New Tech Community Executive Board Takes Office Ahead of Francophonie Summit

The new executive board of the tech community, made up of nine members including five women, takes office eight months before the Francophonie Summit. The goal: structure a booming ecosystem and leverage international attention to attract talent and capital.

As a decisive autumn approaches for Cambodia's international prominence, the La French Tech Phnom Penh community officially announced, on March 20, the composition of its Board of Directors for the 2026–2028 term. The appointment comes on a symbolic date—the International Day of Francophonie—as the kingdom prepares to host the Francophonie Summit for the first time in its history, scheduled for November 2026.

A Renewed Governance in a Strategic Context

This new Board, whose installation coincides with a maturation phase of the local tech ecosystem, aims to mark a turning point. Comprising nine personalities from entrepreneurship, investment, and technology, it stands out for its strong gender parity—five women out of nine members—reflecting the organization's commitment to diversity and the #WomenInTech movement.

Among the new members are Thierry Tea, co-founder and CEO of Canada Impact Fund, who was already involved in creating the French Tech in the Philippines, and Laurine Chateau, head of UMAMI, a local app fighting food waste. Sophie Meas, co-founder of ShopRunBack, a specialist in reverse logistics for e-commerce, also joins the board, alongside Suntheary de Montaigne, an agribusiness investment specialist at the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Cambodia, and Maximilien Grolier, founder of Techflow Agency, which supports companies in their digital transformation.

These five newcomers will work alongside already committed members, such as Cédric Kang (CEO at SBI Group APAC and co-founder of BiKay), Jannine Sem (Solutions BI), and Eva Berlinson (Canada Impact Fund and OCIC Group).

The Francophonie Summit as a Catalyst

The November 2026 deadline represents a major accelerator for the new Board's roadmap. The Francophonie Summit, which will bring together heads of state and government from 90 members and observers, will be accompanied by several major economic and cultural events, including the “Francophone Village” and especially FrancoTech. The latter, dedicated to innovation and digital cooperation, is being meticulously prepared by the Cambodian ministries of Posts and Telecommunications and Women's Affairs, in partnership with the International Organization of La Francophonie.

This international gathering is seen by La French Tech Phnom Penh as a unique opportunity to reposition the country. “This is the moment to spotlight French and Francophone innovation in Southeast Asia and confirm Cambodia's role as a regional hub,” emphasizes the organization.

An Ecosystem Seeking Structure

Founded in 2015 and labeled a French Tech community in 2019, La French Tech Phnom Penh now brings together more than 60 startups active in diverse sectors: fintech, foodtech, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, blockchain, and edtech. Building on this pool of talent, the community now aims to enter a professionalization phase.

For the next three years, the Board has set clear priorities: structure internal governance, organize high-impact events to facilitate meetings between entrepreneurs and investors, and strengthen bilateral ties between the French and Cambodian ecosystems. The stated ambition is to contribute to the creation of skilled jobs and durably position Phnom Penh on the map of Francophone innovation hubs in Asia.

With a global network of 114 communities and over 1,400 volunteers, La French Tech represents a considerable economic influence lever. In Phnom Penh, the new Board intends to show that Francophonie is not just a linguistic heritage, but a competitive asset for regional integration and attractiveness.