ANGKOR 500, an initiative to grow Cambodian startups created in partnership by San Francisco-based venture capital firm 500 Startups and Khmer Enterprise, has opened a call for applications for the kingdom’s tech startups to participate in a programme that aims to scale their businesses to international markets.

The Globalisation Accelerator Programme is open to all growth-stage Cambodian tech startups with full-time employees who are interested in exploring international markets.

According to Khmer Enterprise, a government-funded startup platform created to promote entrepreneurial activity in the kingdom, the Globalisation Accelerator Programme will offer specialised training in two areas.

The first area will focus on international growth and offer mentorship from 500 Startups on growth frameworks, increasing customer bases and building repeatable processes and systems.

The second area will focus on improving capital, presentation and storytelling and will prepare startups for interacting with international investors by focusing on negotiation skills.

According to an ANGKOR 500 representative, the training programme will offer a hybrid approach of face-to-face meetings and virtual meetings conducted by 500 Startup mentors from the United States and the region.

Christine Tsai, the chief executive officer of 500 Startups, said: “Amidst profound challenges throughout the world, we are grateful to partner with Khmer Enterprise to advance our mission of uplifting economies and people around the world through entrepreneurship. Cambodia’s economy and talent are at an inflection point for rapid growth, and we are confident that this programme will help local founders to build strong companies that will push the boundaries of what is possible.”

Vongsey Vissoth, secretary of state of the Ministry of Economy and Finance as well as chairman of the Entrepreneurship Development Fund, highlighted that this programme will ignite Cambodia’s vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem with a broader base of digital enterprises, despite operational challenges during the Covid-19 pandemic.

He said in November last year the programme is intended to serve as a gateway for business founders to gear themselves up for the tech industry and entrepreneurs will be able to plug into regional startups ecosystems.Applications are open until June 12 and the programme will start in July. Applicants are urged to visit the ANGKOR 500 Facebook page for more information.

• Tags: ANGKOR 500, startups