On July 23, 2025, the Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE), partnering with Enhancing Entrepreneurial Ecosystem and Investments (3Ei), co-implemented by Khmer Enterprise and Swisscontact, concluded its SCALE 360 program in Cambodia with a half-day wrap-up event hosted at Khmer Enterprise in Phnom Penh. The event marked the culmination of a two-month learning journey designed to equip Cambodia’s Business Development Service (BDS) providers with proven strategies to strengthen their organisational performance, sustainability, and impact on the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
As an ecosystem builder, ANDE aims to help organisations become exceptional at nurturing entrepreneurs and accelerating the growth of Small and Growing Businesses (SGBs). Research shows that high-performing Entrepreneur Support Organisations (ESOs) can drive significantly stronger outcomes for the businesses they serve compared to average performers. This highlights the importance of investing in a community of practice that supports organisations striving to improve—or those already leading the way and eager to grow the broader field. Cambodia is the first country in Southeast Asia where we launched the full SCALE 360 program, building on the momentum of our introductory workshop in Phnom Penh in 2023. Drawing on ANDE’s global network, we brought in a group of experienced BDS providers to serve as coaches, guiding local ESOs through this two-month journey. ANDE will continue to walk alongside them, supporting the application of insights from both expert coaching and peer learning into real-world practice.
Throughout the program, 13 participants from 8 entrepreneurial ESOs engaged in five modules structured around the SCALE framework—Select the right enterprises, Charging enterprises improves performance, Address problems, Learn by evaluating enterprise performance, and Lead by Example. Each session was guided by regional and local experts, offering tools, case studies, and peer exchanges that tackled both operational and systemic challenges in the BDS space.
The wrap-up session served as a moment of reflection and forward planning. Participants illustrated their personal learning journey and highlighted a key takeaway in plenary, reinforcing how SCALE 360 had helped reshape their organisation.
Following this, organisations revisited the goals they set during the program’s kickoff, assessing their progress and identifying further support needed to move forward. These moments highlighted how the program had not only transferred knowledge but also supported tangible shifts in mindset and approach.
Two years ago, I participated in the Scale workshop in Cambodia and found the framework to be really interesting and beneficial. It truly helps our BDS providers in Cambodia strengthen their capacity. I saw this as a great opportunity to work with the Scale 360 program and contribute to our entrepreneurial ecosystem in Cambodia. My most memorable moment as a coach for the 'Charging' component was seeing the shift in our cohort's mindset during the one-on-one coaching sessions. They began to rethink how to design and deliver their programs by considering how to monetize them.
Two dynamic evaluation rounds gave participants the opportunity to reflect on both the content and structure of the SCALE 360 program. The first round, conducted through rotating stations for each module, captured feedback on content quality, learning value, relevance, and usefulness. Participants appreciated the practical tools, peer exchanges, and exposure to local and global practices, while also expressing interest in deeper learning on charging models and fee calculation. The second round focused on program structure, with participants praising the virtual classes, effective breakout sessions, and insightful coaching. Benchmarking, goal setting, and pre-readings were seen as valuable for self-assessment and preparation.
ANDE’s approach—grounded in global evidence, local adaptation, and peer learning—proved critical in creating a safe space for experimentation and honest dialogue. Participants shared failures as openly as successes, sparking collective problem-solving and long-term partnerships.
A post workshop survey indicated that participants have actively applied the SCALE 360 learnings to enhance both program design and internal operations. 100% of participants reported being satisfied or strongly satisfied with the program, and 90% indicated an increased or strongly increased capacity to offer improved program support to small and growing businesses (SGBs). Many sought to improve their selection processes by adopting multi-stage approaches and tools like VIRAL and benchmarking from partners, aiming for better alignment and stronger participant commitment. The charging module led to experimentation with access fees, milestone-based incentives, and clearer communication of program value to foster ownership. In addressing challenges, programs increasingly embedded problem-solving approaches into mentoring, peer learning, and real-time coaching. Finally, the leadership module inspired internal reflection and organizational improvements, including better team coordination, clearer process documentation, and a stronger commitment to inclusive and adaptive practices. While the formal program has ended, support continues through coaching, resource sharing, and connection to the broader ANDE global network. The Cambodia cohort joins a growing movement of entrepreneurial support organizations that are not only helping others grow but are now better equipped to grow themselves.
ANDE SCALE 360 Cambodia is partnering with Enhancing Entrepreneurial Ecosystem and Investments (3Ei), co-implemented by Khmer Enterprise and Swisscontact and funded by Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and Khmer Enterprise.