“What if finding a charging station was as easy as opening an app - and what if that same app could help station owners grow their business too?”
This question sparked EVantage, a startup tackling one of Cambodia’s most urgent challenges in electric mobility. For Chhay Keokanitha, the idea began in Hungary, as part of her master’s thesis in computer engineering. “I realized drivers didn’t have a clear way to find chargers, and station owners lacked the tools and data to run their stations efficiently. That’s when I saw an opportunity to solve the problem with technology,” she recalls.
The challenge is clear. Based on EVantage’s internal research conducted around May 2025, over 70% of Cambodian EV drivers struggle to find a reliable charger, while charging stations operate at less than 40% capacity. Fragmented networks, unclear pricing, and limited operational data continue to make things difficult for both drivers and station owners. With 258 charging stations mapped, growing government incentives for EV adoption, and no dominant charging platform in the market, the timing was right for EVantage to step in.
Determined to build a solution, Keokanitha teamed up with Phol Sopheaktra (CTO), and together they shaped what would become EVantage. The name says it all: “EV” for Electric Vehicle, and “Vantage” for advantage - reflecting the goal of giving both drivers and station owners an edge through smarter insights, convenience, and data-driven innovation.
EVantage’s solution is simple yet powerful. The team built a mobile app that allows drivers to locate, reserve, and pay at charging stations, alongside a dashboard for station owners to monitor usage, analyzedata, and optimize operations. Keokanitha added “We’re not just building a tool - we’re building a system that helps everyone use EV charging more easily and efficiently.”
Getting here wasn’t easy. EVantage began as a student project with limited resources and credibility. Convincing others that it could grow into something meaningful was challenging, but the team persisted-prototyping, speaking with users, and refining their solution - each step reinforcing that the problem was real and solvable.
Participation in the ACTSmart Incubation Program provided mentorship, industry insights, and practical guidance. Feedback from experts and early users helped the team sharpen features, validate assumptions, and build confidence as they prepared to bring their solution to market.
Their efforts gained further recognition in November 2025, through the Techo Startup Center’s Reverse Innovation Cohort 5, where EVantage received Equity Funding and the Strategic Insight Award. This acknowledgment further validated the relevance of their solution and its potential to scale across Cambodia’s growing EV ecosystem.
By connecting drivers with station owners and providing tools to manage operations more efficiently, EVantage is helping shape a cleaner, smarter, and more connected electric mobility ecosystem in Cambodia.
EVantage proves that when you focus on real problems, listen to users, and persist through challenges, a thoughtful, well-executed idea can grow into a solution that drives meaningful, lasting change.
Smart Startup Space is Smart Axiata’s initiative to propel the entrepreneurial landscape of Cambodia. It’s a dynamic, purpose-driven space designed to nurture the next generation of digital innovators in Cambodia.
We believe in startups, innovators, and entrepreneurs at all levels across Cambodia. Their ideas, beliefs, and bold actions inspire us.
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