Cambodia’s startup ecosystem is thriving, but early-stage startups and MSMEs often face significant barriers, including regulatory challenges, investor scepticism, and funding limitations. This situation leaves 80% of Cambodian MSMEs struggling to secure financing, contributing to a staggering $7.7 billion funding gap. Traditional loans remain largely inaccessible due to high interest rates, lengthy approval processes, and strict collateral requirements. Meanwhile, scepticism and complex regulations hinder external investments.
Quanta is changing that. As Cambodia’s first youth-led TechFin, this startup is pioneering a crowdlending platform that bridges tech startups and SMEs with potential lenders, fostering financial inclusion and business expansion.
The Birth of Quanta
Quanta was formed in 2022 through SmartEdu USDP, where the founding members collaborated to find solutions to financial innovation challenges. They later reunited in June 2024 after identifying an urgent need to advance peer-to-peer lending in Cambodia, spurred by WingBank’s problem statement under the Reverse Innovation Cohort 4, an acceleration program organized by Techo Startup Center. Here is their shared vision: to create a seamless, scalable platform that simplifies access to funding.
What is a TechFin?
Unlike traditional fintech startups, Quanta is a TechFin. It is a technology company doing finance rather than FinTech who is finance company utilizing technology. Quanta integrates with existing financial infrastructures rather than building standalone solutions. Their SaaS-based platform enhances trust and efficiency through:
- Digital verification (eKYC/eKYB) and credit scoring for secure lending
- Alternative financing models for businesses without traditional collateral
- Seamless integration with initiatives like Credit Bureau Cambodia & CamDX
MVP Development & Strategic Partnerships
Quanta has validated market demand by analyzing financing gaps and defining target customer segments. Its selection as a Top 5 team in Reverse Innovation Cohort 4 underscores the viability of its model. Currently, the team is focusing on:
- Develop platform architecture and integrate eKYC/eKYB solutions with CamDX
- Explore credit guarantee mechanisms with CGCC and CBC to reduce lending risks
- Prepare for a 2026 soft launch, focusing on MVP development and early user acquisition
Meet the Team Behind Quanta
Quanta’s strength lies in its diverse team of young professionals:
- Chhun Phanlanady (Research & Marketing Lead) – An economic researcher and digital marketing strategist, Nady specializes in market trends, regulatory frameworks, and brand positioning.
- Kheng Pitou (Operations Lead) – With a background in Software Engineering, Pitou ensures operations and team workflow, supporting business development while assisting in tech development when needed.
- Chhun Sovannara (Finance Lead) – An auditor and finance expert, Nara oversees financial structuring, compliance, and revenue modeling, ensuring transparency and scalability in Quanta’s financial operations.
- Khen Pheakdey (Tech Lead) – Pheakdey, a full-stack developer, leads platform development, bridging business strategy and technical execution to build a secure, scalable system.
- Sak Sovannpanharith (Backend Developer) – With experience in telecom program management, Rith specializes in API integrations, server infrastructure, and system optimization.
Together, the team is building a transformative crowdlending platform designed to empower Cambodia’s MSMEs.