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ASIA • ECOSYSTEM ENABLER & INVESTMENT
Saniya Giniatullina
JUNE 21, 2019
Starting on 2nd May 2019 in Phnom Penh, SmartScale powered by Seedstars gathered 11 early-stage startups in a three-month acceleration program fuelled by 20+ international and local high-level mentors and an ambitious curriculum program.
The goal of the initiative is to prepare the participating startups to raise funding while also to provide the opportunity to receive investment from the program partners. With the demo day approaching at the end of July, let’s have a deeper look into the workings of the program.
The program covers topics including how to target customers and identify their pains, growth strategies and implementation of the AARRR funnel, and finally, fundraising strategy, process, cap table and negotiations, all specifically designed using lean and growth methodologies to help startups scale faster and hit their next investment milestone quicker. The format proposes a fresh sequence of sessions, such as dynamic workshops with local and international mentors, dedicated 1:1 meetings with entrepreneurs in residence, exclusive ecosystem dinners, interactive role-plays with customer interviews, and allocated help desk times.
Unveiling for the first time the participating startups, we’re proud to announce the 11 that we trust to be the next high-growth companies in the region:
The accelerator is also supported by key enablers Development Innovations (DI) and Smart Axiata and jointly operated by Mekong Strategic Partners (MSP) and Seedstars. Bora Kem, Partner at MSP says:
“Mentorship and technical support are crucial for a startup’s long-term success. With SmartScale, we will provide startups with experienced local mentors while partnering with Seedstars to deliver the best-in-class global startup program. We hope to facilitate regional interests in Cambodian startups and to bring them to the global stage."
“After having had the opportunity to work with a dozen of startups last year in a 3-day bootcamp and a pitch competition, which resulted in Seedstars investing in a local delivery startup called Joonaak, we are excited to be back. While the Cambodian startup ecosystem is nascent, the local founders are exceptionally driven and willing to learn. We are excited to contribute to this ecosystem and to the growth of this batch of startups together with strong local and global partners.”
Adriana Collini, Program Manager of SmartScale
The end of the program will be marked by a demo day on the 25th of July. This day will not only give investors the opportunity to get to know the startups in SmartScale, but give international players an introduction to the local startup ecosystem and provide connections to all important players in Cambodia - startups, investors, accelerators, corporates, and the government.
