Battambang, Cambodia - 27 June 2025, National University of Battambang (NUBB) hosted a Startup Launchpad Food Edition 2025 final pitch with the support from Khmer Enterprise and Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA)-Peace Village Project. The event was presided over by H.E. Dr. Chhieng Vanmunin, Delegate of the Royal Government and Chief Executive Officer of Khmer Enterprise, and H.E. Puth Hemonna, Undersecretary of State of the ministry of rural development.
Joining the ceremony were H.E. Sok Khorn, Rector of the National University of Battambang, and Mrs. Moon Jung Choi, KOICA Cambodia Country Director, alongside faculty professors, local SME owners, and over 350 undergraduate students.
Applauding the initiative stated in his keynote remark, H.E. Dr. Vanmunin Chhieng - Delegate of the Royal Government in charge as Chief Executive Officer of Khmer Enterprise continued “Food innovation isn’t just about coming up with new products—it’s about opening doors for entrepreneurs, building an entrepreneurial spirit, and boosting local economies. This program is a first step, but it’s a great start to create food innovation in universities.”
H.E. Sok Khorn, Rector of National University of Battambang, added ”The Startup Launchpad Food Edition 2025" is hosted by National University of Battambang and supported by Khmer Enterprise and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA)-Peace Village Project. This competition is specifically designed to foster food product innovation and cultivate entrepreneurship among university students and small food industries. It plays a key role in promoting innovation and significantly boosts the pipeline of aspiring startups in food sector.’’
Mrs. Moon Jung Choi, KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency) Cambodia Country Director said “KOICA is implementing the Peace Village Project in northwestern Cambodia to promote inclusive and sustainable rural development in partnership with the Ministry of Rural Development. As part of this initiative, KOICA supported the Startup Launchpad: Food Edition 2025, in collaboration with the National University of Battambang and Khmer Enterprise. The competition provided a platform for students and young entrepreneurs to develop innovative food products that add value to local agricultural resources. KOICA awards 20 Million Khmer Riel in seed funding to the 3 winners, recognizing their potential to launch viable startups. This initiative reflects KOICA’s broader goals of enhancing food security, increasing rural incomes, and empowering communities through innovation.”
About Startup LaunchPad Food Edition Phase II
A total of 11 groups, comprising 47 participants, joined the competition as part of a program aimed at developing innovative business concepts in food processing. The goal is to promote innovation in food processing and support entrepreneurship by developing sustainable, scalable, and market-ready business ideas. Students will undergo a 16-week pre-incubation training program focused on entrepreneurship. Upon completion, they are expected to develop a product prototype and take part in exposure visits, leading up to their participation in the final pitching competition. This program provides students with the opportunity to showcase new food concept ideas, playing a vital role in fostering innovation and potentially increasing the number of emerging startups in the food processing industry.
The Agri-Food industry is a key driver of national development, contributing to the creation of innovative products that support the growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to meet both local and international market demands, thereby boosting the country's economic progress. The rising demand for ready-to-eat food products—driven by changing lifestyles, the growth of nuclear families, and expanding opportunities for businesses in the processed food sector.
There are 11 food products developed with innovative business ideas by the participating teams in the competition.
Group 1: Hygiene product: Probiotics Gummies
Group 2: MTE product: Green Chips
Group 3: P2H product: Healthy Tea
Group 4: Chouk Eak product: Lotus Powder
Group 5: Cashew product: Cashew Milk Drink
Group 6: HYFP product: Vegetable Fish-Powdered Chip
Group 7: MoJar product: Mango Jam
Group 8: Angkea Bos product: Cream Puff
Group 9: V-Healthy product: Tofu ball
Group 10: Phalla product: Jelly Fiber
Group 11: Kambucha product: Probiotic Drinks
The Final Pitching Day for the group competition took place on June 27th, 2025, at the National University of Battambang. In the end, the program will select 3 winning teams, each of which will receive continued support for their new business startups along with funding of 20,000,000 Khmer Riel.
The 3 Prizes are distributed to
π Winner: P2H – Healthy Tea
π₯ 1st Runner-Up: Kambucha– Probiotic Drink
π₯ 2nd Runner-Up: Haiyat Fish Powder – Vegetable fish-powdered chips
This prestigious event is made possible through the generous support and collaboration of Khmer Enterprise and KOICA-Peace Village Project. Their commitment to fostering innovation, entrepreneurial education, and sustainable development continues to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs in Cambodia.
