On November 2nd, 2025, the atmosphere at AUPP High School, Foxcroft Academy was filled with energy, creativity, and a spirit of innovation. This was the scene of the Young Founders Summit Phnom Penh 2025, a program that brought together over 120 promising young individuals aged 15 to 20 from various high schools and universities to embark on a remarkable entrepreneurial experience.

This spirit of initiative perfectly aligns with the message shared by Pidor Lydet, CEO and Founder of Tech for Kids Academy, during his opening remarks: "Everything begins with curiosity and the courage to start. Your decision to be here today is a testament to that courage and marks a crucial first step for yourselves."

The Young Founders Summit, co-organized by Tech for Kids Academy and Wavesparks.co, is more than just a one-day event. It is a commitment to building a robust platform for youth that provides essential skills, direct guidance from experts, and a strong network for collaboration. Our primary goal is to cultivate a new generation of leaders who are not only technically proficient but also intelligent problem-solvers, confident communicators, resilient, and adaptable individuals who can turn challenges into opportunities for learning and self-development.

To bring this mission to life, the full-day program focused on hands-on learning and practical application. Participants began by exploring the Design Thinking methodology, a crucial approach for entrepreneurs to identify and solve problems innovatively.

The importance of deeply understanding user problems was further emphasized by Mrs. Ee Ling Lim, Co-Founder and CEO of Wavesparks.co, who shared this meaningful advice: "An entrepreneur starts with a problem and is the one who finds a solution to solve it. To find a successful solution, we must understand the user and their problem, because if you try to find a solution for everyone, you will end up solving no one's problem."

With this clear perspective in mind, the students immediately applied their newfound knowledge. Working in teams, they moved from ideation to creating product prototypes using new tools under the direct guidance of mentors from Singapore.

What was truly remarkable was the spirit of collaboration. We saw students rally together, share ideas, and work collectively to achieve their common goals. However, the most impressive moment was seeing their confidence as they stood before their peers and experts to present their projects. This was more than just a presentation; it was a crucial rehearsal, giving students a real taste of pitching their ideas as entrepreneurs in front of actual investors. Their ability to articulate their creative ideas and respond to questions with conviction clearly demonstrated they possess both the potential and the confidence to become the leaders and innovators that society needs, both now and in the future.

The success of the Young Founders Summit Phnom Penh 2025 is a clear testament to our commitment. As a key part of the "RISE by TKA" initiative from Tech for Kids Academy, we are incredibly proud to have created this powerful platform, which aims not only to strengthen the capabilities of local youth but also to prepare them to compete on the international stage.

We extend our deepest gratitude to Wavesparks.co for initiating this collaboration and for their full support. Our thanks also go to the mentors, guest speakers, and the entire organizing team.

Most importantly, we commend and thank all 120 outstanding young individuals who brought their energy, creativity, and courage to this event. This journey in Phnom Penh is just the beginning.

Stay tuned for the announcement of the outstanding candidates who will be selected to receive sponsorship to attend the Young Founder Summit Asia in Singapore