Impact Hub Phnom Penh and Smart Axiata are proud to introduce you to an entrepreneurship program dedicated to building meaningful social ventures that can contribute to the global sustainable development goals (SDGs).

SmartSpark is a 10-week startup program to introduce the key concepts of social entrepreneurship to people with the ambition of turning their innovative idea into a business that will tackle Cambodia’s biggest challenges. Each of the SmartSpark cohorts will focus on a different set of Sustainable Development Goals  (SDGs). The aim is to help them turn creative ideas into viable businesses and innovative solutions!

“SmartSpark will help you to transform your ideas into the prototype and get your first customer on board.”

Spanning three years and with a total of nine cohorts, SmartSpark aims to incubate a total of around 50 impact ventures.

Each cohort focuses on a different set of SDGs and tailors the support, expertise, mentoring and network to provide teams with the best chance of success. Smart Axiata and Impact Hub Phnom Penh have been carefully selecting the best teams and most innovative ideas that have the potential to have a real impact in Cambodia by contributing to the global goals.

During the program, selected teams of aspiring entrepreneurs will have access to inspiring workspace, a local and global network, mentoring and coaching, and workshops and tailored business support.

Each cohort will end with a Pitching Day, giving teams the opportunity to pitch their ideas to a panel of judges and audiences. Judges will select one winning team and the winning team will receive $3,000 to continue to work on and grow their startup, as well as continued support from Impact Hub Phnom Penh.

(August 2018 – December 2018)

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(December 2018 – March 2019)

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(March 2019 – August 2019)

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(August 2019 – December 2019)

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(December 2019 – June 2020)

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(October 2020 – January 2021)

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(October 2020 – January 2021)

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(June 2021 – October 2021)

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(Dec 2021 – March 2022)

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“ Tackling the Sustainable Development Goals through entrepreneurship”

Sudrian

(The winner of cohort 1)

Inclusion Plus

(The winner of cohort 2)

Compost City

(The winner of cohort 3)

Tinky Bike

(The winner of cohort 4)

Eco-bricks

(The winner of cohort 5)

Green Terrace

(The winner of cohort 6)

Adfident

(The winner of cohort 7)

Surgarpads

(The winner of cohort 8)

Coming Soon

(The winner of cohort 9)

“Our team failed SmartSpark 5 because our idea was too impractical, however even though we failed the program the IHPP team invited us over to join a session on how to write a great SmartSpark application, so we applied again with our new refined idea. Finally we won SmartSpark 6.”

– Virak Ratha, Green Terrace (SmartSpark Cohort 6’s winner)

 

“After the three months of training, we have met with so many amazing individuals from Impact and other SmartSpark teams. Xpanz is really grateful for everyone who has assisted and guided us on this journey to where we are today. We have learnt so much from finding our revenue stream to adjusting our social media page and connecting with different people in the enterprise sector. Even if we didn’t win the grant, you have given us the motivation to continue on our project and we hope you would continue your support for us.”

– Nady, Xpanz (SmartSpark Cohort 6’s participant)

 

“It is a good program that helps small enterprises and startups to kick start their business. I want the program to keep continuing and help the entrepreneurs.”

– Sok Thy – Eco-Bricks (SmartSpark Cohort 5’s winner)

 

“The program is eye-opening because I learned a lot, especially about business. I recommend it to others who want to run a business.”

– Chanthy Bun, TIPs, (SmartSpark Cohort 4’s participant)