« Cambodia revealed to me what I truly wanted to build » — Jean-Emanuel Stevens, founder of Vibe Event Solutions

Arriving in Cambodia in 2023 for a simple tourist trip, Jean-Emanuel Stevens never really left. Holding a master’s degree in digital marketing and having worked with Luxembourg start-ups, in university teaching, and behind the scenes at Audi France, this 30-year-old Frenchman chose Phnom Penh to settle down and launch Vibe Event Solutions, a ticketing and event production platform.

Jean-Emanuel Stevens

Between entrepreneurial ambition, social commitment, and a genuine love for Khmer culture, he shares his atypical journey with us.

Can you introduce yourself in a few words?

My name is Jean-Emanuel Stevens. I am French, originally from Gif-sur-Yvette in Essonne, and I have been living in Cambodia for two years now. I am the founder of Vibe Event Solutions, a company specializing in ticketing, event support, and production. Passionate about innovation, digital technology, and human experiences, I have always been driven by the desire to create projects that bring people together and add real value to their daily lives.

Tell us about your academic background

After obtaining my baccalaureate, I chose to pursue studies in business and marketing. I earned a bachelor’s degree in international business, followed by a master’s degree in digital marketing.

These years of study allowed me to acquire solid knowledge in business development, marketing strategy, and communication, while also developing a strong interest in entrepreneurship and new technologies. Beyond the academic aspect, they provided me with real international exposure and a better understanding of the challenges of the business world — a perspective that naturally led me to settle in Cambodia and start a business there.

Tell us about your early professional experiences

My early professional experiences were built through a variety of roles, each contributing to shaping my path. I worked with Luxembourg start-ups Databourg Systems and Augment, highly dynamic environments that enabled me to develop skills in marketing, project management, business development, and innovation. I then joined Audi France, an experience that helped me better understand how large corporations operate.

At the same time, I had the opportunity to teach marketing at ECAM LaSalle in Phnom Penh, a particularly enriching human experience that gave me a different perspective on knowledge transfer and the sharing of experience.

All of these stages gave me a concrete vision of the business world and gradually strengthened my desire to become an entrepreneur, eventually leading me to create Vibe Event Solutions in Cambodia.

Tell us about your relationship with Cambodia

My relationship with Cambodia began in 2023, when I came to discover the country as a tourist, following the recommendation of my sister, who had visited before the Covid period. This first trip was a true revelation.

I was immediately charmed by the warmth of the people, the richness of Khmer culture, and the dynamism of the country. Over time, I built strong connections there, both personally and professionally. Today, I have settled in Phnom Penh, where I share my life with my Cambodian partner. Cambodia has thus become much more than a travel destination: it is a country I am deeply attached to and where I have chosen to build my life and develop my projects.

What are your ambitions?

My ambition is to contribute to making Cambodia an even more dynamic destination in terms of events, culture, and social connections, by using technology as a tool to serve both organizers and participants.

More broadly, I aim to demonstrate that it is possible to create innovative, sustainable companies with strong human impact, capable of contributing to the development of their ecosystem and generating real opportunities for the communities they serve.

Describe your professional activities

I run Vibe Event Solutions, an event-focused company that offers an online discovery and ticketing platform, along with a range of services dedicated to organizers. We support them in various aspects: event visibility and marketing, registration and ticketing management, access control, as well as production and operational support.

On a daily basis, my role is highly versatile: I define the company’s strategy, develop partnerships, oversee operations, and ensure the development of our products and services. As the founder, I am also deeply involved in client interactions and in identifying new growth opportunities.

Describe one of your projects

One of the projects I am most proud of is organizing an event in collaboration with the TekTuk collective at Jasmine Nightclub in Phnom Penh. This event brought together several hundred participants around an electronic music lineup featuring both local and international artists. It perfectly illustrates my desire to create experiences that bring communities together and contribute to the dynamism of the Cambodian cultural scene.

On a more personal level, I am particularly committed to projects with a human and social dimension. I have had the opportunity to be involved in initiatives supporting Cambodian refugee camps through awareness campaigns, fundraising, and the distribution of essential goods. These experiences have deeply impacted me and strengthened my belief that entrepreneurship and professional success come with social and human responsibility.

Vibe Event Solutions, a company specializing in events that offers an online discovery and ticketing platform

What do you do outside of work?

Outside of work, I particularly enjoy discovering new places in Cambodia, especially regions I have not yet had the chance to visit. I also practice several sports: football, badminton, and padel.

I also enjoy attending a wide variety of events, whether cultural, sporting, or musical. More generally, I like meeting people from different backgrounds and experiencing new things — moments that nourish both my personal curiosity and my entrepreneurial thinking.

What do you like most, and least, about Cambodia?

What I appreciate most is the warmth of its people and the richness of its culture. I enjoy the authenticity of human relationships, the hospitality of Cambodians, and the diversity of experiences available in everyday life. It is a dynamic country where there is always something to discover, whether through landscapes, gastronomy, or cultural events.

What I sometimes miss are more green spaces and places designed to enjoy nature within the city, particularly in Phnom Penh. With its rapid development and growing urbanization, the capital is evolving very quickly. However, I find it especially interesting to witness this transformation and to see the country being built and reinvented over the years.