1. Home
  2. Where we work
  3. Cambodia
  4. 3Ei Brands
  5. Mentorship Pillar

Mentorship Pillar

To build a skilled pool of mentors in Battambang and Siem Reap and equip them to support the growth of women-owned micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), the Inclusive Mentoring Network for Entrepreneurs (IMNEt) is a program designed to identify potential mentors and provide training on effective support and nurturing of local women entrepreneurs. The program emphasizes sustainable, gender-sensitive mentorship that addresses the unique challenges faced by women entrepreneurs. By empowering mentors with the necessary skills and knowledge, IMNEt ensures that they can offer tangible guidance and support, fostering the growth and success of women-led businesses in these regions. 

Background

The Mentorship Pillar of the Enhancing Entrepreneurial Ecosystem and Investments (3Ei) initiative builds on the findings of the Gender Lens Investing (GLI) Landscape Study (2023), conducted by Swisscontact in collaboration with the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF). The study identified key opportunities and gaps in supporting women-led enterprises in Cambodia and provided recommendations to strengthen gender-sensitive investment and mentorship practices.  

Inclusive Mentoring Network for Entrepreneurs (IMNEt)
The Inclusive Mentoring Network for Entrepreneurs (IMNEt) strengthens the support ecosystem for women-owned micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Battambang and Siem Reap. The program identifies and trains mentors to provide sustainable, gender-sensitive guidance, equipping them to address the unique challenges faced by women entrepreneurs. Through targeted mentorship, IMNEt empowers mentors to offer practical support, fostering the growth and success of women-led businesses in these regions.
Entrepreneurship Mentor Development Program (EMD)
The Entrepreneurship Mentor Development Program (EMD) aims to strengthen the quality and effectiveness of mentorship within Cambodia’s entrepreneurial ecosystem by developing a recognized pool of qualified and professional mentors. The program focuses on enhancing mentor capacity to deliver structured, practical, and relevant support to startups and MSMEs, contributing to more consistent and impactful mentorship outcomes nationwide.

The Mentorship Pillar functions as a key component of the entrepreneurial ecosystem by developing skilled mentors to support emerging entrepreneurs, particularly women-owned businesses. Through the Inclusive Mentoring Network for Entrepreneurs (IMNEt), the pillar trained mentors in Battambang and Siem Reap and connected them with women entrepreneurs through structured mentorship. Building on the success of IMNEt, the Entrepreneurship Mentor Development Program (EMD), launched in 2026 in partnership with AUPP Technology Centre (ATC), aims to develop a nationally recognized pool of certified mentors to scale mentorship support across Cambodia. 

Resources

GLI Landscape Report
13 MB
IMNEt Program Two-pager
3 MB