Youth Innovators' Space and Incubator Program
Our Youth Innovators’ Space and Incubator (YISI) Program is our newest program and was started in October 2020. The purpose of the Youth Innovators’ Space and Incubator is to facilitate much-needed training and workshops for new business owners and aspiring business owners. We focus on helping young people develop entrepreneurial skills and become confident job creators in the Siem Reap community. The team aims to diversify the job market, introduce more sustainable social enterprises, and ultimately increase job opportunities and learning experiences for youth. Our program courses build off of one another so that the youth graduating from YISI are prepared to take on the many facets of running a successful start-up.
In its infancy, the program was launched in partnership with USAID’s and PACT Cambodia’s We Act Initiative. Since September 2023, the program has been funded in its entirety by Co-Operaid, our non-profit partner from Switzerland.
YISI operates in our new centrally located office to encourage the community to utilize our office as a co-working space.
Our Youth Innovators’ Space and Incubator (YISI) Program is our newest program and was started in October 2020. The purpose of the Youth Innovators’ Space and Incubator is to facilitate much needed training and workshops for new business owners and aspiring business owners. We focus on helping young people develop entrepreneurial skills and become confident job creators in the Siem Reap community.
The team aims to diversify the job market, introduce more sustainable social enterprises, and ultimately increase job opportunities and learning experiences for youth. Our program courses build off of one another so that the youth graduating from YISI are prepared to take on the many facets of running a successful start-up.
In its infancy, the program was launched in partnership with USAID’s and PACT Cambodia’s We Act Initiative. Since September 2023, the program has been funded in its entirety by Co-Operaid, our non-profit partner from Switzerland. YISI operates in our new centrally located office to encourage the community to utilize our office as a co-working space.
Key Initiatives and Events:
Social Enterprise Incubator Course
An intensive market research and skills development course for entrepreneurs to shape their business concept into a compelling business plan! Participants receive ongoing mentorship support from experienced founders in their industry, weekly workshops and networking events, and an opportunity to pitch directly to investors at the end of the course.
IT for Business Courses
While youth entrepreneurs work on building their business plans, they are provided with ongoing IT training on applications that will help them run and market their business effectively.
IT for Business Professionals Courses: Short-term courses tailored for existing business owners and managers to identify applications they would like to learn to take their business to the next level.
WeBusiness Talks
An impactful event designed for entrepreneurs in Cambodia to hear from an industry leader or professional on a specific topic, skill set, or lesson learned. Topics include best practices for business marketing, how to register a business, what major mistakes to avoid as a new business owner, etc. Participants get the chance to ask the speakers questions and network with each other.
Online MOBI Business Course
Business planning is not limited to the classroom! We partnered with Santa Clara University’s My Own Business Institute to give Khmer youth a complete online business planning guide and tool kit in Khmer. Now, youth from every region in Cambodia will have the chance to learn how to start a business.
Social Enterprise Incubator Course
An intensive market research and skills development course for entrepreneurs to shape their business concept into a compelling business plan! Participants receive ongoing mentorship support from experienced founders in their industry, weekly workshops and networking events, and an opportunity to pitch directly to investors at the end of the course.
IT for Business Courses
While youth entrepreneurs work on building their business plans, they are provided with ongoing IT training on applications that will help them run and market their business effectively.
IT for Business Professionals Courses: Short-term courses tailored for existing business owners and managers to identify applications they would like to learn to take their business to the next level.
WeBusiness Talks
An impactful event designed for entrepreneurs in Cambodia to hear from an industry leader or professional on a specific topic, skill set, or lesson learned. Topics include best practices for business marketing, how to register a business, what major mistakes to avoid as a new business owner, etc. Participants get the chance to ask the speakers questions and network with each other.
Online MOBI Business Course
Business planning is not limited to the classroom! We partnered with Santa Clara University’s My Own Business Institute to give Khmer youth a complete online business planning guide and tool kit in Khmer. Now, youth from every region in Cambodia will have the chance to learn how to start a business.
