Discover the story of Wisal Hin, a trailblazer in Cambodia’s sustainable development who is transforming the nation through innovative solutions, impact-driven entrepreneurship, and collaboration. Together with Platform-Impact, he champions the Impact Revolution for a better Cambodia.
As the sun rose over Phnom Penh, I met Wisal Hin, the co-founder and Chairman at Platform-Impact, for an inspiring conversation over coffee.
With an impressive background in international development policy, partnership, and business development, Wisal is a true ‘Artisan of Impact’ working to drive the Impact Revolution and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals in Cambodia.
‘Made in Cambodia and exported to France’, Wisal is “un homme révolté”, a rebel who has been on a journey against the odds to bring transformative and positive changes in our society. As viewed by the French philosopher, Albert Camus, a “rebel” is a person who says no, but whose refusal does not imply a renunciation, a person who says yes, from the moment he makes his/her first gesture of rebellion.
With a career spanning over 15 years at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Wisal has engaged with senior government officials and private sector leaders to turn development policies and market dynamics into tangible impact. His experiences range from fostering regional economic and trade cooperation in the Arab States region to leading economic recovery efforts in Pakistan and driving poverty reduction and inclusiveness in Cambodia.
Platform-Impact, the organization Wisal co-founded, is at the forefront of Cambodia’s impact-ecosystem, empowering impact-driven entrepreneurs, investors, and stakeholders to design and accelerate solutions to the country’s most pressing development challenges. By combining development sector expertise, local knowledge, business acumen, and an in-depth understanding of the impact investment market, Platform-Impact is scaling the economic, environmental, and social impact made by local entrepreneurs.
Driven by a mission to create a long-lasting positive impact on entrepreneurs, Wisal and his team at Platform-Impact focus on social entrepreneurs, guiding them to become impact and investment-ready and helping them to leverage resources, networks and new dynamics.
The organization was created to tackle the scale and severity of the social and environmental issues by “ingraining impact in our approach to investment”. Supported by impact driven entrepreneurs and investors, Platform-Impact is shaping the vibrant ecosystem in Cambodia by optimizing risk–return–impact performance.
Wisal believes that while competition is essential, collective action and collaboration are equally important for businesses and the betterment of people and communities. Impact investors are interested in these aspects, prioritizing positive impact over mere profit. Platform-Impact’s PRISME program, supported by Khmer Enterprise, is an example of this approach.
The program helps Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to become investment-ready over an eight-month period, with a second season focusing on under-growth SMEs. Platform-Impact relies on networks and resources from local and international investors, as well as government support.
My conversation with Wisal was a testament to how life experiences shape one’s contribution to the community and the nation. His passion for promoting positive change in Cambodia was evident throughout our discussion.
As we look forward to collaborating with Wisal and his team, we hope to help mitigate negative narratives about Cambodia and bring positivity among the people while supporting community development and the country’s growth. With visionaries like Wisal Hin leading the charge, a brighter, better Cambodia is on the horizon.
Connect with Wisal : https://www.linkedin.com/in/wisal-hin-48a4a1100/
