Tenders

Terms of Reference (TOR) for the Provision of Services on Business Incubation and Acceleration Programs

Location: Uzbekistan
Duration: 2025-2026

Background

Accelerate Prosperity Kyrgyzstan (AP KG) and Virtual Accelerate (VA) are implementing the project “Central Asian Green Inclusive Growth Fund (GIG)”, comprised of two components, leveraging activities and initiatives from each of components:

Component 1: Central Asia Green Inclusive Growth Fund’s SME Investment Finance Facility (GIG-IFF)

The objective of Component 1 is to increase access of startups and small and growing businesses (SGBs) to diversified investment through an established GIG Investment Finance Facility and other investors via intermediate outputs of:

• GIG Investment Finance Facility established for Central Asia

• Increased pool of investment-ready startups/SGBs available for financing from the GIG Investment Finance Facility and other investors

Increased availability of data-driven documented learning and evidence about innovative investments in women-led and green startups/SGBs

Component 2: Central Asia Green Inclusive Growth Fund’s Business Development Services (GIG-BDS)

The overall objective of Component 2 is to foster green and inclusive entrepreneurship sector to support Central Asia in its transition toward a green and inclusive economy that tackles inequality, while supporting economic diversification covering all Central Asian countries, namely Tajikistan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan (Turkmenistan will be based on outcomes of initial feasibility study).

The specific objective of this Component is that entrepreneurs achieve improved competitiveness and success in starting, maintaining, and growing profitable, innovative, and green startups, small and growing businesses (SGBs). GIG-BDS will achieve this through:

• Innovative startups/SGBs supported through tailored training and advisory services in priority sectors

• Blended digital platform (Virtual Accelerate) upgraded and expanded

• Startups/SGBs supported to raise investments, promote market linkages and trade

• Increased availability of documented learning and evidence about women-led, people living with disabilities-led and green entrepreneurship and trade

The creation of new start-up enterprises, the growth of small businesses, and a focus on youth, women and people with disabilities-led ventures will be critical. GIG-BDS aims to contribute to positive trends in Gross National Income, Gender Development Index scores and contribute to relevant Sustainable Development goals.

AP Kg  and VA are actively looking for a partner who shall be responsible for the implementation of activities under Component 2 of the programm and leveraging efforts under Component 1.  This action is planned to be leveraged for possible funding from other donors and investors for Central Asia and may be added to the structure of the programm, also under management and oversight of the existing partnership and additional tasks on donor deliverables and project management. Restructuring will be explored as relevant to expanded responsibilities.

For the successful execution of the project in Uzbekistan, AP Kyrgyzstan is seeking for a business partner. The business partner will play a pivotal role in implementing and supporting business incubation and acceleration programs in Uzbekistan. The goal is to create a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem that links all key stakeholders, including startups, investors, government bodies, and mentors, ensuring the program’s success and long-term impact.

Objectives

The Partner is expected to provide following services:

1. Support regional AP team with program launch in Uzbekistan
2. Support with regional activities and initiatives
3. Support the implementation of 1 business tech-enabled and IT incubation program for 40 participants at least and tech-enabled and IT acceleration program for 25 participants at least;
4. Facilitate stakeholder engagement and support to build strategic partnerships;
5. Ensure program milestones and deliverables are achieved effectively.
6. Conducting Demo-Days of the incubation and acceleration programs
7. Financial and monitoring and evaluation reporting on completion of services

Indicators for the program success:

• Business Growth: Increasing the revenue of the businesses and startups.

• Market Expansion: Assist businesses in reaching a larger number of clients.

• Investments raised by the participants during or after graduation.

• Job Creation: Support businesses in creating new employment opportunities.

• Operational Efficiency: Improve the operational processes.

Scope of Work

The key responsibilities of the business partner will include:

1. Program Implementation Support:

• Support in the rollout of business incubation and acceleration programs tailored to the local context of Uzbekistan and all relates activities including outreach (information campaign/mobilization), selection and other relevant activities in close coordination with AP team.
• Ensure smooth execution of all program components, including training, mentorship, networking, and financing opportunities by the program approved by AP Team by sharing best practices, tools, and resources with program participants to enhance their business capabilities.
• Organize and facilitate workshops, seminars, and webinars with subject-matter experts.
• Monitor and evaluate the progress of incubated and accelerated businesses to ensure they are meeting growth targets.

2. Linkages and Partnerships:

• Develop strategic partnerships that can provide additional resources, knowledge, or funding for the incubation and acceleration programs.
• Facilitate access to local and international investors, industry experts, and potential business partners to support startups and entrepreneurs.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including government bodies, private sector investors, startups, mentors, and local business development organizations.

Qualifications and Experience

Operational Experience and Traction 40%: A) proven track record of a minimum of 3 years of experience in executing acceleration and incubation programs predominantly in IT and Green Sectors. B) program graduates’ success with at least 100 startups or businesses; C) investment raised: program graduates should have collectively raised at least $300,000 in investment (equity, debt, or other types of funding) through connections facilitated by the partner.

Credibility with State Institutions 15%:  A) government relationships with established working experience with relevant Uzbek government bodies, such as the Ministry of Economy and Finances, Ministry of Digital Technologies, or local entrepreneurship support agencies; B) access to government support with ability to secure government support for startups, such as access to grants, regulatory facilitation, or public-sector partnerships.

Strong Network of Mentors and Subject-Matter Experts 15%:  A) mentor pool with strong, established network of at least 20 mentors with relevant experience in entrepreneurship, business scaling, and investment; B) subject-matter expertise in green economy and IT sector, with at least 15 experts being able to deliver high-quality workshops; C) international experts: The partner should have the ability to bring in regional and international experts when it’s required by program design.

Access to Investment Networks 10%: A) investor relationships with established connections with local and international investors and should have the capacity to organize investor pitch days and facilitate introductions; B) proven investment facilitation with a track record of facilitating successful funding rounds for startups, demonstrated by a minimum of 10 deals closed.

Capacity to Deliver and Scale Programs 20%: A) organizational capacity with a dedicated team capable of managing acceleration and incubation programs, with at least 3 full-time staff focused on program; B) Infrastructure and Resources with a physical co-working spaces with necessary infrastructure to support the startups; C) program scalability with the ability to scale programs across Uzbekistan, beyond major cities like Tashkent, to include underserved regions such as Samarkand, Bukhara, Andijan, Ferghana and other entrepreneurial hubs.

Application Process

Interested partners are requested to submit the following:

• A detailed technical proposal outlining how they plan to implement the program, including a work plan, timeline, and key deliverables.
• A summary of relevant experience and qualifications of the key personnel.
• Two references from similar programs they have supported.
• Detailed information about the organization, its structure, history and other relevant information to make it suitable for the task based on the template #1.
• Detailed budget based on the template #2.

Reporting and Supervision

The partner will be expected to submit narrative, MERL and financial reporting to AP Kyrgyzstan and will work closely with the core program team of AP Kga nd VA to ensure alignment with the program’s strategic goals. Donor and Programm Management Unit will be expected for a monthly call and reporting regularly.

Duration and Location

This engagement will be for 1 year, with the possibility of extension based on performance. The partner will be based in Uzbekistan but may be required to travel locally and internationally as needed.

Budget and Payment

AP is open to discussing with the applicants the tasks that could be completed within the given budget. Payment will be made based on the following schedule:

1. Signing the agreement – 10% of the total budget
2. Tech-enabled/IT incubation program conducted at least 40 participants – 35% of the total budget
3. Tech-enabled/IT acceleration program conducted at least 25 participants – 35% of the total budget
4. Submitted report and approval – 20% of the total budget

Proposal submission

Email applications should be forwarded to the Accelerate Prosperity at nurzhan.tentieva@akdn.org and bubunur.alibaeva@akdn.org.

Monday, February 28th, 2025, before 5 PM Bishkek time.

For questions regarding the assignment please reach out to Bubunur Alibaeva at bubunur.alibaeva@akdn.org.