The National University of Battambang (NUBB) witnessed an exciting display of innovation and entrepreneurial spirit as it hosted the final pitch event of the Startup Launchpad Food Edition 2025. Organized with the support of Khmer Enterprise and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) through its Peace Village Project, the event showcased groundbreaking food product ideas from university students, aiming to spark a new wave of food innovation in Cambodia.
Presiding over the event were prominent dignitaries including Chhieng Vanmunin, Delegate of the Royal Government and CEO of Khmer Enterprise, and Puth Hemonna, Undersecretary of State from the Ministry of Rural Development. Also present were Sok Khorn, Rector of the National University of Battambang, and Moon Jung Choi, KOICA Cambodia Country Director, along with professors, local entrepreneurs, and more than 350 enthusiastic undergraduate students.
In his keynote address, Vanmunin emphasized the broader impact of food innovation:
“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.”
Rector Sok Khorn reiterated the university’s commitment to cultivating entrepreneurial talent:
“The Startup Launchpad Food Edition 2025 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 the food sector.”
KOICA Cambodia Country Director Moon Jung Choi highlighted the synergy between food innovation and rural development:
“KOICA is implementing the Peace Village Project in northwestern Cambodia to promote inclusive and sustainable rural development. This competition provided a platform for students and young entrepreneurs to develop innovative food products that add value to local agricultural resources. KOICA awarded 20 million Khmer Riel in seed funding to the 3 winners, recognizing their potential to launch viable startups.”
About the Startup Launchpad Food Edition 2025
The program, now in its second phase, brought together 11 teams comprising 47 participants, all working to create market-ready food innovations. Each team underwent a 16-week pre-incubation training program focusing on entrepreneurship and food product development. This initiative aimed to foster innovation in food processing and build sustainable, scalable business models.
The Final Pitching Day held on June 27 at NUBB featured a diverse array of innovative food concepts, including:
- Probiotic Gummies (Hygiene)
- Green Chips (MTE)
- Healthy Tea (P2H)
- Lotus Powder (Chouk Eak)
- Cashew Milk Drink (Cashew)
- Vegetable Fish-Powdered Chips (HYFP)
- Mango Jam (MoJar)
- Cream Puff (Angkea Bos)
- Tofu Balls (V-Healthy)
- Jelly Fiber (Phalla)
- Probiotic Drinks (Kambucha)
Following rigorous evaluation by a panel of judges, the top three winners were announced:
- 🏆 Winner: P2H – Healthy Tea
- 🥈 1st Runner-Up: Kambucha – Probiotic Drinks
- 🥉 2nd Runner-Up: HYFP – Vegetable Fish-Powdered Chips
Each winning team received 20 million Khmer Riel in seed funding, along with continued support to advance their startup journeys.
A Catalyst for Food-Based Startups in Cambodia
With rising demand for ready-to-eat and health-conscious food products, Cambodia’s agri-food industry is rapidly emerging as a key driver of national development. Programs like the Startup Launchpad Food Edition help unlock local talent and promote the transformation of agricultural products into value-added food innovations.
By empowering university students with entrepreneurial skills and real-world startup experience, the initiative plays a pivotal role in nurturing the next generation of food entrepreneurs who can contribute to Cambodia’s economy, especially within small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
This impactful initiative stands as a testament to the strategic collaboration between academia, government, and international partners—Khmer Enterprise and KOICA—working together to build a more innovative and inclusive future for Cambodia.
