Phnom Penh
January 23, 2024
The Global Cleantech Innovation Programme (GCIP) Cambodia, is part of the global initiative GCIP that aims to accelerate cleantech innovation and entrepreneurship in startups and SMEs in Cambodia. On 22 September 2023, GCIP Cambodia announced the Opening of the GCIP Cambodia Accelerator Program Cohort 1 with thirteen semi-finalists shortlisted through a rigorous shortlisting process. The Opening Ceremony was presided over by H.E. Dr. Taing Nguonly, Executive Director of Techo Startup Center.
Among the 13 semi-finalists, top ten teams shortlisted from a pool of fifty four applications. The shortlisting methodology is a rigorous multi-step process involving online screening, scoring and feedback from independent judges, and interviews. The additional three semi-finalists advanced by becoming the winners of the Pre-Accelerator.
Semi-finalists are required to go through an intensive five-month training with specific deliverables and sequential validation framework identified as the GCIP 20 Business Elements, integrated into four key activities including 1) National Academy, 2) Global Training Webinars, 3) Mentoring, and 4) Business Clinic. These business elements will serve as a framework for semi-finalists to systematically validate the assumptions on their product, market, customers, and business model, intended to reduce the time taken to produce a pitch deck that would secure customers and convince partners.
In January 2024, the GCIP Cambodia Accelerator Program Cohort 1 will select up to five finalists to receive the grant award, totalling USD 50,000.
GCIP Cambodia Accelerator Program Cohort 1 aims to (1) identify, support and celebrate entrepreneurs with innovative solutions to addressing the most pressing energy, environmental and social challenges faced nationally and globally, (2) enable the participating entrepreneurs to successfully de-risk and scale their ventures, and (3) enhance the capacity of local stakeholders to successfully support innovation and entrepreneurship activities, especially the long-term growth of local cleantech ventures.
GCIP Cambodia Accelerator Program Cohort 1 is funded by the United Nations for Industrial Development Organizations (UNIDO) and Global Environment Facility (GEF), organized by the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Techo Startup Center, and co-organized by Prestige Consulting, with support from the Network for Global Innovation.
