Economy Ministry Launches Startup Investment Package Program Cohort 2

PHNOM PENH – The Secretariat of the Entrepreneurship Development Fund (EDF) of the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) on Aug. 20, 2026, launched the “Startup Investment Package Program Cohort 2” (SIPP 2) and celebrated startups that secured equity investment under SIPP Cohort 1.

The launch workshop, held at Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh, was presided over by Meas Soksensan, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Economy and Finance. The event brought together approximately 278 participants, including leaders from relevant ministries and institutions, entrepreneurial support organizations, private sector representatives, development partners, educational institutions, startups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Alongside the launch of Cohort 2, EDF officially announced and congratulated the startups that received formal equity investment under SIPP Cohort 1.

During Cohort 1, the program received approximately 80 applications from startups and SMEs. Following a multistage screening process, 12 businesses were shortlisted for interviews, five were selected for due diligence, and two successfully secured equity investment packages from EDF.

Providing equity investment to startups and SMEs represents a new mechanism that complements the Royal Government’s existing initiatives to promote development and strengthen the resilience of the private sector.

Building upon the successful implementation of Cohort 1, EDF is rolling out SIPP Cohort 2 to further address a key challenge faced by many startups and SMEs on limited access to investment capital during business expansion phases. This program is specifically designed in alignment with the Royal Government’s recent official launch of the “National Strategy on Startup Development 2026–2030” on 11 August 2026. The National Strategy aims to "develop an enabling and well-connected startup ecosystem in Cambodia that supports startups at every stage of their journey to start, grow, expand markets, access capital, build the capacity to compete in domestic, regional and international markets, and increase the contribution of startups in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Through equity investment, EDF serves as a public catalytic investor, addressing financing gaps and mobilizing private sector investment into startups and SMEs.

SIPP Cohort 2 is structured to mitigate operational and transition risks for startups and SMEs during their shift from imported raw materials to local inputs, as well as piloting digital value chain integration and market expansion. Program implementation will focus on key thematic areas, including: (1) Promoting the utilization and diversification of local products to reduce dependency on imported raw materials and foreign products; (2) Advancing digital value chains to structure end-to-end production operations ranging from raw material supply, manufacturing, processing andninventory management to logistics; and (3) Leveraging e-commerce platforms to achieve broader and more efficient market expansion.

The program will provide equity financing to high-potential startups and SMEs that require additional growth capital and are currently in market testing, early-stage operations, operational scaling, or business expansion phases. Beyond capital injection, the program offers comprehensive support, including rigorous business valuation, in-depth due diligence, investment portfolio monitoring and management, and advisory services to strengthen corporate governance, improve operational management, and foster sustainable business growth.

For further details regarding application criteria and timelines, interested members of the public, startups and SMEs are invited to follow the official announcements of the Entrepreneurship Development Fund. Applications for Cohort 2 are scheduled to open in September 2026.