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Mekong Strategic's SADIF Venture Capital Fund

THE FIRST AND LARGEST FUND ADVANCING DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT IN CAMBODIA SINCE 2017
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About SADIF

The Smart Axiata Digital Innovation Fund (SADIF) is a leading venture capital fund that has invested in Cambodian-based, high-growth digital companies with innovative visions for how technology can transform lives.

 

Launched in March 2017, SADIF was the first venture capital fund in Cambodia and was conceptualised with the goal of spurring on the digital ecosystem. ​

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Mekong Strategic Ventures (MSV) is the General Partner of SADIF and manages the Fund with support from Mekong Strategic Capital. Our team consists of investment professionals and entrepreneurs that have built, scaled, and invested in numerous successful companies. We work together with Smart, the Limited Partner, to provide unparalleled support for investees.

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In December 2024, Mekong Strategic Ventures announced the successful sale of SADIF’s equity stake in Nham24, Cambodia’s favourite food delivery and e-commerce platform, to Grab, Southeast Asia’s leading super app, the largest fintech transaction in Cambodia's history.

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If you have any questions or would like to know more about SADIF please email us.

Mekong Strategic Ventures

GENERAL PARTNER

Mekong Strategic Ventures (MSV) is part of Mekong Strategic Capital, an investment management and advisory services firm, specializing in the Greater Mekong Region.

www.mekongstrategic.com

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Smart

LIMITED PARTNER

Smart is the leading mobile telecommunications company in Cambodia serving more than eight million subscribers. It is part of Axiata Group Berhad, one of the largest telco groups in Asia . 

www.smart.com.kh

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How We Add Value

SADIF has made investments between $100K - $500K in 10 tech start-ups. But SADIF is so much more than a financial investment.

 

From the fund's inception, our objective has been to leverage the expertise of MSV and Smart to maximise the opportunities for and successes of our investees. We have supported our entrepreneurs with access to experienced mentors, industry advice, and wide-reaching networks.

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The resulting insights into market dynamics, strategic partnerships, and strategic direction have helped the businesses grow exponentially.

OUR INVESTEES HAVE BENEFITTED FROM:

Investment Capital

Funding to accelerate growth of the company

Strategic Advice

Catalysing growth with support from industry leaders and experienced investors

Strategic Access

Leveraging Smart’s best-in-class brand and wide-reaching marketing channels and accessing more than 8 million Smart subscribers and enterprise customers, digital platforms and additional infrastructure

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Our Investment Strategy

SADIF has focused on early-stage and growth-stage tech companies that are driving digital transformation in Cambodia.

 

Priority sectors for investment included consumer, enterprise and digital platforms.

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In considering investment opportunities we sought to identify:

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  • Capable and best-in-class teams ​

  • Businesses with scope for scale and market growth ​

  • Opportunities that had clear exit strategies for strategic acquisition (trade sale) and capital market exits

OUR APPROACH

Target companies with sound unit economics

WHY?

  • Vanity metrics don’t produce returns​

  • Cash flows and financial sustainability are imperative

Invest in capital efficient tech-enabled businesses

WHY?

  • They are typically highly scalable​

  • There tends to be a greater range of exit strategies​

  • There tends to be less risk for the capital investment 

Add value to investees

WHY?

  • Even the most capable teams can benefit from support ​

  • Good discipline requires continual review and improvement of partnership, strategy, operations, and capital structures​

​Pursue exit opportunities

WHY?

  • It is not all about fundraising the next round, but actual cash return ​

  • Exit requires creativity and foresight

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Remaining Investments

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Nham24​

Food & Grocery Delivery/Quick Commerce​

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  • Nham24 is Cambodia’s super e-commerce for delivery of food, groceries, packages, quick commerce and taxi.​

  • Nham24 is the current market leader for food delivery in Cambodia.​

  • Established in 2016, Nham24 has established a brand reputation for:​

    • Fair offers to restaurant merchants, drivers and customers.​

    • Simplified ordering process​

    • Variety of services and options​

    • Friendly and reliable services

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Morakot​

FinTech/Core Banking System

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  • Morakot is a Cambodian cloud-based core banking system (CBS) for microfinance institutions (MFIs), banks and other financial institutions, boasting 41+ enterprise customers in Cambodia and Myanmar.​​

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  • Morakot CBS helps improve operation efficiency, improve loan process and risk management of financial institutions.

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Goama (Gogames)​

GameTech

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  • GoGames is a gamification platform which enables customizable gaming functionality to be integrated 
    into partners' apps, thereby empowering customers to attract, engage and monetize their user base.​​

    • 4 million+ monthly active users ​

    • 320 million+ gameplays in 2022​

    • Providing gamification in 24+ countries​

    • Clients include PepsiCo, FoodPanda, Snickers

 

 

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Okra

EnergyTech

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  • Okra provides automated solar mesh-grid technology that can be set up in last-mile communities at a low cost by leveraging distributed energy and internet-of-thing (IOT).​

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  • Okra has energized a total of 7,500+ people and 1,513 households in 62 villages and 4 countries in Cambodia, the Philippines, Nigeria and Haiti.

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Exited Investments

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Sala

EdTech

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  • Sala is a school management system (SMS) and digital school enrollment platform in Cambodia.​

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  • Sala has 25+ schools using its platform and 22,700+ students facilitated and managed through Sala School and Learning Management System​.

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  • Sala SMS aims to make management of schools and students easier and cost-efficient.​

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  • Sala’s enrollment platform aims to empower high school students with their college major and future career choices.

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Joonaak

LogisticTech

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  • Joonaak provides end-to-end solutions to social merchants offering first and last-mile delivery, cross-border shipping, warehousing and fulfilment using an advanced app platform.

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  • Joonak aggregates and provides real-time delivery data updates to users and has consolidated over 300,000 sale transactions by connecting users to national delivery solutions.

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Banhji

Fintech

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  • Banhji is a cloud accounting software and point-of-sales system for micro, small and medium enterprises.​

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  • Banhji aims to improve access to financing for small businesses through developing proper financial reports.

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DRVR

LogisticTech

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  • DRVR is a telematics and fleet intelligence platform that can help insurers and fleet operators reduce costs, improve safety and acquire new customers.​

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  • DRVR has 3,000+ connected vehicles and 12+ fleet operators and insurers.

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Sousdey

CRM Platform

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  • Sousdey offers a range of social media oriented Customer Relationship Management solutions for merchants to boost productivity and sales.

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Agribuddy

AgriTech

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  • Agribuddy is an agriculture marketplace and financing platform.​

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Our Team

The Investment & Operations team manages all aspects of SADIF. It is made up of professionals from Mekong Strategic Capital who have unrivalled experience in capital markets across the region​:

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  • Stephen Higgins, Co-founder & Managing Partner

  • John McGinley, Co-founder & Managing Partner

  • Bora Kem, Partner

  • Ian Gisbourne, Chief Investment Officer

  • Bun Meng Leng, Investment Manager

  • Lychou Sok, Investment Associate

  • Bophana Chap, Head of Finance

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For more information about each of us please visit the Mekong Strategic Capital team section.​​

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