Two startups receive EDF equity investment

Two Cambodian startups, KrubKrong and Chlat, have been selected to receive equity investment from the Entrepreneurship Development Fund (EDF) under the first cohort of its Startup Investment Package Program (SIPP 1), marking a new financing mechanism for high-potential businesses.

The investment agreement was signed between Vice Chairman of the Secretariat of the EDF Aun Pornmonireachsak and representatives of KrubKrong and Chlat during the official launch of the Startup Investment Package Program Cohort 2 (SIPP 2), witnessed by the Secretary of State of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Meas Soksensan, in Phnom Penh on August 20.

According to an EDF announcement on Friday, the investment is part of its efforts to support high-potential startups in strengthening their operations, expanding their businesses and pursuing sustainable growth.

Under SIPP 1, the programme received approximately 80 applications from startups and SMEs. Following a multi-stage screening process, 12 businesses were shortlisted for interviews, while five were selected for due diligence before KrubKrong and Chlat successfully secured equity investment packages from EDF.

The provision of equity investment to startups and SMEs served as a new financing mechanism complementing the Royal Government’s existing initiatives to support business development and strengthen the resilience of the private sector.

Building on the implementation of SIPP 1, EDF is rolling out SIPP 2 to further address limited access to investment capital, a key challenge faced by many startups and SMEs during their business expansion.

The programme is aligned with the National Strategy on Startup Development 2026-2030, officially launched on August 11. The strategy aims to create an enabling and well-connected startup ecosystem that supports businesses at every stage, from establishment and growth to market expansion and access to capital.

It also seeks to strengthen the capacity of Cambodian startups to compete in domestic, regional and international markets while increasing their contribution to economic growth. Through equity investment, EDF serves as a public catalytic investor, helping address financing gaps while mobilising private-sector investment into startups and SMEs.