The campus at the National University of Management in Phnom Penh was buzzing on Wednesday as the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport hosted the semi-finals for the "My Business 2026" business plan competition.
According to local reports, the event was set up as a stage for young talent to showcase their startup ideas and business proposals. Pitching on stage and fine-tuning their projects on the sidelines, these young teams were putting their ideas to the test, trying to prove their business logic could stand up in the real world.
Out on the city streets, most young people spend their days weaving through Phnom Penh traffic on motorbikes, taking in the harsh sun and exhaust before winding down over a quick bowl of noodle soup at a roadside stall. But inside the university, you could feel a different kind of energy—a clear sign that plenty of local youth have the drive, smarts, and hustle to build something of their own in this fast-moving country.
