Press Release: iDE Cambodia integrates SHE Investments into its operations— 30 January 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Tet Chan with iDE Cambodia (email: tchann@ideglobal.org)

Phnom Penh, Cambodia (January 30, 2023) – iDE, a global nonprofit, and SHE Investments today announced they have joined forces, combining SHE’s expertise in training and coaching women entrepreneurs with iDE’s extensive footprint across rural Cambodia and successful track record in inclusive market development.

As of January 1, 2024, the SHE team was integrated as a program within iDE Cambodia and will continue its important work, designing and delivering gender-focused, culturally-tailored business incubator and accelerator programs for women.

iDE Cambodia’s country director Kevin Robbins said the integration of SHE into iDE was a natural fit as the two organizations shared a mission and vision to deliver programs focused on scaling support for women entrepreneurs as multipliers of positive impact for their families and communities.

“We are delighted to welcome SHE within the iDE umbrella. SHE has a strong and well-deserved reputation for delivering high-impact incubator and accelerator programs, along with other support services for entrepreneurs, that support Cambodian businesswomen to be financially successful and prosper on their own terms,” said Robbins.

Robbins said women-led businesses played an essential role in creating jobs, raising standards of living, and boosting inclusive growth. However, women face a wide range of challenges, including access to right-fit and affordable finance, technology, and support services. 

“By focusing on women entrepreneurs, iDE and SHE can empower whole communities, boosting prosperity and wellbeing. Evidence shows, for example, that women are more likely to invest their earnings in their children’s health and education.”

SHE co-founder, Celia Boyd, said she was thrilled to know SHE’s work will continue to grow and impact many more women, families and communities in partnership with iDE.

“We are endlessly proud and grateful for the many people and partners who have been a part of SHE’s journey, and the incredible women across Cambodia who we have been lucky enough to work with on their own business journeys,” said Boyd.

“The past decade has led to an impactful methodology that truly puts women entrepreneurs at the center of all we do, and we cannot think of a better partner to scale this impact further than iDE.”

Under the new arrangement, SHE has transitioned to be based in iDE's Phnom Penh and Siem Reap offices, and SHE’s current branding will change to include the tagline "powered by iDE".

As always, iDE welcomes your questions and comments. You can reach us at partnership@ideglobal.org

About iDE

iDE (International Development Enterprises) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending poverty. We work in sectors including agriculture, sanitation, climate change resilience, and gender equality. iDE believes in powering small-scale entrepreneurs and building robust market ecosystems that lay the groundwork for low income and marginalized people to prosper on their own terms. iDE has about 1,300 global staff – including those in Cambodia – across 10 countries in Africa, Asia and Central America.

Click here to learn more about iDE.

About SHE

SHE (Support Her Enterprise Co., Ltd) was a social enterprise committed to building a gender-responsive ecosystem of support to enable women-led micro-small enterprises in Cambodia to scale and create economic, social, and environmental impact for communities. Having delivered programs that have supported thousands of women across more than ten provinces of Cambodia from 2015-2023, SHE tailored its programs to suit diverse communities and remote settings. By implementing a range of successful pilot projects, the organization has laid a strong foundation for high-quality, high-impact program creation. 

Click here to learn more about SHE.