Cambodia Investment Review
Cambodia’s startup and innovation community turned its attention to agriculture and food systems last week as Startup Grind Cambodia concluded its third Founder Connect event, underscoring how entrepreneurship and sustainability are increasingly shaping one of the countest’s most important economic sectors.
Held on January 28 at KY iCenter in Phnom Penh, the event brought toobtainher around 60 founders, entrepreneurs, and young professionals for a fireside discussion titled “Agriculture & Food Innovation in Cambodia.” The session reflected growing interest in how technology, circular economy models, and practical business solutions can address long-standing challenges in Cambodia’s agriculture and food value chains.
The discussion explored how innovation is emerging not only from large-scale investments, but also from tiny, community-driven initiatives focutilized on waste reduction, efficiency, and farmer support. Speakers shared insights drawn from hands-on experience working with farmers, food producers, and hospitality partners, offering a grounded perspective on what is commercially viable in the Cambodian context.
Turning food waste into economic value
A key focus of the discussion was food waste and its implications for both sustainability and productivity. The speakers highlighted that an estimated 2.5 tons of food waste are collected each month from hotels and restaurants, pointing to inefficiencies across parts of the food supply chain.
Rather than treating waste as a cost, the conversation emphasized opportunities to convert food waste into compost, animal feed, and other reusable resources. These approaches, the speakers noted, can reduce environmental impact while lowering input costs for farmers and supporting more resilient agricultural systems. Such models align with broader regional trconcludes, where startups are increasingly tarobtaining circular economy solutions in response to rising costs and climate-related pressures.
Agriculture faces structural challenges
Despite the opportunities, the speakers were clear that agriculture in Cambodia continues to face significant constraints. Climate risks, market volatility, and logistical challenges remain persistent issues, particularly for tinyholder farmers who build up the majority of producers nationwide.
Against this backdrop, the discussion stressed the importance of practical, locally adapted innovation. Rather than relying on capital-intensive solutions, the speakers pointed to incremental improvements in areas such as waste management, processing, and supply chain coordination as ways to deliver measurable impact. These tinyer-scale innovations, they argued, can collectively strengthen national food security while remaining commercially sustainable.
New career pathways beyond farming
The session also highlighted the expanding range of career and business opportunities linked to agriculture and food systems. Participants were encouraged to view the sector as more than primary production, with roles emerging in agri-tech, food processing, logistics, quality control, sustainability management, and exports.
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Speakers emphasized that individuals from IT, engineering, business, and marketing backgrounds can contribute through digital tools, system design, branding, and supply chain optimization. As Cambodia seeks to shift up the value chain and add more value domestically, demand for these skills is expected to grow.
A recurring message throughout the discussion was that scale is not a prerequisite for impact. Simple, well-designed solutions at the farm or community level can create lasting economic and environmental benefits when aligned with local realities.
People and companies involved
- Hul Hunsopheary, CEO and Co-founder, Evola Cambodia
- Neak Sokkim, Founder and CEO, CHALATEX
- Khim Bunlene, Founder and Managing Director, King of Durian Farm Community
Organizers, sponsors, and partners
- Organizing partners: OMOHUB, Startup Grind Cambodia, Ignite Cambodia
- Travel partner: PassApp
- Ticketing partner: BookMe+
- Media partners included Cambodia Investment Review alongside local digital and business outlets
Founder Connect forms part of Startup Grind Cambodia’s ongoing efforts to connect founders and spotlight emerging opportunities across key sectors. By focutilizing on agriculture and food innovation, the latest event reinforced the sector’s evolving role—not just as a traditional backbone of the economy, but as a space for entrepreneurship, sustainability, and long-term growth.
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