Skills, not Money, are Key to Startups, Students Told
CEO of Wonderpress Technology Tuy Chandara (right) and project manager at Campus Company Heng Voleak (center), gave their insight in the “Gen Z and the Future of Startup” workshop. Photo: Startup Cambodia.
- By Cambodianess
- December 28, 2023 11:55 AM
PHNOM PENH – People wanting to establish their own startups have identified lack of money and time as key concerns.
The issues were raised at a “Gen Z and the Future of Startup” workshop to aid startups and entrepreneurship. The event was held at the National University of Management on Dec. 26.
However, panelists who have developed from university students to run their businesses advised students to not worry about shortages of money and time.
Tuy Chandara, CEO of Wonderpress Technology, agreed that money is a big help but students should prioritize skills and the right teammates as the core to success.
On money doubts, he said, “We can do the project and earn money. Then create our own business.
“Why are skills important? Even if we work for a company, we need to use our skills. The company pays us after our work finishes.”
If the teammates have different perceptions, the startup will not grow. Startups have failed due to disagreement and conflict in the team.
The right teammates with the same goal can smooth the journey by completing the work process together.
Heng Voleak, a project manager at Campus Company, also put more weight on skills.
Students should focus on upgrading their knowledge and creating new ideas as the biggest contributors to a startup's ability to attract clients.
She advised students not to delay their process by waiting to get enough time and money.
“Don’t wait until you have everything. Because work teaches us,” she said. “When we succeed, we have the passion to go on, and when we fail, we learn.”
Chandara and Voleak say it is not too late or too early for students to seek the opportunity to train and learn about startups from Startup Cambodia or others.
Regardless of their majors, students must have real skills to practice and the courage to participate in social business. Otherwise, their career is stuck.
With the support from different programs, the number of startups in Cambodia has grown rapidly over the years and now around 600 startups are active.
