From Local to Regional: ASEAN Startup Connect Unlocks Cross-Border Growth & Investment in Phnom Penh

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From Local to Regional: ASEAN Startup Connect Unlocks Cross-Border Growth & Investment in Phnom Penh
From Local to Regional: ASEAN Startup Connect Unlocks Cross-Border Growth & Investment in Phnom Penh./Image supplied.

The Ministry of Post and Telecommunications of Cambodia (MPTC), supported by the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF), have announced the launch of the ASEAN Digital Startup Connect Summit (ASC).

Taking place December 7–9 at Koh Pich Convention Hall and the American University of Phnom Penh (AUPP), ASC is not just a standard trade fair, but rather a high-impact summit designed to solve the two biggest problems for businesses in the Mekong region: access to capital and cross-border expansion.

"The region is full of potential, but fragmented," says Galeno Chua, ASC Director. "Startups struggle to scale beyond their borders, and investors struggle to trust founders and their ideas from emerging markets like in Cambodia. ASC is the bridge. We are developing guidance, tools and mentorship programs to close the information and empathy gaps for founders, investors and even the workforce."

Why You Should Attend

For Startups & Small Business Owners: High-value upskilling & networking with exclusive access to AI masterclasses designed specifically for non-technical founders and small business owners looking to upskill. These sessions, typically valued at hundreds of dollars, are available for free, but space is strictly limited.

  • The Opportunity: Learn practical AI implementation strategies while connecting directly with regional partners through the launch of the ASC Platform.
  • Urgency: There are only 25 free slots remaining for the waitlist.

For Consultants and Ecosystem Partners: The summit features the "Ecosystem & Market Expansion" Roundtable, using a holistic AI techstack with the most experienced facilitators in the Kingdom to cut through polite diplomatic talk and identify the real friction points in cross-border trade. You will leave with clarity on how to navigate digital adoption and export your services to markets across ASEAN and Japan.

For Investors: ASC is curating a delegation of 46 high-potential delegates and hundreds of local applicants over the next 13 months. By leveraging a unique "Human + AI" facilitation model and mentorship program, the summit captures the unspoken realities of the market, providing investors with a higher quality pool of startup investment opportunities and market intelligence that usually takes months to gather.

Event Details

  • Dates: December 7–9, 2025
  • Venue: Koh Pich Convention Hall & AUPP, Phnom Penh
  • Key Themes: Digital Adoption, Market Expansion, Talent Mobility .

Registration: Participation is curated to ensure high-quality networking. Founders, MSME owners, and investors are encouraged to apply immediately to be shortlisted.

Registration page: https://aseanstartupconnect.org/en/summit

ASEAN Startup Connect is a flagship initiative funded by JAIF to accelerate the digital economy across ASEAN and Japan. It focuses on practical connectivity, digital upskilling, and building a resilient regional ecosystem for startups and MSMEs .

Media Contact: Serey Rath, connect@aseanstartupconnect.org +855 78 355 664

This press release was supplied.