Project: Tanmia wa Tatweer: Egypt’s Entrepreneurship Development Project (TwT)

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR INCUBATION SERVICES PROVIDERS

Field : Handicrafts

Area: Oasis – El Wadi El Gadid

1. Introduction:
The project entitled “Tanmia wa Tatweer: Egypt’s Entrepreneurship Development Project”
(known as TwT) is funded by the Multi-Donor Trust Fund for Countries in Transition (TFT)
through the African Development Bank, and implemented by the Academy for Scientific
Research and Technology (ASRT). Project implementation started in June 2020 and continues
until December 30, 2021. The project objective is to enhance and support the entrepreneurship
ecosystem in Egypt to enable empowerment of existing and potential entrepreneurs,
particularly youth and women, to establish, manage and operate successful innovation-driven
businesses in 3 priority sectors: (i) agribusiness; (ii) clean and green; and (iii) creative industries
with a focus on handicrafts and performing arts. This will be achieved by supporting the
implementation of a total of 12 incubation and acceleration programs, giving focus to
disenfranchised areas such as Upper Egypt and New Valley, as well as to women and youth. In
addition, a number of other activities will be conducted to enhance the overall enabling
environment in entrepreneurship development, such as the commissioning of studies and best
practices; supporting a national platform for entrepreneurship development; networking with
the main stakeholders, etc. The outcomes expected from the implementation of the TwT
project are: • Supporting a total of 480 start-ups through 5 incubation and 7 acceleration
programs. • Jobs created: 1860 direct jobs and 3720 indirect jobs; • 50% of project beneficiaries
are to be inhabitants of Upper Egypt and remote areas, • 50% of the project beneficiaries are to
be women. By design, the project comprises three components: (i) Enhancement of Enabling
Environment; (ii) Direct Support to Entrepreneurs, and
(iii) Project Management

2. Implementing Agency:
The Academy of Scientific Research & Technology (ASRT) is a non‐profit entity affiliated to the
ministry of scientific research. ASRT is the Egyptian house of expertise. It brings together
outstanding Egyptian scientists and experts from universities, research institutions, private
sector, NGOs, policymakers and prominent expatriate Egyptian scientists to deliberate the
country’s problems, propose and carry out scientific studies and future strategic basic plans to
tackle these problems.

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 ASRT supports the Innovation Cycle by inaugurating new bylaws, funding mechanisms and
initiatives holding public and private partnership, using social innovation, and developing local
manufacturing. ASRT is one of the executive arms for the National Sector Strategy for Science,
Technology, and Innovation under the EGYPT 2030 strategy.

3. ToR Purpose

The purpose of this Terms of Reference is to recruit a consultancy firm that is capable of
designing and implementing a pre-incubation and Incubation services program to help identify,
develop and support robust and knowledgeable potential entrepreneurs who can build,
operate, and sustain start-ups from the ideation phase up to the early growth phase in the
sector of Handicrafts. The consultancy firm is expected to provide support in the form of
technical, administrative, managerial, business, marketing and legal coaching and mentoring
program that will lead to registered firms that are productive, operate a business, create jobs
and are part of a vibrant local entrepreneurial economy in Handicrafts sector, located in Oasis.
The duration of the contract will be for 6 months, during which the pre-incubation and
incubation program will be implemented.

In this specific case, the definition of Oasis refers to: Kharga and/or Dakhla Oasis located in
governorate of Elwadi Elgadid. The definition of Handicrafts refers to a wide variety of products
that are useful, decorative objects of cultural or artisanal local significance and are made by
hand, by using simple tools and specific techniques, and generally, using locally-availed
products. Potential entrepreneurs refer to a specific target group consisting of youth between
18-40, and 50% women, who have a creative and innovation-driven idea, that is related to a
handicraft of cultural, artistic significance and have an added value to the craftsmanship and
productivity.

TWT is inviting eligible consultancy firms1 to submit proposals for the design, provision and
implementation of effective and relevant incubation services to potential entrepreneurs, and
start-ups at various stages of project/company development and with different needs, and their
product focus should be within the sector of Handicrafts.

Interested parties must demonstrate deep knowledge of the need for the proposed services,
and must clarify how they are going to deliver such services. The context of COVID19 must be
taken into consideration for the service delivery aspect. Interested parties must also
demonstrate how they intend to monitor and evaluate the efficacy and effectiveness of the
services to the beneficiaries as well as explain how they will mitigate any identified shortfalls .

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Formal firms (registered) with audited financial reports for last three years. Also during the implementation of the activities, an
annual audit report must be provided.

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TwT will also avail some grant funding for the incubatees. This funding will be provided through
ASRT to the start-ups and will be governed by certain eligibility rules. The maximum amount
that may be given to each of the eligible start-ups (end-beneficiaries) under the incubation
programs is the equivalent of Euros 2550. It is estimated that around 30 start-ups will receive
grant funding (50% of 60 incubation beneficiaries). Only registered start-ups can receive grant-
fund

Selection of the end-beneficiary from each incubation program eligible to receive grant funding
by the Expert Panel will be the result of a computation of two different assessments: one
conducted by the trainers and the other by the Expert Panel as follows: 20% based on the
trainer’s assessment + 80% based on the Expert Panel [Link] responsibilities of the
consultancy firm selected to implement the incubation program will include elements related to
the provision of grant funding, as detailed in the following section.

The collective key outcomes that must be met by the incubation program:

 At least 60 start-ups receive well-defined incubation services

 50% of entrepreneurs/ start-ups teams must be women or women led
 50% of total entrepreneurs’ start-ups must be classified as youth or youth led. Youth is
defined as individuals between the ages of 18 and 40.

The below timeline chart presents a guide to the estimated duration of the program and its phases

• Awareness & selection of • Pre-incubation activities for at • Incubation activities (4

1st Month

3rd to 6th Month

2nd Month

applicants least 70 participants (3 – 4 months) including:

• submission of inception weeks) including: • Internal pitching to expert
report (1st week) • Technology validation panel (for selection of 60
• launch calls for ideas - target • Trainer assessment incubatees and those eligible
150 applicants (open for 2-3 • Training for grants)
weeks) • Orientation • Licensing and registration (2
• prepare marketing & weeks)
• Business plan development
branding plan • Technical and business needs
• organize launching event assessment (one week)
• organize entrepreneurship • Legal and admin support
awareness session • Physical incubation
• Organize program info • Technical advisory services
sessions • Access to finance
• Prepare incubator physical • Networking
space • Graduation/external pitching
• Evaluation of applicants and event
personal interview (last 2
days)

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 I. Detailed Scope of work for Incubation Services2:

The incubation service provider will be responsible for the following scope of work:

Design and Development of an Incubation model:

1. Design and develop an operational model, over the full contract period of 6 months,
positioned as a comprehensive program for innovation-driven businesses to be incubated
in the field of Handicrafts following the phases shown in chart (1).
2. This program is to include pre-incubation services, incubation services, including
business, legal, administrative, marketing, and managerial services, as well as sector-
specific technical advisory services related to handicrafts including artisanal and hand
made products, cultural products, products from simple materials such as textile, pottery,
glass, wicker, etc.

Promotion of the TwT Incubation Program:

3. Market the full incubation program and prepare and implement a marketing plan to
enroll 60 start-ups into the incubation program.
4. Organize an online launching event for the incubator.
5. Raise awareness on the TwT Incubation program and launch calls for participation that
are focused on the targeted audience. Awareness raising and promotional activities are
to include social media and other media accessible to the target audience. Promotional
activities are to clearly indicate the name of the program, the executing agency, the
financiers, and other important stakeholders.
6. Organize entrepreneurship awareness activities to attract aspiring entrepreneurs to apply
for incubation; including reaching out and building linkages with universities, holding at
least one awareness workshop targeting at least 150 participants, so as to allow for a
final target of 60 participants to be enrolled.
7. Organize at least three info sessions on incubator services, targeted sector, submission
mechanism, and selection criteria. The info sessions are prefereably to be organized
physically in the project area, inviting public figures and experts to motivate potential
entrepreneurs and encourage them to register for participation,
8. Organize a graduation event (demo day) for approximately 100 persons inviting
investors, stakeholders, decision makers from governmental and private institutions,
Governor of the city, Ministers (if available), ASRT and AfDB representatives, where
incubated start-ups will be requested to present/exhibit their products or projects and
share their aspirations.

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2
For the ease, the ToR will refer to the full pre-incubation and incubation program as “the incubation program.”

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 This event is to be recorded so that a short 5 min documentary can be produced (see
below under promotional material).
9. Gender specific considerations are to be integrated to ensure greater participation and
retention of women, leveraging female role models and building networks. Concrete
examples need to be specified in the proposal
10. All the events agenda and venues should be delivered to TwT Project Coordinator and
Field Officer for approval.

Identification and Selection of participants to the Incubation Program

11. Launch a call for ideas, open for 2-3 weeks to receive applications. The call shall be
widely disseminated on social media pages of the services provider, TwT, ASRT,
Universities, student associations, cultural and design houses, etc. The call dissemination
plan is to be shared with TWT Coordinator who will support in the dissemination on
information through various means.
12. The call must have clear objectives, definitions of targeted technologies and products,
criteria, a clear application form (corresponding to evaluation and selection criteria), and
submission. The main objective is to improve the attraction of handicrafts related lines
of business as a profession for youth through innovation and entrepreneurship
opportunities.
13. ASRT shall avail data of potential applicants who participated / applied in ASRT
innovation programs e.g. Ideation Program, Women Up, Graduation projects, and
EIBank
14. Identify potential participants to the program, through rigorous evaluation and selection
mechanisms. This should include review of CVs and ideas, as well as personal interviews
to assess the skills, competencies and characters of the registered participants.

Implementation of the pre-incubation and incubation program

Pre-incubation

15. Implement a pre-incubation program for 3 -4 weeks, enrolling at least 70 start-ups. This
program will include a technical and professional entrepreneurial development
program, combining general business and management competencies with technical
and sector- specific competencies. Implementation can include a combination of
physical and distance-based trainings, as deemed appropriate particularly in the context
of COVID19.
16. Present technical services to validate techniques and prove the concept for a certain
project/ product
17. Build smart partnerships to educate entrepreneurs on how to present tangible value to
companies/enterprises.
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 18. Towards start-up creation (phase 7 of chart-1), there should be a pitching session
organized by the consultancy firm, where the incubatees will pitch their ideas to an
expert panel for funding. At this phase that 60 start-ups will be selected to be incubated
for four
(4) months. The consultancy firm is required to suggest names to ASRT for the expert
panel3, at least 2 weeks before the session.
19. Assessing needs of each selected entrepreneur, business mentoring and coaching,
business consultancy, access to market/trade, customized technical assistance, access to
investment and marketing, and/or integrating into larger value chains.

Incubation Program

Following the expert panel session and assessment by the service provider, the incubation
program will:

20. Avail incubation services over a 4-month period to 60 end-beneficiaries, providing

specialized training (professional) to selected entrepreneurs and start-ups teams to help
ideation-stage entrepreneurs in conceptualizing, realizing a minimum viable product
(MVP) and launching their businesses; and assisting more mature entrepreneurs in
scaling and getting investment–ready and helping the entrepreneurs to apply the
learning to their business.
21. Avail grant funding to 50% of eligible and select participants in the incubation program.
Selection of these participants will be conducted by the expert panel, during an event
that the service provider is to organize.

Avail incubator physical space

21. Avail co-working space, meeting rooms and services that fit the needs of targeted start-
ups, in the project area. The physical space should also include zoom and other e-
meeting facilities due to possible COVID19 restrictions.
22. The co-working space should include desks working chairs, phone lines and high-speed
internet connection.

Avail Fabrication lab / Design Studio

23. Provide fabrication laboratory and/or a Design Studio, with required equipment relevant
to the scope of the incubator and needs of the incubatees, to facilitate prototyping of
innovative ideas and producing a MVP.

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3
Formed by ASRT upon receiving notice from the service provider, at least 2 weeks before the internal pitching

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 In cases where co-working space and prototype designing and manufacturing facilities
are required, the costs incurred will be submitted as reimbursable costs based on actual
payments made.

Avail Networking possibilities

24. Building close interactions between entrepreneurs and the mentors or investors they
meet at a program, so that the entrepreneurs can demonstrate how they respond to
feedback and report on their progress over time.
25. Organize at least one Best Practices and Networking workshop where alumni
entrepreneurs and start-ups from other incubators would share entrepreneurial best
practices as well as their experiences on how to make the most out of the incubation
program. Depending on the COVID19 situation, these workshops can be organized
physically or electronically. Number of workshops to be included in detail in the
proposal.
26. Organize external networking meetings/events for entrepreneurs and start-ups teams
which will aim to establish partnerships, and interact with potential customers.
27. Organize at least one Pitching Event dedicated to match-making entrepreneurs and
investors and potential customers (relevant to their stage), including on-stage pitches
and also 1 on 1 investor deep-dive meetings.

Avail good skills mix of coaches and mentors:

28. The consultancy incubation team should comprise well-matched coaches and mentors
(with entrepreneurial and sector-specific technical experience, and real-life experiences)
to advise entrepreneurs and start-ups teams on developing their business models,
business plans, challenges, and action plans with defined time-bound milestones to
monitor progress.
29. Provide coaching to entrepreneurs regarding business consultancy services, financial
management, marketing, general management, banking , legal …etc.
30. Core incubator team to have solid experience in designing, management and
implementation of similar programs, preferably in the same field (handicrafts).
31. Able to develop qualification criteria for entrepreneurs, start-ups teams who will benefit
from the proposed services.

Monitoring and Reporting tasks:

32. Set up a monitoring system to allow for the follow up with each team in the cohort of
incubatees, to measure the achievement of selected start-ups.
33. Produce monthly reports on the implementation of program activities and events,
number and gender of beneficiaries, progress of the incubatees, with photos, evidence,

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etc.

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 34. Hold one-on-one regular meetings with each start-up to be updated on the progress of
their work, keep informed on the efforts made, provide support and guidance and be
able to report on progress and achievements.
35. End-beneficiaries that receive grant financing will require closer monitoring. The
consultancy firm is expected to support ASRT team in monitoring the use of funds,
providing evidence of its utilization, sign Tripartite Agreement between service provider,
ASRT and registered start-ups with clear milestones to follow up their financial and
technical plans.
36. Coordinate with the TwT Field Officer and Coordinator to ensure that they are kept
aware of the progress of the incubation programs. The Field Officer will be expected to
participate in all of the external events organized by the consultancy firm.
37. For a period of up to 6 months, following the incubation program, the consultancy firm
is expected to follow up on the outcomes and achievement of the start-ups receiving
grant funding and report back to ASRT.
38. Prepare a reporting template including specific key performance indicators to
streamline monitoring on a timely manner. This format is to be submitted with the
technical proposal and inception report delivered within one week after contract signing
date.

Promotional Material:

 The consultancy firm is expected to produce promotional material for the incubation
program, such as pop-ups, printed material, brochures, achievement booklet with
photos for different phases of incubation and success stories. These should all include
the logos of the ASRT, the AfDB and the Trust Fund for Countries in Transition logos;
should be of a convenient HD size; and placed on the top of any promotion materials,
social media posts, and documents. It should also include the name of the program:
Tanmia wa Tatweer.
 A short 5 min documentary is to be produced under the incubation program, to show-
case the incubatees and their achievements.
 Other promotional matter such as T-Shirts, caps and other products can be provided to
create a sense of community amongst the incubatees.

Legal tasks:

 The start-ups formed are expected to be registered so as to avoid the expansion of the
informal sector. Towards that end, the consultancy firm is expected to support the start-
up in obtaining the necessary documents, authorization and permits for registration .

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Grant funding:

 Small amounts of grant funding will be availed to some of the incubatees, based on
needs as assessed by an expert panel during phase 7 of the program. The consultancy
firm is expected to conduct its own assessment of the start-up, its potential, the
commitment of the team, and the financial needs and financial gaps. A report for each
start-up by the consultancy firm is to be made available to ASRT before the pitching
session, and will be taken into consideration by the expert panel.
 Only registered start-ups are to receive funding. The consultancy firm is expected to
submit to the ASRT proof of registration of each start-up, as well as bank account details
of the start-up.
 Once funding is availed to the start-ups, the consultancy firm is expected to support the
ASRT in monitoring the use of the funds and ensuring it is used in the appropriate
manner.

Chart (1) Implementation of incubation program

Expert panel + Trainer assessment Grant funding availed

4. Non -Disclosure Agreements and Intellectual property rights (IPR):

One of the main objectives of Tanmia wa Tatweer Project is to encourage youth and women to
establish their own innovative-driven business. To protect their innovations, the following
clauses must be included in a Tripartite Agreement between ASRT, start-up and service
provider:

 ASRT, Incubation Consultancy Firm (service providers), and Mentors & Consultants shall
not share the ownership of any Intellectual property rights of entrepreneurs / startups,
including, without limitation, copyrights, patents, trade secret rights, and other
intellectual property rights associated with any ideas, concepts, techniques, inventions,
processes, works of authorship, Confidential Information or trade secrets developed or
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created by the start-up team , solely or jointly with others, during the course of
incubation

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  ASRT, Incubation Consultancy Firm (service providers), and Mentors & Consultants shall
not share or sign any equity agreement with incubated start-ups / entrepreneurs.
 Incubation Consultancy Firm (service providers), and Mentors & Consultants shall sign a
Non-Disclosure and Confidentiality Agreement to not use or share the information,
ideas, outcomes of the start-ups / entrepreneurs for their own work/research nor with
3rd party, unless they have written acceptance from start-up/entrepreneur
 The service provider is to draft the Tripartite Agreement template and include it in the
inception report.

5. Budget:

The budget of the program is Euro 125,000 including actual costs of co-working space and
prototype designing and manufacturing facilities, as may be required, considered as
reimbursable costs

6. Selection criteria of the consultancy firm include the following:

Selection of the short-listed consultants will be based on the below-mentioned criteria. Hence it
is critical that consultants provide concrete details of number of sub-events/activities to be
implemented and that the financing proposal include detailed itemized activities.

Score weight
GENERAL AND SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE OF FIRM 10%
• RELEVANT ASSIGNMENTS
• SIMILAR SIZE
• COMPLEXITY
• TECHNOLOGY
• ENVIRONMENT
METHODOLOGY AND APPROACH 35%
Pre-incubation:
• Selection methodology : 10%
• Type and frequency of training
Programs: 20%
• Expertise of technical team: 20%
Incubation:
• Selection methodology: 10%
• Type of frequency of training
programs: 20%
• Expertise of technical team: 20%

QUALIFICATIONS OF KEY STAFF 35%

- Past similar experience: 40%

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 - Structure, competency and skills of team:
40%
- Ability to collaborate with
experts/entities in program area for
technical and business): 20%

TRANSFER OF KNOWLEDGE, Networking 10%

capabilities, particularly with industry and financial
actors in selected sector, training
PARTICIPATION BY Nationals as key persons 10%

7. Deliverables and Reporting:

The reports must include qualitative and quantitative data, with photos and other evidence on
the implementation process. The reports must include a summarized matrix which captures the
main key indicators of the program, and provides names and contact numbers of program
beneficiaries, trainers, and other. This information is necessary as it will be used to monitor and
follow up on the project by the Bank and the assessors/auditors recruited for that purpose.

All reports are to be approved by the ASRT and the AfDB to be considered eligible for payment.

The service providers of the project shall submit documented financial and technical reports,
based on the contractual agreement awarded.
 The incubation/acceleration consultants that are awarded contracts for incubation and
acceleration programs will be required to submit evidence regarding the
implementation of the assignment, as per the below.
o Legal registration papers and bank account
o End-beneficiaries registered in each program (name, ID no, phone, email,
address, etc)
o List and contact details of coaches, mentors and consultants hired for the program
o Frequent progress report with photos (once per month, or every two month, etc)
o Assessment report of participants in the incubation/acceleration program
o Reports prepared by each end-beneficiary of grant funding on the usage of the
funds received, with the supporting documents including photos, invoices,
contracts, purchase orders, delivery receipts, etc, and Bank statements opened
to receive the funds.
o Comprehensive final report with results
o Monitoring report on start-ups assisted up to 6 months following the completion
of the assignment.

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More specifically, the following reports will be required:

Deliverable 1 (D1) : Inception report

An inception report shall be submitted to ASRT within 1 week after contract signature which
includes:
I. Detailed work methodology, action plan, and distribution of work to task-force members;
II. Time-frame for the implementation of activities and delivery of expected deliverables
for each activity.
Marketing plan
III. Evidence on availability of suitable co-working space and Design Studio/fab -lab under
the use of the service provider that fit targeted scope and area
IV. Monitoring methodology and reporting model /template.
V. Target key performance indicators (KPIs).
VI. A Tripartite Agreement Template as detailed in Section 6.
- The inception report should receive ASRT and AfDB approvals.
Deliverable 2 (D2): 1st progress report

This deliverable will cover the following activities: Call for Expressions of Interest; Awareness
Sessions; Call for Preliminary Ideas; Evaluation & Personal Interviews – as detailed in chart 1.
Accordingly, the deliverable will report on the following, and will include photos, samples of
material, etc.:
I. Kick off (launching) event
II. Number of info sessions
III. Announcement and dissemination of the above mentioned calls for expression of
interest and for preliminary ideas.
IV. Marketing and branding actions
V. Number of participants in Awareness workshop, training hours and sessions delivered,
key speakers, and workshop evaluation
VI. Numbers and detailed list of applicants including names , contact information,
affiliations, title of submitted ideas,
VII. Full applications with applicants’ CVs are to be attached to this report)
VIII. Detailed justified evaluation results of personal interviews

Deliverable 3 (D3): 2nd progress report (D3)

Submitted upon completion of pre-incubation phase and internal pitching detailing all pre-
incubation, including:

I. Names, contact details, photos, and one page on each start-up, highlighting the product,
the innovative aspect of the product, the team members, the start-up registration
number if available, etc..

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 II. Start-ups that participated in the program classified by age, gender, number of employees,
capital, sector and current markets.
III. Number of training and mentorship sessions, topics, no of hours, overall impact of
training on participants, trainers and mentors names.
IV. Training hours.
V. Training workshop in appropriate conference room.
VI. Reports on each participant performance.
VII. Pitching results with videos for the presentations of selected start-ups.

Deliverable 4 (D4): 3rd and final progress report

Submitted upon completion of incubation phase and graduation day results including:
I. Start-ups that participated in the program classified by phase of development (ideation,
angel, seed, early growth).
II. Details and Number of training and mentorship sessions.
III. Details and Numbers that secured their investment during the incubation.
IV. Details and Number of start-ups achieving initials sales.
V. Details and Number of start-ups achieving financial stability (profits and positive cash
flow).
VI. Details and Number of start-ups that Introduced a new product, service or process
VII. Details and Number of innovations.
VIII. Details and Number of patents.
IX. Percent of female beneficiaries (Actual vs. 50% target).
X. Percent of youth beneficiaries (Actual vs. 50% target).
XI. Number of created new job opportunities.
XII. Keynotes workshop.
XIII. Demo day (graduation day) in 5 stars hotel/ university conference room, or ASRT
conference room, or if available at project area.
XIV. Implementation challenges and recommendations for better performance of future
cohorts.

Post incubation follow up report

To be submitted 6 months after the incubation program to evaluate and monitor program impact
through progress of start-ups

8. Eligibility Criteria:

TWT is seeking for consultancy firm to provide incubation services in the field of Handicrafts in Oasis
and must meet the following criteria:

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 1- Demonstrated practical experience of at least 3 years in developing and managing
cohorts of entrepreneurs, start-ups and companies through business incubation and/or
acceleration programs.
2- Qualified management team members in similar projects.
3- Qualified Technical consultants, designers and mentors, preferably with previous
experience in the field of Handicrafts.
4- Strong marketing, communications and outreach using print, digital means,
conventional and social media.
5- Strong understanding of monitoring and evaluation methodologies and an ability to
conduct/assist in in data collection and analysis.
6- Registered as a company, NGO, foundation, public/private universities or research
centers in AfDB member countries
7- Partnerships with existing ecosystems stakeholders preferably in the area, for example:
NGOs, Innovation Hubs, Community Development Associations, cultural and artisan
centers and foundations, public/ private universities or research centers, etc.
8- Proven experience working with Handicrafts-related projects or industries.
9- Acquainted with Egyptian and regional entrepreneurial ecosystem and relevant laws and
regulations, and able to communicate with local communities and populations.

9. Qualifications of key persons:

The consultancy firm is expected to be well staffed and equipped for this assignment. In
addition to support staff, it is expected that the consultancy firm will have the following key
staff with the appropriate level of effort in person/days:
Key personnel
Incubation Program Manager (Level of Effort expected: 120 person-days)
- A Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, international development or a
relevant field from an accredited university. Master’s Degree in Business
Administration would be preferred.
- Experience of at least 3 years in a business incubator, a start-up advisory or relevant
entrepreneurial experience with proven experience as an incubator manager
- Excellent communication and writing skills in English and Arabic language
- Demonstrated ability to cultivate, build and maintain strong working relationships
with start-ups, entrepreneurs, mentors, universities, research institutions, industry
experts, associations, federations, chamber of commerce & industries, government,
and angel investors.
Incubator Program Coordinator (Level of Effort expected: 120 person-days):
- Incubator Program Coordinator organizes the delivery of entrepreneurship
programs, providing value-added services to start-up in Oasis. The Incubator
Program Coordinator supports and assists the Director in facilitating the operation

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 of the program by coordinating services and networking start-ups with investors,
follow up their progress, assessing their technical and business needs.
- A Bachelor’s degree in business, communication, or a related field is required.
- At least two years of experience owning a business, working for a business
development organization, or in marketing.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, excellent interpersonal and
organizational skills, knowledge of business management principles, and advanced
computer skills are required. The ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and
skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds is required.
Marketing and communication officer (Level of Effort: 100 person-day)
- Appropriate university degree in relevant field, from an accredited university.
- At least 5 years of practical experience in marketing and branding, preferably in
digital marketing, and social media
- Creativity, innovation, initiative, follow-through, communication, and priority-
setting.
Accountant (Level of Effort: 80 person/days)
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting with at least 3 years’ experience.
- Ability to prepare concise financial reports.
- Monitor internal control as per contract requirements and eligible costs.
- Maintain sound documentation and archiving of bills, pay-checks and tax records.
- Reports to TwT financial officer on monthly basis or as required.
- Assists TwT in monitoring eligible expenditures of Grant fund.
Consultants/ Mentors
A Business Development Expert (level of effort: 100 person-hours)
- Provides technical inputs with respect to targeted field of the incubator
(Handicrafts).
- An advanced degree from a recognized university in business administration or
other relevant fields.
- Previous mentoring or coaching experience, preferably for small and micro
enterprises and/or start-ups..
- Working experience in Egypt/North Africa within the last 10 years is an advantage;
- Very good command of English and Arabic is required.

Chief Designers/ Technical Mentors (level of effort: 280 person-hours)

- Proven experience delivering technical skills development, coaching and mentoring
in the field of Handicrafts.
- Experience in similar program settings will be an advantage.
- Creativity, problem-solving, and ability to motivate beneficiaries.

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 - Knowledge of local resources and how to maximize their usage to produce
handicrafts.
- Ability to introduce, simplify and present modern techniques that are adaptable to
the local environment.
- Designers to present their portfolio of work, with priority given to those who have
participated in national/ international exhibitions.
Marketing, Legal, Financial Mentors
- An Advanced degree from a recognized university in relevant fields, (PhD will have
an advantage)
- A minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience.
- Ability to cascade the mentorship knowledge to incubator.
- Mentors should have basic business knowledge in addition to expertise in one of
the following (Marketing, Sales, Legal, Finance, IT, etc.).
- Very good command of English and Arabic is required
- Able to empower and motivate youth with passion to empower female
entrepreneurs.
In general, the service provider must provide evidence that the incubator team management,
mentors and consultants have adequate experience to achieve the assigned services and tasks.

10. Terms of Payment:

- 10% upon complete submission and approval of inception report by ASRT and AfDB
- 30 % upon complete submission and approval of 1st progress report by ASRT and AfDB
- 40% upon complete submission and approval of 2nd progress report by ASRT and AfDB
- 20% upon complete submission and approval of 3rd and final progress report by ASRT
and AfDB

11. Contract duration

The duration of this contract is 6 months from contract signing date.

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Annex 1 : Selection criteria for end-beneficiaries of incubation programs

The TwT incubation consultant will be responsible for the mobilization, selection, registration,
assessment of the end-beneficiaries of the TwT incubation program. The final selection for end-
beneficiaries to participate in the pre-incubation program should be approved by the
participation of at least one member of the TwT evaluation committee. The selection criteria
should be part of the service provider’s technical proposal. However, as guiding principles, the
following are the main selection criteria for TwT incubation end-beneficiaries:

1. Youth between the ages of 18-40

2. 50% women
3. Prepared to have an innovation-driven idea, that is applicable, in the specific
sector of the incubation program. Priority is for ideas that solve existing societal
challenges
4. Priority will be given to those who are computer literate
5. Serious and committed to attending (only one absence allowed)
6. Willingness to work as part of a multi-skilled group/team (at least 3 members)
7. Passes the personal interview

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