Oxfam Launches a Region First GEDSI Capital Readiness Studio

Text by: San Sor

In the entrepreneurial ecosystem, women-led ventures often face challenges when securing capital, partly due to founders devoting most of their time to business operations. Consequently, there is often a lack of attention given to developing next-level management, which is crucial for investors assessing risk during the due diligence phase. However, recognizing and addressing this issue can enhance investment prospects and facilitate the growth and scalability of these ventures. In response to this challenge, Oxfam through its Impact SME Development Program, together with Mekong Inclusive Ventures have introduced the region’s first GEDSI Capital Readiness Studio (GCRS).

The GEDSI Capital Readiness Studio is a groundbreaking technical advisory program that aims to empower founders and their management teams. It focuses on integrating Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) strategies to enhance their readiness for various forms of capital investment. By explicitly incorporating a GEDSI perspective into both internal and marketing efforts, the program significantly boosts the likelihood of these ventures to access the necessary capital. Additionally, it addresses the common hurdle of limited capital access among women-led ventures by strengthening management teams through direct technical guidance, insights into gender lens investing, and improving their investment readiness.

The launch of the GEDSI Capital Readiness Studio (GCRS) took place on March 21, 2024, at Oxfam office. Five enterprises including SHE Agro Cam, Agri House, Cambodia Knits, Fair Weave and Danish Care Food were selected to be empowered as part of the first cohort.

Ms. Sothea Mao, the founder of SHE Agro Cam, is excited about upskilling her management team as she prepares them to raise capital and invest in cashew processing equipment, thereby increasing the value and profitability of their products for export from Cambodia.

Similarly, another Khmer woman founder, Ms. Lundy Chou from Agri House, eagerly anticipates receiving support for her team. Lundy expressed frustrations with other programs that sorely focus on the C Suite of enterprises (executive-level manager, leaving her, as a CEO, to train her team independently upon returning to her office. The GCRS offers founders and their managers an opportunity to learn and prepare for capital readiness together.