Request for Proposals For Business Incubation and Support Services for CMU-Africa’s Industry Innovation Lab

Proposal Submittal Due Date

September 30, 2024

(5:00 PM CAT)

Overview

Carnegie Mellon University Africa in Rwanda (“CMU-Africa”) is requesting proposals from qualified startup hubs in Rwanda to provide business incubation services to 20 tech startups supported by CMU-Africa’s Industry Innovation Lab(IIL). The IIL is CMU-Africa’s technology-focused hub that fosters pathways to opportunities for young people in Africa through supporting early-stage startups that are developing and commercializing tech-enabled products that address well-defined market opportunities with the potential for profitability, inclusivity and scaling. Startups admitted into the IIL program have a proof-of-concept prototype for their product and a preliminary market assessment. The goal is for these startups to exit the program after 12 months with a revenue-generating product poised to compete for additional investment necessary for scaling.

Scope of Work

The required services aim to enhance the program's impact by promoting the participation of recent graduates and students from Higher Learning Institutions (HLIs), thereby creating economic opportunities for young people within the continent's tech ecosystem. The requested proposal is for a 36-month period with the possibility of extension. The business incubation program proposal shall consist of but not limited to:

• A recruitment, selection, and onboarding plan for at least 25 tech founders, with representation from five or more African countries.
• A tailored business advisory, training, and mentorship plan supported by clear program milestones in the areas of product development, growth, compliance, talent management, investment, and post-investment support.
• A team of experts, each with at least 5 years of experience in the proposed focus areas highlighting how their skills will support the business ventures.
• A description of the physical and virtual workspaces, along with the necessary resources available to support day-to-day operations of the program.
• An annual support plan designed to enable the participating founders to hire, manage, and mentor a total of at least 50 tech interns from CMU-Africa for a period of three(3) months.

Timeline & Process

This request for proposals is expected to be completed based on the following timeline:

Any questions regarding this document must be issued via email to africa-finance@andrew.cmu.edu. All questions will be answered via email to all bid participants. Prospective vendors may not communicate with any university staff or related third parties regarding this document or process than the university contact. Doing so may result in immediate rejection of that company from the process.

Responses are due via email in PDF form by the deadline listed above.

University Contact

Chipiwa Zimbwa

Chief Operations Officer

Email: africa-finance@andrew.cmu.edu

Response

The expected proposal should include a response to the following bullet points. Repeat each bullet point as a heading in your response.

The total response should not exceed 12 pages.

General

• Provide a brief overview of your company, including its history, core values and strategy.
• Clear program goals and milestones.
• A recruitment, selection, and onboarding plan for at least 25 tech founders, with representation from five or more African countries (Ensure a reasonable female representation is achieved by the end of the program).
• A business advisory model, training and mentorship plan supported by a schedule and clear program milestones in the areas of: product, growth, compliance, talent management, investment and post-investment support.
• The program team in the proposed focus areas will be assigned to program each with a minimum experience of 5 years in their specific roles.
• A program management plan, coordination plan with clear ways of work to oversee the program.
• Support plan to enable each incubated business to hire and manage at least two CMU-Africa tech interns for a period of 3 months.
• A description of the physical and virtual workspaces, along with the necessary resources available to support day-to-day operations of the program.
• Indicate the activities that will be delivered in-person and those that will be delivered through virtual arrangements, if any.
• A team of experts, each with at least 5 years of experience in the proposed focus areas highlighting how their skills will support the business ventures.
• Include three current references and one past reference of clients similar to Carnegie Mellon University or a Higher Education Institution.

Financial Budget

• Provide an annual detailed financial budget for the 36-months period.

Other Items

• Include a copy of your company’s audited financial statements.
• Include a copy of your RDB certificate.
• Include copies of CVs of all advisory team
• Have you done business with Carnegie Mellon in the past? If yes, please provide details.
• Describe any competitive advantages your company holds that should be considered outside of pricing.
• Carnegie Mellon is committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) practices and principles which we strongly believe creates opportunity and drives value for our workplaces and communities. We seek partners and vendors who share our passion for these principles. We request all bidders to detail their company’s policies, processes, and commitment to DEI practices.

Terms & Conditions

By submitting a proposal, you agree to the following terms and conditions:

• The University reserves the right to reject any or all proposals received, to request clarification of any proposal, to waive informalities or irregularities; and to award a contract not based solely on the lowest cost.
• All information contained in this document is considered confidential and cannot be shared without permission by the University.
• The University will not pay for any information requested herein, nor is it liable for any costs incurred by the participant in responding to this request. All proposals submitted become the property of the University; they will not be returned.
• None of the information released either verbally or in writing shall be deemed binding to the University in any manner.
• All proposals or offers must be signed by a duly appointed officer or agent of your company.

Should your company’s proposal be accepted by the university, the standard terms and conditions of university purchase orders apply. To review the standard university terms and conditions, please request from Chipiwa Zimbwa at africa-finance@andrew.cmu.edu.