Cambodia is set to host the inaugural ASEAN Entrepreneur Forum & Awards, now rebranded as The Pinnacle Entrepreneur Forum. The high-profile event aims to spotlight the nation’s women-led enterprises and attract global investment.
Under the leadership of Lct Dr Eng Lykuong, chair and president of both the ASEAN Women Entrepreneurs' Network (AWEN) and the Cambodian Women Entrepreneurs Network (CamWEN), and Lct Oknha Sreat Mom Sophear, chair of the event organising committee, we are proud to announce the Pinnacle Entrepreneur Forum.
This summit, designed to empower and propel businesses, especially women-led enterprises, to ever greater heights, is set to take place on August 1 at the Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra.
The event will be attended by Prime Minister Hun Manet, along with key government ministers, including the Minister of Women's Affairs, the Minister of Tourism, the Minister of Commerce and other relevant ministers.
According to Mom Sophear during the press conference, the forum will act as a catalyst in supporting the government’s ASEAN-International Policy of embracing and nurturing the potential of women-led businesses across all sectors, aiming to develop the economy and upscale societal sustainably.
“AWEN Award Night is AWEN’s proud legacy, one of fostering connections, igniting ambition and empowering women to rise above limitations. It is a legacy we are honoured to carry forward with The Pinnacle Entrepreneur Forum," she said.
As the chair of AWEN, Lykuong promises to “Commercialise Cambodia” to the ASEAN member states. This initiative aims to attract foreign financiers to invest in Cambodia. Sun Chanthol, first vice-president of the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), has also worked diligently to commercialise the country to EU member states over the past few years.
“This event will go beyond [Chanthol’s] efforts; we will not only commercialise Cambodia abroad but also on our own soil,” she stated.
“AWEN’s mission is to create a supportive and inclusive environment for women-led businesses to thrive. Meanwhile, CamWEN aims to foster vibrancy in the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Cambodia,” Lykuong said.
“With the honour of leading this event, I vow to create a legacy that benefits all women entrepreneurs across Southeast Asia, especially in Cambodia. This is also one of my commitments as a Cambodian citizen to join the [government] in continuing the process of sustainable development and peace in this Kingdom of Wonder,” she added.
About the Forum
Shifting the focus from gender-specific skill sets to the universal potential of entrepreneurship, this year's event aims to spotlight the abundant opportunities available to all – men and women alike. By emphasising inclusivity and equality, we seek to create a platform that celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit irrespective of gender. Our goal is to showcase how both men and women can contribute to and benefit from thriving businesses.
According to the event committee, unlike the challenges faced by other countries in hosting AWEN events, Cambodia presents a unified front. Rather than competing, our diverse organisations – AWEN and CamWEN – dedicated to women's empowerment have come together under one banner to host this event.
We aspire to be a prime example of collaboration within the AWEN community, demonstrating how unity can amplify impact. By showcasing our collective strengths and distinct approaches, we aim to set a new standard for partnership and event execution.
Meanwhile, the evaluation committee stated that our rigorous appraisal process, conducted by a five-member committee from diverse sectors, ensured unparalleled transparency. As we consolidated the scores of each entrepreneur, it became evident that the ratings were remarkably consistent, highlighting the fairness and objectivity of our assessment.
The exceptional quality of the 22 awardees is a testament to their business acumen. Given this year's highly competitive yet equitable competition, we strongly encourage all participants to reapply for the next edition. Your chances of winning are excellent, and we invite you to become part of our growing network by joining the organising committee.
During the interview session with the event committee, Mom Sophear took the opportunity to invite businesses and organisations to support the event through sponsorship opportunities.
Cash sponsorships of $10,000 are available for the platinum level, which is significantly more affordable than other events where the platinum level would cost around $30,000 to $50,000. While cash sponsorships are preferred, in-kind contributions that reduce operational costs are also welcomed.
Regarding ticket pricing, AWEN offers several options to accommodate different preferences. Individual tickets for a half-day are available for $100, while a full-day pass costs $160. For group attendance, table reservations for up to 10 seats are priced at $1,500.
This year’s ASEAN Entrepreneurship Forum, under the trademark of “The Pinnacle Entrepreneurs Forum”, represents a new hope for Cambodia’s efforts to empower entrepreneurs, especially women, and drive economic growth.
By bringing together key stakeholders from across ASEAN and potentially from around the world, the event aims to create strategic partnerships and unlock new investment opportunities.
