Canadia Group Launches Canadia Impact Fund with First Investment in Fast-Growing Cambodian Start-up Jalat

Canadia Group launched Canadia Impact Fund Co. (CIFC), a new initiative designed to support ambitious young Cambodian entrepreneurs. The fund’s first investment selected Jalat Logistics, a fast-growing delivery and last-mile logistics startup serving thousands of merchants across the country.

“This is an important step to support local founders who are building real solutions for Cambodian consumers and businesses,” said Thierry Tea, Co-Founder and CEO of Canadia Impact Fund. “Jalat Logistics has demonstrated strong execution, customer reliability, and the ability to scale. Our role is to help them grow even further.”

Supporting Growth in Tech, Logistics and Digital Commerce

Founded by three young Cambodian entrepreneurs recognised in Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia, Jalat Logistics has emerged as one of the country’s leading local delivery platforms. The company has completed over one million deliveries with a 98 per cent success rate, serves more than 6,500 merchants, and has processed over USD 20 million in cash-on-delivery transactions.

“We are committed to providing reliable, fast, and transparent delivery services for our customers and merchants,” said Sethey Sou, CEO of Jalat Logistics. “Being backed by Canadia Impact Fund strengthens our ability to improve our operations, technology, and customer experience as we continue to grow.”

A Fund to Support the Next Generation of Cambodian Entrepreneurs

The launch of CIFC highlights Canadia Group and its founder Lok Neak Okhna Dr Pung Kheav Se’s long-standing commitment to supporting Cambodia’s economic development and entrepreneurial community since 1991. Over the years, Canadia Group has actively supported organisations such as the Young Entrepreneurs Association of Cambodia (YEAC), the Cambodian Women Entrepreneurs Association (CWEA) and FASMEC to strengthen SMEs and local business capacity.

Building on these foundations, CIFC aims to double down on innovation and sustainability, investing in Cambodia’s long-term growth by focusing on sectors such as healthcare, education, technology, biotech, food, logistics, and sustainable technology.

CIFC is led by Thierry Tea, former CEO of Airbus Helicopters in the Philippines, who also founded Negocia Capital in Singapore — an early-stage investment firm with successful seed investments in French cleantech hybrid electric aerospace start-up Ascendance, US-based digital infrastructure start-up GroWrk, Cambodian education start-up Dichi Academy, and several fintech platforms.

The founding team comprises experienced Cambodian and international professionals in finance, technology, and business development, including Chhem Siriwat, Co-Founder of AI Forum; Anandha Khaou, formerly with Prestige Consulting; and Jim Baldy, previously Co-Founder of advertising and mobility start-ups.

In addition to supporting Cambodian start-ups, the fund is also open to investing in ASEAN-based companies that can bring new capabilities, technology, and partnerships to Cambodia.

CIFC collaborates with global technology partners, including Google, Apple, Huawei, Alibaba, Grab, and Bolt, to enhance regional connectivity and increase international visibility for Cambodian founders.

The fund also works with local start-up support networks such as Khmer Enterprise, Smart Axiata’s Start-up Space, 2080 Ventures, Techo Start-up Centre, and Impact Hub to strengthen pathways for local founders.

“Our aim is to help foster more Cambodian founders, more Cambodian innovation, and more Cambodian success stories,” added Thierry Tea.

Momentum in Cambodia’s Start-up Scene

Cambodia’s start-up ecosystem continues to gain momentum through collaboration between the private sector, public institutions, and international development partners. Programmes from Impact Hub, FirstWave’s Founders First, UNICEF’s Generation Future, and the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications (MPTC)’s Plug and Play initiative — along with projects by Techo Start-up Centre — are helping to expand entrepreneurial skills, mentorship, and innovation opportunities.

Meanwhile, Phnom Penh has seen the rise of new innovation spaces such as Raintree and the recently launched Connexion Hub, a modern campus inspired by France’s Station F. Located in Koh Pich, Connexion Hub brings together start-ups in edtech, cybersecurity, blockchain, AI, robotics, fintech, e-commerce, sport, and consulting, reflecting the growing presence of tech-driven entrepreneurship in the city’s developing business district.

Within this environment, Canadia Impact Fund aims to back the next wave of Cambodian innovation, positioning the Kingdom as a rising start-up centre in the region, where homegrown founders, domestic capital, and international partners can collaborate to create new opportunities.

This press release was supplied.