A 6-month leadership program to develop students' entrepreneurial mindsets and turn their tech startup ideas into reality
students supported since 2017
cohorts of digital innovators
Kickstarting the next big tech idea
The SmartStart Young Innovator Program (YIP) turns great ideas into actual tech enterprises. We have supported 580 university students over 5 cohorts of SmartStart YIP between 2017 and 2022, and in the process, helped launch dozens of cutting-edge ventures that are making their mark on Cambodia’s tech landscape.
The program, designed for Cambodian university students with a passion for entrepreneurship and digitalization, helped them launch their digital startups through hands-on learning experiences, mentorship, networking, and financial support.
A Hands-On Learning and Doing Experience
1. Hatch and Digithon
We started by selecting 120 motivated university students for each cohort. They went through a series of knockout rounds, including YIP’s hallmark ‘Hatch’ and ‘Digithon’ challenges that helped participants form teams, refine their ideas, and practice pitching their concepts.
2. Technopreneurship Challenge
The 15 most promising teams were invited for a 5-day immersion into the fundamentals of ideating and growing a digital startup. They received business and technical mentorship throughout the bootcamp as they worked on their first prototypes and pitched to a panel of judges.
3. Internship and Incubation Experience
Five outstanding teams per cohort were selected for a three-month paid internship. We placed them with leading digital and tech startups, which offered real working experience in Cambodia’s thriving startup ecosystem. At the same time, they received support (mentorship, co-working space, masterclasses, and more) from Impact Hub Phnom Penh as they worked to develop their own business prototype.
4. Grand Final Pitch
At the end of the internship, teams showcased their progress and the top startup was selected by judges to receive a $6,000-$10,000 grant to continue working on their business ideas — a transformational investment that allowed the team to bring their idea to fruition.
Meet the inspiring changemakers
YourSpace
YourSpace
YourSpace is an online local parking platform which connects people who want to rent out their unused space with people looking for available space.
Homatic
Homatic
Homatic provides an automated home security system that detects burglars in action and alerts local police.
Kela
Kela
Kela is a platform that allows users to search sports venues, teammates, opponents close to their current location, and facilities available, based on sport type.
Berries (Skinorea)
Berries (Skinorea)
Berries is a mobile skincare marketplace application for Gen Z that supports users in making the best skincare choices through machine learning.
iCompost
iCompost
iCompost is a smart waste recycling machine that transforms daily food kitchen waste into nutrient-rich compost to feed indoor and outdoor plants.
Sers Chborng
Sers Chborng
Sers Chborng is a mobile application where students can find mentors in order to get some useful advice when applying for scholarships, exchange programs, and competitions.
Kakvei
Kakvei
Kakvei is an AI technology that improves Khmer writing by converting Khmer romanization (ex: Nhom Der Leng) to Khmer Script (ខ្ញុំដើ រលេ ង) automatically while correcting grammar and spelling mistakes.
Homex
Homex
Homex is a mobile application that connects reliable technicians with people who have household problems.
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