La French Tech Phnom Penh Reflects on Three Days of Connections at the Digital Trade Forum

La French Tech Phnom Penh concluded the first edition of Rendez-Vous Tech after three days at the 3rd Cambodia Digital Trade Forum & Online Expo at Koh Pich Expo, bringing together a diverse mix of Cambodian and international entrepreneurs, startups, business leaders, students, public institutions and technology professionals.

Throughout the Forum, the La French Tech Phnom Penh booth became a meeting point for conversations around Cambodia’s technology ecosystem, market opportunities and potential collaborations. Over the three days, the team held in-depth discussions with more than 50 startups and entrepreneurs, alongside exchanges with established local technology companies and international visitors.

Among the Cambodian companies engaging with La French Tech Phnom Penh were Smean AI, a local AI company, Jalat Logistics, a Cambodian logistics-tech company, and NewWave, a Cambodian AI startup. Jalat and NewWave are backed by Canadia Impact Fund, the investment arm of Canadia Group, one of Cambodia’s leading conglomerates, reflecting the growing links between Cambodia’s startup ecosystem and local institutional investors.

Local ideas, international interest

The booth also welcomed visitors from Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, France and Canada, bringing regional and international perspectives into the discussions.

Several business owners based in France and Canada visited specifically to better understand the Cambodian market, seek advice from La French Tech Phnom Penh Board members and discuss potential opportunities to invest, establish activities or develop partnerships in Cambodia.

The Forum also created opportunities for direct engagement with Cambodian public institutions. Representatives and Secretaries of State from the Ministry of Commerce (MOC), the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications (MPTC), and the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation (MISTI) visited the La French Tech Phnom Penh booth and engaged with Board members on Cambodia’s startup ecosystem, innovation, digital development and opportunities for stronger public-private collaboration.

The next generation was also part of the conversations. At the invitation of La French Tech Phnom Penh, students from De Montfort University Cambodia, and students from CamTech, attended the Digital Trade Forum and visited the French Tech booth, giving them an opportunity to discover Cambodia’s digital trade ecosystem and interact directly with entrepreneurs and technology professionals.

Can Cambodia build its own route?

One of the key moments came on September 12, when Thierry Tea, Co-President of La French Tech Phnom Penh, spoke during the TEDxPhnomPenh Salon on “IMAGINE – What If Cambodia Could Leapfrog?”

His talk challenged the idea that Cambodia must simply follow the path taken by more established economies. Instead, he argued that Cambodia can build its own route by combining technology, skills, stronger standards, entrepreneurship and international connections.

He also highlighted the potential of Cambodia’s diaspora and global community to contribute beyond investment, through introductions, mentorship, knowledge and access to international markets, summarised by one of the central ideas of the talk: “Our roots are Cambodian. Our routes can be global.”

The themes continued beyond the stage, with entrepreneurs and visitors returning to the booth to discuss what leapfrogging could mean for their own companies, industries and ambitions.

“Over these three days, we saw the energy of Cambodia’s emerging tech ecosystem, from young students and Cambodian founders to international entrepreneurs, investors, companies and public institutions. Cambodia does not need to follow someone else’s path. We can build our own route, combining our local talent and ideas with global knowledge, networks and opportunities.

Rendez-Vous Tech is about creating more connections and more opportunities for the builders of the new economy in Cambodia. We are excited to see the engagement and the enthusiasm of the growing community.” — Thierry Tea, Co-President, La French Tech Phnom Penh

Continuing the connections

For La French Tech Phnom Penh, the first Rendez-Vous Tech showed the value of creating a simple and accessible space where local and international actors can meet directly, share perspectives and identify opportunities to work together.

La French Tech Phnom Penh will carry this momentum into its next major engagement at FrancoTech, held alongside the Francophonie Summit in Phnom Penh in November.

About La French Tech Phnom Penh

La French Tech Phnom Penh is a non-profit community carrying out the French government's “French Tech” global objectives in Cambodia. Affiliated with CCI France Cambodge and supported by advisors from the Embassy of France in Cambodia and Expertise France, it brings together around sixty companies and startups across fintech, AI, e-commerce, edtech, healthtech, logistics and other sectors, and is part of a global network of more than 125 French Tech communities in 57 countries.