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IMNEt Successfully Empowers Women Entrepreneurs Through Inclusive Mentorship

Cambodia
Entrepreneurial ecosystems
24.02.2025
The Enhancing Entrepreneurial Ecosystem and Investments initiative (3Ei), in collaboration with the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF) and Impact Hub Phnom Penh, successfully concluded the pilot phase of Inclusive Mentoring Network for Entrepreneurs (IMNEt) Program. This initiative, designed to empower women entrepreneurs and foster gender inclusivity within Cambodia's entrepreneurial ecosystem, held the closing events for the 2024 IMNEt cohort on 12th February 2025 in Battambang and 14th February 2025 in Siem Reap.

IMNEt was launched in response to the findings of the Gender Lens Investing (GLI) Landscape Study conducted in 2023, which highlighted the need for a strong mentorship network to support women entrepreneurs. One of the key recommendations from the study was the establishment of a structured mentorship platform, emphasizing the importance of experienced mentors, particularly female mentors, who can guide and empower aspiring women entrepreneurs.

"While entrepreneurial support is growing in Cambodia, much of it is concentrated in Phnom Penh. Through IMNEt, we aim to address this gap by empowering women-led businesses in the provinces by building a skilled pool of mentors in Siem Reap and Battambang to support women-owned micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). IMNEt is not just about enhancing the skills of mentors and mentees; it’s about igniting a culture of giving back, where being a mentor is seen as both aspirational and rewarding."
Etsuko Ito, Program Officer, Social Innovation Program, Sasakawa Peace Foundation.

Throughout the program’s pilot phase in 2024, IMNEt identified and trained a cohort of 25 mentors—13 in Siem Reap and 12 in Battambang—equipping them with the necessary skills to provide effective guidance and support to women entrepreneurs. The training emphasized coaching techniques, active listening, and gender-sensitive mentorship practices tailored to the unique challenges women entrepreneurs face. Notably, 72% of the trained mentors were female, further strengthening the support network for women-led businesses.

"This experience has been invaluable for my growth, enhancing my empathy and listening skills, which I now apply in my work with teachers and staff. Mentorship isn’t just about advice or problem-solving—it helps mentees unlock their full potential. I encourage SME owners and entrepreneurs to join as mentors. In mentorship, you give, and in return, you gain."
Vannak Soth, Director at Australia Pacific International School, mentor in Siem Reap.
"Joining IMNEt as a mentor helped me understand the importance of giving back. Before, I wanted to share my business experience but lacked a platform. Through this program, I learned to structure my insights better and support my mentee’s growth more effectively."
Siev Somalin, Owner of Kromuon Chort Takadia, mentor in Battambang.

To enhance practical learning, IMNEt has implemented a structured matchmaking process that pairs mentors and mentees based on their specific needs, mentoring styles, and industry relevance. Mentors actively apply the knowledge gained from the training through hands-on mentoring, guiding mentees in navigating real-world business challenges. This approach not only cultivates meaningful and productive relationships but also strengthens a professional mentor network, fostering a sustainable support system for mentees.

"When I joined the IMNEt program, I needed support with trademark registration and increasing sales. After being matched with my mentor, we built trust and openly discussed my challenges. Through this mentorship, I successfully completed the trademark registration process. Beyond that, I have gained confidence in public speaking, articulating my thoughts, and introducing both myself and my brand to other business owners."
Morokot Khoy, Owner of The Diamond Angkor Scrub and Spa, mentee in Siem Reap.
"My mentor guided me in marketing and helped improve my communication skills—both essential for engaging customers and stakeholders effectively. To new business owners and entrepreneurs, don’t hesitate to seek support. Mentors listen, guide, and push you toward your goals."
Sopheak Eang, Founder of Next Gen Development Center, mentee in Battambang.

The IMNEt closing events in Siem Reap and Battambang marked the conclusion for the 2024 cohort, providing a platform to reflect on the program’s impact, share best practices, and explore pathways for sustaining inclusive mentorship. The events featured insights and lessons learned from IMNEt, including discussions on mentorship principles, a panel on unlocking potential and empowering entrepreneurial growth, group discussions on mentorship’s role in fostering sustainable growth, and a moderated reflection session where mentors and mentees shared their experiences and recommendations. The program concluded with a certificate presentation ceremony recognizing the contributions of mentors.

IMNEt has set a strong foundation for inclusive mentorship in Cambodia’s entrepreneurial landscape. As the program for the 2024 cohort concludes, discussions are underway on how to sustain and expand mentorship initiatives to further support women entrepreneurs in 2025.

The Sasakawa Peace Foundation, 3Ei, and Impact Hub Phnom Penh remain committed to fostering collaboration among ecosystem actors to ensure that the momentum built through IMNEt continues to drive impact in the long term. By strengthening mentorship networks and creating opportunities for women entrepreneurs to thrive, IMNEt has made a lasting contribution to building a more inclusive and supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem in Cambodia.

The Inclusive Mentoring Network for Entrepreneurs (IMNEt) Program, co-designed and co-implemented by Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF) and the Enhancing Entrepreneurial Ecosystem and Investments project (3Ei) of Swisscontact Cambodia and Impact Hub Phnom Penh.

The event was covered by the following media: 

2023 - 2027
Cambodia
Entrepreneurial ecosystems
Enhancing Entrepreneurial Ecosystem and Investments (3Ei)
The overall goal of the 3Ei is for the private sector to actively contribute to Cambodia's socio-economic development and attain the goals of the SDGs. The achievement of this overall goal will be driven by two outcomes. Outcome 1: Enhanced coordination, and collaboration within the entrepreneurial ecosystem; and Outcome 2: Increased business performance and investments in the ecosystem and impact enterprises.
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