Innovation and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem in Cambodia: The Roles of Academic Institutions[1]
Numerous studies have identified the importance of healthy entrepreneurial ecosystems (EEs) in stimulating and sustaining innovation and entrepreneurship (Stam and Spigel 2016; Lundvall 2010; Sternberg 2007). Local EEs are made up of both formal and informal institutions, which include legal, economic, institutional, political, social and cultural factors. Higher education institutions (HEIs) are crucial to these ecosystems (Spigel 2017; Kalyoncuoğlu, Aydıntan and Göksel 2017). As well as providing various supports, which include funding and incubation programs, HEIs create a space at the soft skills level that inspires entrepreneurial spirit and influences entrepreneurial orientation (Secundo and Elia 2014; Ferrandiz, Fidel and Conchado 2018). Part of this support, and part of cultivating entrepreneurial spirit, is the development of entrepreneurial competencies and the inclusion of entrepreneurial initiatives in HEI curriculums. Yet, although media and research reports (Kem et al. 2019, 3) have explored the development of the digital startup ecosystem and the role of universities in such development (Sam and Dahles 2017), meaningful literature and research overviewing the entrepreneurship and innovation landscape in Cambodia beyond the technology sector is lacking (Lyne 2012).
4. The entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem
4.1 Government, information, laws and regulations
A consistent barrier and challenge identified by nearly all participants was the lack of government transparency. Access to accurate, up-to-date information about laws and regulations was consistently highlighted as not only difficult, but also a barrier to the growth of entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems in Cambodia.
4.2 Access to finance
The challenge of attracting investors was emphasised by at least seven interviewees who were involved in the technology sector, specifically in robotics, bioengineering and mobile applications. One participant who had launched a startup in North America and then moved to Cambodia highlighted cross-country differences in innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems. He noted that had he launched his startup in Cambodia, it would not have developed to the extent it has today. This is due to the lack of opportunity and funding for young innovators in Cambodia.
4.3 Talents and skills for entrepreneurship
We understand the association between education and entrepreneurship from our observations and literature review. All interviewees supported the important roles of HEIs in promoting the EE. In reality, however, these roles are limited for several reasons. First, “achieving a cohesive ecosystem for entrepreneurship is still a challenge” because of “bottlenecks in human resources”, remarked the female CEO of a major company involved in agricultural technology and higher education (KI8). Another CEO and founder of a co-working space and incubator added:
We teach people to do what they’re told. From pre-school to university, you are told what to learn and when to learn it based on an academic calendar. So, it shuts down the autonomous part of our brain. That’s why people in the first three months of their job here are encouraged to read books, any book. It’s one of their job requirements. After two to six months, some people become their own boss. (KI6)
4.4 Innovation at universities
We examined innovation in terms of curriculum, entrepreneurship support services and university-industry linkages at two academic institutions in Phnom Penh. Between 2017 and 2019, several large projects that support entrepreneurship, business incubation and university-industry relations were initiated at RUPP. The university’s engagement in supporting entrepreneurship started with its postgraduate program on Social Enterprise at the Faculty of Development Studies, an innovative solution for sustainable development, moving away from reliance on charitable and foreign aid to business mechanisms. Several national and international conferences on social enterprise and innovation have been held since 2011. Explicit entrepreneurship courses offered in at least three different faculties, and the government-funded Techo Start-up Centre, indicate a university-wide approach to supporting the EE. Box 1 summarises the rapid development and milestones of the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem at RUPP.
Understanding the role and challenges of young entrepreneurs in Cambodia with Rithy Thul[2]
Fate made us meet Rithy Thul, co-founder of Smallworld Cambodia. He told us that he is a guy who enjoys riding bicycle, exploring and testing new startup ideas. But we know he is also one of the promoters of the growing startup ecosystem in Phnom Penh.
Although we would have liked to interview him in video, we met each other once we had left Cambodia. However, we did not want to miss the opportunity to know his point of view about the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Cambodia and, above all, understand the role and challenges of young entrepreneurs in Cambodia.
Q: First of all, how is the startup ecosystem in Cambodia compared to other countries in Southeast Asia?
[1] Sothy Khieng et al, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem in Cambodia: The Roles of Academic Institution, CDRI, (Oct. 2019) https://cdri.org.kh/wp-content/uploads/WP118-innovation-and-Enterprenership.pdf
[2] Tamara Lucas, Understanding the role and challenges of young entrepreneurs in Cambodia with Rithy Thul, (Mar. 28, 2016), https://www.2geeks1city.com/en/role-and-challenges-young-entrepreneurs-in-cambodia-rithy-thul/
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