2020 has been one big whirlwind, let’s be honest. Although Cambodia's tech and startup scene has been growing over the last couple of years with the rise of new companies, venture capital, and events, COVID-19 has disrupted all aspects of life and business as we know it.

Regardless, Team Raintree is back and as passionate as ever in our social mission to champion diversity and inclusion. This is especially true in the technology sector where merely 20% of founders in Cambodia are women. Building on our initial research of the Kingdom's tech startup landscape and other programs, we're super excited to partner with She Loves Tech this year, to bring the world's largest startup competition for women and technology to Cambodia for the first time.

*She Loves Tech Founders: Rhea See, Virginia Tan, Leanne Robers*

Founded in 2015 by three incredible female founders, She Loves Tech seeks to identify the best entrepreneurs and technology with a diversity lens, and accelerate them for transformative impact. Through their Global Startup Competition and flagship conference, they connect leading technology entrepreneurs with investors and corporate partners such as ADB Ventures, Microsoft, Facebook and Amazon Web Services.

What we love most about She Loves Tech is their unique approach to inclusion. With a mission to truly pave a brighter future for women, the Global Startup Competition not only looks to source ventures that are founded by women, but also startups that use technology to positively transform women's lives, thereby developing an ecosystem that has women at the centre of focus.

As their founder Viriginia puts it, "When people think about gender equality, they think about gender - but that is only the very first level of addressing the question. For me, the question is: 'Are the companies we are building, is the technology we are shaping and designing, taking into account the needs of both genders and the fact that both genders have different needs?'".

For She Loves Tech Cambodia (the national round competition that is part of the Global Competition Series), we aim to select the most promising technology startup, further polish it through tailored mentorship with industry experts, before sending the team to represent Cambodia on an international stage. There they will compete for a roster of exciting prizes, including US$15,000 equity-free cash, global media coverage, and so much more.

*Snapshot of the Global Startup Competition in 2019*

Of course we're not doing this alone. We are equally thrilled to be showing the collaborative nature of Cambodia’s startup ecosystem with some amazing supporters. The initiative is launched in partnership with the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, Ministry of Economy and Finance, Khmer Enterprise, and the Global Shapers Phnom Penh Hub. It is also kindly supported by ecosystem builders including Mekong Strategic Partners, Small World Realty, Impact Hub Phnom Penh, Cambodia Investor Club, IT Academy STEP, SHE Investments, Young Entrepreneurs Association of Cambodia, The Desk Coworking Space, Sahaka, Woomentum Cambodia, Women Tech Media, 606, Digital Noodle and Focus-Cambodia.

Applications for Cambodian startups are still open this week. If you are part of an early-stage technology startup that is either women-led or women-impact, apply now to be part of this once in a lifetime experience. Don't miss your chance to meet with Cambodia's beloved serial entrepreneur Rithy Thul, wonderwoman Adrienne and our co-founder Zoë who will feature in our line-up of mentors. Applications are closing in 5 days on 31st August. UPDATE: Deadline has been extended to Friday 4th September. APPLY NOW HERE >>