Over 5,000 technology enthusiasts showed up at BarCamp ASEAN 2019 organized on the premises of the Institute of Technology of Cambodia on 12-13 October 2019. The two-day event featured a total number of 84 tech startup exhibitors, 97 speakers, and over 75 presentations by the Who’s Who of the burgeoning tech industry in the country.
Leading the dialogue on technological advancement in Cambodia, BarCamp ASEAN 2019 was organized under the theme of “Together Towards a Digital Future” with a keen focus on the digital economy, digital citizenship and Industry 4.0. Throughout the event, participants got a chance to engage in sessions that were filled with fun, learning and opportunities to interact with domain experts and other participants: breakout sessions, Smart Tech Talks, panel discussions, startup, and student showcase and exhibitions.
Featuring some of the most innovative startups in the country, Seedstars Phnom Penh was the highlight of BarCamp ASEAN 2019. Thirty startups led by young Cambodian entrepreneurs and innovators competed for a chance to progress to the Seedstars’ Global Summit in Switzerland next year and to win a potential bounty of US$1 million. Sala, an EduTech startup led by Sok Leap, a technology entrepreneur, emerged as the winner of the Seedstars’ Best Startup Cambodia Award. Sala will now go on to the regional Seedstars Summit in November and receive three days of mentorship, as well as join a host of investor meetings. They will also join the Seedstars’ Investment Readiness program, which entitles them to a 3-month mentorship program that is tailored to the challenges they will face.
The much-awaited announcement of the winners of the Cambodia Rice Bowl Startup Awards 2019 was also made at BarCamp ASEAN 2019. The Rice Bowl Startup Awards celebrate the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship within the Southeast Asian startup ecosystem. They are known for rewarding innovation, excellence and best practices among startups across the region and are also known for recognizing the excitement, risk, and hard-work involved in developing a startup and the influence each person has on driving the success of their companies.
| Category | Winners |
| Startup of the Year | CamboTicket |
| Founder of the Year | Kengo Kitaura, Agribuddy Cambodia |
| Best Newcomer | BLOC |
| Best IoT Startup | ArrowDot |
| Best FoodTech/AgriTech Startup | Agribuddy Cambodia |
| Best e-Commerce or Supply Chain Startup | Phzar |
| Best AI or Machine Learning Startup | Clik |
| Best Fintech | YouAdMe |
| Investor of the Year | Mekong Strategic Partners |
| Best Accelerator/Incubator Program | Impact Hub Phnom Penh |
| People’s Choice | BuyLoy |
“We organized this event to bring together the leaders of the tech ecosystem in ASEAN, and to engage them in a conversation about the digital future of Cambodia and the region. We are encouraged by the level of interest and excitement from both the speakers and the participants. We hope to be able to organize another event next year with even greater success,” said Mr. Chantra Be, BarCamp ASEAN Lead Organizer.
Speaking at the event, H.E. Dr. Kan Chanmeta, for the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications encouraged young students and other participants to seriously consider choosing technology and science-related majors: “These majors have a great potential in both local, regional and international jobs market. The development of the technology sector is also a priority for the Royal Government. In order to prepare for a digital future and to help facilitate the growth of the digital economy, the Royal Government has been working with key stakeholders to ready the ecosystem by strengthening available human resources in the country.”
About BarCamp and its Partners
BarCamp Cambodia is a community of everyday people who have come together to share their knowledge and passion. The conference is for people who want to share, listen and learn from their peers in an energetic, fast-paced co-learning environment.
BarCamp Cambodia is committed to working together with different organizations and businesses to create more impact in the Cambodian society by sharing knowledge, creating a shared space for innovators and to help develop human resources in different fields. So far, the BarCamp team has engaged over 80,000 participants (among students, professionals, and entrepreneurs), over 1,000 speakers, 20 universities and over 2,000 companies and organizations.
Since 2008, the BarCamp Cambodia team has independently organized and successfully executed BarCamps in Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville, Battambang, Siem Reap, Kampot, Takeo, Kampong Cham, Banteay Meanchey, Ratanakiri, Steung Treng, Prey Veng, and Svay Rieng.
Supporting partners for BarCamp ASEAN 2019 include the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, the Institute of Technology of Cambodia (ITC), Smart Axiata, EZECOM, ABA Bank, and TOTAL. Contributing partners include KOOMPI, in partnership with the National Institute of Posts, Telecommunications & ICT (NIPTICT), Youth Entrepreneurs Association of Cambodia (YEAC), the Open Institute, Cambodia Investment Club (CiC), Saigon Innovation Hub, New Entrepreneurs Foundation, e27, La FrenchTech Cambodge, ImpactHUB Phnom Penh, Anagata, Mekhala Radiant Communications, CamWP and Cambodia Women Entrepreneurs Association (CWEA).