Preparing ICIA 2026: Phnom Penh Visit Marks Key Milestone

As part of the Road to ICIA 2026, the team conducted an official visit to Phnom Penh in December 2025, marking a key milestone in preparing the upcoming international program.

This visit focused on aligning critical components—from venue coordination to partner engagement—while also integrating the Startup Innovation Weekend into the broader ICIA ecosystem. Step by step, ICIA 2026 is taking shape as a collaborative platform connecting young innovators, educators, startups, and global partners.

Strengthening Support for Indonesian Delegates

A key highlight of the visit was a meeting with the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Phnom Penh. The discussion centered on ensuring a smooth, safe, and well-supported experience for Indonesian delegates traveling to Cambodia. This includes coordination on logistics, guidance, and institutional support throughout the program.

Engaging Cambodia’s Startup Ecosystem

To strengthen local collaboration, the team engaged with several leading institutions in Phnom Penh’s innovation ecosystem, including:

• Techo Startup Center

• Khmer Enterprise

• CamStartup

• National Institute of Entrepreneurship and Innovation

• Overseas Cambodian Investment Corporation

• National Incubation Center of Cambodia

• Startup Grind

These discussions focused on shaping the Startup Innovation Weekend, ensuring it delivers meaningful value to participants while strengthening connections between local and international stakeholders.

Expanding Institutional Collaboration

The team also engaged with the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training Cambodia to introduce ICIA and explore potential collaboration. The conversation highlighted opportunities to expand ICIA’s reach and impact, particularly in bridging education, skills development, and innovation.

Advancing Operational Readiness

A follow-up coordination meeting with STEM Education Organization for Cambodia focused on refining operational readiness for ICIA 2026.

Key areas included:

• Logistics and accommodation planning

• Halal catering arrangements

• Program flow and scheduling

• Role distribution between international and local teams

This phase ensures that execution aligns with both global standards and local context.

Moving Closer to April 2026

With each milestone, ICIA 2026 continues to move closer to realization. The Phnom Penh visit reflects a strong commitment to building a well-coordinated, impactful international experience. As preparations continue, ICIA 2026 is set to become a platform where innovation, collaboration, and global perspectives converge.

Stay tuned as the journey continues toward April 2026 🚀