Cambodia & Entrepreneurship: Grand Business Awards 2025 — When CCIFC crowns the Bold

The event crowned three winners across three categories — Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), New Company or Activity, and Businesswoman. On that occasion, the French Ambassador to Cambodia, Olivier Richard, emphatically reaffirmed the exceptional tenacity and vitality of the French-Cambodian business community, a true pillar of bilateral economic dynamism. Meanwhile, Cyril Girot, president of the CCIFC, warmly thanked the participants and sponsors for the enthusiastic turnout.

La Plantation, a sustainable and committed pioneer

Backed by BRED Bank Cambodia, the CSR category honoured the most daring social initiatives — those reshaping the contours of human-centred, responsible entrepreneurship. Among Archi Solidaire, Kampuchea Sëla Handicap and La Plantation, the latter prevailed.

Founded in 2013 as a bold Franco-Belgian family project in Kampot, the company has become a leading producer of premium spices — notably the internationally acclaimed Kampot AOP pepper — all while supporting some fifty local farms via fair-trade practices characterised by transparency and social responsibility.

But its true jewel lies in the “Schools of La Plantation,” a free, innovative educational network serving 300 children from farmer families. These schools offer modern classrooms equipped with interactive boards, daily nutritious meals to combat rural malnutrition, practical agricultural training from an early age to transmit ancestral know-how, as well as generous scholarships for higher education.

This initiative places education at the heart of rural development — breaking cycles of poverty and shaping a sustainable, confident generation rooted in its land. On stage, the charismatic spokesperson Arnaud Vincent embodied this farm-to-table, deeply human vision — an approach that today resonates across Cambodia’s green economy and inspires far beyond national borders.

Colorblind triumphs

Supported by Zeliy Engineering, the “New Company or Activity” category — dedicated to projects launched since 1 January 2025 — spotlighted initiatives with strong differentiation. Colorblind stood out among tough competition: Aquation Hospitality – MAADS, Concorde Consultants, Sol-O-Floor from Group Priority, and Wise by LBL. Founded in 2011 by the elegant and athletic Jean-Benoît Lasselin, this Phnom Penh–based studio has successfully fused French tailoring with Khmer craftsmanship — rich in colours and textures — to create bespoke corporate uniforms: breathable, high-tech fabrics adapted to the tropical climate and ergonomic cuts that combine comfort and elegance.

From its base on Street 57 to national showrooms and regional expansion, Colorblind advances ethical and inclusive fashion in Southeast Asia — marrying disruptive innovation, cultural heritage and international standards — while localising production.

Alix Langlois, the recycling artist — triumph and inspiration

BRED Bank Cambodia also underwrote the Businesswoman Award, aiming to celebrate impact-driven leadership, strategic vision, and extraordinary entrepreneurial commitment. The award was won with distinction by Alix Langlois, charismatic founder of Trash is Nice — outperforming a shortlist of exceptional candidates: Melissa Chenda Ang (co-founder of Blaze Travel & Tours), Sarah Louzioui (CEO of Havas Cambodia), Emmanuelle Mace (General Director of Samanea) and Cécile Dahome (CEO of Sevea).

Since launching in 2019 in the heart of Treellion Park on Koh Pich, this social designer and visionary entrepreneur has transformed tonnes of urban plastic waste into functional objects using the open-source Precious Plastic technology: ingenious self-built machines, inclusive workshops open to all — from children to experienced artisans — and strategic partnerships with luxury hotels, eco-conscious brands and public institutions.

Her green leadership, forged through unflinching entrepreneurial resilience amid Phnom Penh’s logistic challenges, elevates urban recycling to the level of a powerful cultural movement — inspiring and impactful.

Exclusive trophies, global spotlights and Parisian horizons

Among the finalists, Aquation Hospitality – MAADS captivated the audience with its innovative “Water Tower” project, while Melissa Chenda Ang (Blaze Travel & Tours) impressed with a highly professional presentation video condensing vision and expertise in an elegant format.

Each laureate left with an exclusive sculptural trophy — crafted by the expert hands behind Trash is Nice — a virtuous and symbolic loop. But the rewards did not stop there: a dedicated communications campaign across CCIFC’s social media, premium visibility through the official channels of the French Embassy, as well as privileged sponsor status for a major CCIFC event in 2026 (excluding the France-Cambodia Business Forum).

As a diplomatic cherry on top: a potential nomination for the 2026 CCI France International Awards in Paris — under the high patronage of Emmanuel Macron — could propel these talents onto the global stage.

A huge thanks to Platinum sponsors: BRED Bank Cambodia and Zeliy Engineering

See the photographs of the event here...