The mission of the Mekong Challenge is to encourage and support young entrepreneurship and venture-led development in the Mekong region in Asia.
It is the region’s leading annual competition for young entrepreneurs and helps to connect entrepreneurs, international and local businesses, and key academics. Originally established in 2006 in Phnom Penh as the ‘McKinsey Business Plan Challenge’ in partnership with the National University of Management, it became the Mekong Challenge in 2008 and expanded to include Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. The National University of Management is part of the SEASIN project, supporting social innovation in Southeast Asia in partnership with the European Union and the Erasmus+ Capacity Building Programme.
The Lao team pitching and sampling in 2013 at IBMC, Harvard University
The Mekong Challenge has since evolved into a business model competition, that leverages leading-edge thinking on entrepreneurship and business model design tools. Since 2011/12, the Mekong Challenge has covered Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam, and Bhutan was added to the list in 2015/16.
Over the past 12 years…
- 1000 applications have been received
- 110 teams have participated
- 12 successful business have been established by Mekong Challenge alumni, these include…
Brown Coffee and Bakery, Cambodia
Brown Coffee and Bakery is committed to providing their customers with the highest quality coffee and pastry products and have fourteen outlets, a delivery service, baking facility and training centre.
360 Advertising and Event Agency, Cambodia
An agency with a focus on ‘growth through collaboration’ that supports business clients by providing sales and advertising support on a number of platforms, including organising multiple annual fairs.
Wheel Go Round, Thailand
An online information hub for wheelchair users that maps accessible attractions, hotels and restaurants around South-East Asia.
Vexere.com, Vietnam
An online transport booking system with zero fees! Vexere.com has become the largest platform for booking bus travel in Vietnam.
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