Masterclass

Background

Entrepreneurial ecosystems are intricate networks that require specific actors and activities to support enterprises throughout their lifecycle, from ideation to growth and sustainability. Building these ecosystems takes decades, and many, particularly in emerging markets, are not yet self-sustaining. To address this, the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Pillar is based on the success of SECO’s Swiss Entrepreneurship Program (Swiss EP), implemented by Swisscontact.

Under this pillar, the 3Ei initiative launched the Strengthen Entrepreneurship and Innovation (SEI) brand, which aims to enhance the capacity of Entrepreneur Support Organizations (ESOs) to deliver high-quality services to entrepreneurs. One key component of the SEI brand is the Masterclass, which focuses on incubator and accelerator excellence. In collaboration with St. Gallen University, the Masterclass will equip local ESOs with the necessary skills to become trainers, ensuring the long-term sustainability of the ecosystem.

Objectives of Masterclass

• Facilitating for Service Improvement: As part of the commitment to enhancing services for startups and entrepreneurs, SEI introduces Masterclass, a tailored support program that aligns with the Cambodian context. This program targets incubators and accelerators, equipping them with the necessary tools, insights, and expertise to improve their service offerings. By nurturing the growth of these support organizations, we bolster the success of the startups they serve.
• Recruitment and Strategic Collaboration: Masterclass aims to recruit Local Entrepreneur Support Organization (ESO) to collaborate on the design and implementation of the Masterclass, effectively enabling them to provide tailored inclusive accelerator curriculum to support entrepreneurs, particularly those in micro- and small enterprises, in accelerating their business growth toward formal business readiness. This collaboration will be enhanced with mentoring support from St. Gallen University.
• Knowledge Management and Future Application: The Masterclass experience will be leveraged by capturing and managing key insights and lessons learned, documenting them as part of a comprehensive knowledge management strategy. This will generate valuable recommendations and resources for future curriculum design and program implementation, enhancing the initiative's long-term impact on supporting entrepreneurship.

Vision

Empowering local entrepreneur support organizations to deliver an inclusive curriculum that accelerates the growth of micro- and small enterprises toward formal business readiness. Through a collaborative approach with the University of St. Gallen, we aim to equip entrepreneurs with the tools and knowledge needed for sustainable success, while laying the foundation for a future Train-the-Trainer (ToT) program that will amplify our impact across the entrepreneurial ecosystem.