You might think a coffee shop could be a good working space. There’s no need to rent office.
Well, try it a few times yourself. After that you will agree with me that a coffee shop is not an ideal working space.
Some day I need to go from one shop to another because their internet connection is not working. I usually need to bring my earphone with me to fight against the voices around me.
You might need a place where you can concentrate on your work. A place that encourages your creativity. A place that can give you a good internet access. A place that you can feel you belong to.
But you’re alone. You are an entrepreneur. You don’t need a big office or rent an entire house.
There’s a solution for you. We call it “Co-working Space”.
Co-working space is a shared office. You might have your desk in an open space with others or have your own small office.
Co-working space provides everything you need to start working without interrupt. It was built by the people who have the same issue as you. You might also have chance to meet people who have the same mindset as yours. You can even during the break discuss your business ideas and share your difficulties you face in your business.
Co-working space is ideal for solo entrepreneur.
Unfortunately, there are not many co-working space in Cambodia. I will introduce you a few places that I know. Half of them I visited the places myself. Half of them I found through my researches.
Colab
Colab is probably the first co-working space in Phnom Penh, operated since 2010.
I know a few people there. They have a regular meet up every month. I would suggest you go and join the meetup first, to have an idea how the place looks like.
I am sure you will have a good discussion with people there. I love the cool beers there too!
SmallWorld
SmallWorld was founded at the end of 2011 by Cambodian entrepreneurs. I visited the place few times. It is located at Toul Kork.
Most of them are young Cambodian who have a lot of great ideas to start their own business. I would recommend you visit the place first. Ask for Rithy when you arrive there. He’s a nice funny guy who will give you a warm welcome and introduce you the place.
Send him a tweet to make sure if he’s at the office. He like travel a lot.
AngkorHub
AngkorHub is located in Siem Reap. I am not sure when it is created but refer to the website age, it is opened not more than a year ago.
1961
1961 is not simply a co-working space but it is decorated with a lot of different arts.
It is just recently opened in Siem Reap. I plan to visit it next time when I go to Siem Reap.
I will end up the post here. If you know any other co-working space in Cambodia, drop me an email and I am happy to update this page to make it as a good resource for freelancer or entrepreneur who look for a good place to work.
Happy working!
It is very useful article brother, you are providing a lot of great ideas for who would like to run a business especially for co working space coffee shop. Thanks
Thank Samnang, I am glad to convert this blog to be more useful for those who need a platform to promote their art work, business or anything they like to let the world know.
Chum Sirath says
Really interesting blog on co working space. I didn’t know it exists
Thank you for your comment and support this blog so far! I am glad I can introduce about co-working to Cambodian people.
That’s good post for someone who need to startup anything from their own. I used to face a problem of Internet while I’m travelling away from home. But now, it’s solved. I always bring my 3G Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspot with me. It’s very useful and I don’t care about Internet Connections of Coffee shop or use a very slow connection also.
I would recommend everyone to use this Mobile Wi-Fi even though you found your Co-Working Space. Check this out, Click Here
Thank Sopheak,
I didn’t know we have such device. We can’t share Hotspot from our phone but it will consume the better a lot. If we have a separate Wi-Fi, we don’t have to worry about the battery of our phone and I guess the speed is also faster that sharing from phone.
Yeah bro, you’re right.
The speed of Internet is faster than sharing from phone, I’m sure. By the way, I just have another model of 3G Wi-Fi include Power Bank feature. So that, you just bring it with then you’ll have Internet Connection and Power Bank in ONE. Is that cool?
Cool! It’s nice to introduce kind of products for people in Cambodia. We have a lot of shops where the owner don’t know what they sell.
Good luck for the business!
AngorHUB - Coworking in Siem Reap says
Hello guys!
First, I would like to say thanks to Santel Phin for this article.
We are opened since April but the project started September 2013. At the time, they were no real dedicated coworking spaces in Siem Reap. Local expats were very enthusiasts about the idea of having one from a survey and by chatting in person with people I was seeing around town in popular cafés between 2 power cuts and slow Internet
To reply to Sopheak, The thing about 3G hotspot and tether using your phone data connection will not make you connect with other human beings as well as enjoying A/C and comfortable chairs
Coworking Spaces (without the dash) are community driven places. But also places to get things done and grow your network.
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source: deskmag global coworking survey
I was a digital nomad myself and started AngkorHUB because it was very hard to be able to work correctly in cafés or free places, by the noise, grinding machines for smoothies or sand on the keyboard :p I’ve started a list on foursquare called “Cafés to work with free wifi” : https://foursquare.com/jflaflamme/list/cafés-to-work-with-free-wifi
When I am on the to move in Cambodia, I am using Metfone 3G but couple of days later I have to fill $5 again, which one do you use ? I am curious.
Keep up the good work and don’t hesitate to connect with me or AngkorHUB
Jeff
Twitter @Angkorhub http://fb.com/angkorhub or our website http://angkorhub.com we are also on foursquare http://4sq.com/1fJRbUe
AngorHUB - Coworking in Siem Reap says
Oh, sorry I put special characters and was interpreted as HTML.
The text inside the tags is :
The benefits of coworking continue to be realized: 71% of respondents said their creativity had increased since joining, and 62% said their standard of work had improved. Countering the common claim that coworking spaces can be distracting, 68% said they were able to focus better, as compared to 12% who said the opposite. 64% said they could better complete tasks on time.
Thank Jeff for your comment.
To me co-working space is much better than sitting in a coffee shop for sure. We can interact with people who can understand us.
It is creative than putting an earphone to avoid the noise.
Yeah, I don’t compare with LAN network and Comfortable place.
The 3G Mobile Hotspot is very useful for you while you’re away from Home or Co-working space or when you’re in Coffee Shop.
You should buy the Mobile Internet Package such as XG or iNET from Cellcard, Smart Exchange from Smart or 3G Package from Metfone. You can’t afford if you use Internet through your direct balance without changing to any packages data.
Good Luck,
Sopheak.