Scaling Green Innovation: Cambodia Launches Regional Climate Technopreneurship Initiative

Cambodia officially launched the “Collaborative R&DB Programme for Promoting the Innovation of Climate Technopreneurship" – a regional, investment-driven initiative to help climate technology businesses scale through global partnerships, technology transfer, and financing – on April 6, 2026, at the Shangri-La Phnom Penh.

Funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) through its accredited entity, the Korea Development Bank (KDB), the programme supports investment-ready enterprises with proven solutions to expand commercially and access new markets. It is implemented by the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), NH Investment & Securities (NHIS), NH Absolute Return Partners (NH ARP), and KDB, with the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation (MISTI) and the Ministry of Environment (MoE) as government counterparts in Cambodia.

H.E. Hem Vanndy, Minister of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation, said:

SMEs remain central to Cambodia’s economy, and scaling them into competitive, technology-driven production requires access to finance, advanced technology, and strong domestic and international partnerships. This programme directly supports that effort. It promotes innovation and joint ventures to empower entrepreneurs and advance a more competitive green economy.

H.E. Dr. Eang Sophalleth, Minister of Environment, added:

This initiative is a critical step toward reaching our national climate goals and protecting our natural resources. We are committed to supporting new technologies that build a clean, green and sustainable future for all.

A key component of the programme is the Climate Technopreneurship Fund (CTF), a USD 200 million vehicle anchored by USD 83.75 million in first-loss equity from GCF to de-risk private investment. Managed by NH Absolute Return Partners with KDB participation, the fund will provide equity, mezzanine, and debt financing to support high-potential climate enterprises across Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, the Philippines, and Vietnam.

“Climate innovation must be matched with investment to achieve real impact," said Se-kyung Park, Head of KDB Climate Business Team. "Through the Climate Technopreneurship Fund, KDB is proud to support a financing platform that connects promising climate technology businesses with the capital needed to scale their solutions in partnership with the GCF and various partners.”

GGGI will serve as co-executing entity in Cambodia, supporting ecosystem development, business readiness, and technical assistance.

“Through this programme, GGGI supports climate technology enterprises to strengthen partnerships and readiness for market and investment opportunities," said Dr. Jaeseung Lee, Deputy Regional Director of Asia, GGGI. "By working closely with local stakeholders, we aim to help climate solutions expand sustainably and deliver long-term development benefits.”

Running through 2030, the programme aims to support 185 climate technology businesses across five countries, including at least 40 in Cambodia, while enabling eight regional joint ventures. It targets 30–50 per cent women-led or gender-inclusive firms, and is expected to avoid 1.63 million tonnes of emissions and benefit 2.3 million people, supporting Cambodia’s transition toward a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy.

This press release was supplied.