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Since its inception, the EBN platform has been instrumental in fostering collaboration between government agencies, development partners and ecosystem builders. With 38 institutions participating in nine meetings to date, EBN has created a dynamic space for aligning efforts, identifying market gaps, and driving meaningful change. This ongoing collaboration has culminated in the development of an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Roadmap, overseen by a dedicated ten-member working group.
The roadmap consolidates extensive data collected from entrepreneurial support organisations (ESOs), investors, development partners, government agencies and over 400 surveyed SMEs. It also incorporates the Gender Lens Investing Landscape Study in Cambodia, conducted by the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF) and Swisscontact, to enhance the inclusivity of Cambodia's entrepreneurial ecosystem. Insights from these stakeholders were integrated into actionable plans categorised into short, medium and long term recommendations. The EBN 10 meeting was a pivotal moment to validate these refined recommendations and identify key stakeholders ready to drive implementation.
The event's group discussions provided important feedback on how to strengthen Cambodia's entrepreneurial ecosystem. Recommendations presented focused on standardising programme frameworks, expanding rural support, and engaging the diaspora to build a resilient network. Access to finance emerged as a priority, with calls for improved investment readiness programmes, tailored financing models, and better coordination of grant schemes, particularly for women and marginalised groups. To improve market access, discussions proposed a national market expansion programme to help SMEs meet certification and environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards while integrating into global value chains. Cultural barriers were addressed through initiatives to promote entrepreneurial success stories, normalise failure and expand mentorship for women, youth and marginalised groups. Aligning human capital with market needs was another critical theme, highlighting the need for enhanced entrepreneurship education, industry-aligned training, and data-driven curriculum reforms. Finally, policy improvements were urged, including clearer definitions of entrepreneurship, streamlined business processes and better coordination between national and local governments.
Throughout 2024, EBN events engaged 69 participants, with 100% reporting satisfaction with the platform. As the 2025 Roadmap draws to a close, EBN remains committed to fostering collaboration and translating strategic recommendations into tangible results. By strengthening partnerships and ensuring coordinated action, EBN continues to play a critical role in shaping Cambodia's entrepreneurial landscape for sustainable growth and impact.
Ecosystem Builder Network (EBN) is an initiative, in collaboration with Khmer Enterprise and Swisscontact, under the Collaboration pillar of the Enhancing Entrepreneurial Ecosystem and Investments (3Ei) funded by Khmer Enterprise (KE), Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).
You can read more about the event at Cambodia Investment Review: Cambodia’s 2025 Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Roadmap (EBN) Sets Stage for Inclusive Growth and Regional Expansion.