[RFP] Global Acceleration Hub Project (San Francisco) 2025

Feb 14, 2025

GENERAL INFORMATION

1.     Subject: JETRO Global Acceleration Hub Project

2.     Term of Contract: The contract start date (around 4/1/2025) to March 31st, 2026

3.     Closing Date for Application: 5:00 pm (PT) on February 28th, 2025

4.     Contents of Contract: As indicated in Application Guidelines (Attachment 1)

 

INSTRUCTION TO APPLICANTS

  1. Qualification requirements
    1. Prospective candidate(s) engaged in the project must satisfy the conditions stated in the Application Guidelines. (Attachment 1)
    2. NOT under the circumstances of being denied participation due to unethical and/or unlawful activities by either JETRO or Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) from previous procurement offerings.

  2. Preparation of Application
    No oral, telephone, or facsimile will be accepted. All costs of preparation shall be borne by the Applicants. Applicants must select the sector(s) for which they are applying from the following:
    - Category 1: Internet/IT, Software, Computer Hardware, Mobile & Telecom including AI, Others (please specify sectors).
    - Category 2: Bio tech & Healthcare including Digital Health.

    In addition, the proposal document or presentation submitted by the applicant should include the following
    1. Project Implementation
      1. Implementation Structure (Arrangement of personnel in charge / each responsibility
      2. Operating Procedure, Method, Proposal on how to complete all the tasks of the project in an effective manner and enhance project outcome
      3. List of co-working spaces which can be leased by the applicant (Should be located in San Francisco as well as Silicon Valley)
        - Dedicated Desk (not Private Room or Hot Desk_
        - Cost per month should be from around US$550 - US$750.
      4. Proposals for events for GAH Startup clients such as webinars, Group mentoring, Speed Dating, Pitch Training, Pitch Sessions Open Innovation Matching etc.
        - Budget for each event is $3000.
      5. System or platform for tracking mentoring hours and business appointments.
        - System may be internal, an outside App, SaaS, or other type of communication suggested.
        - Example: E-mentor, Mighty Network, Slack, Accelerator App. etc.

    2. Experience and Capabilities of the Organization
      1. Experience with Similar Projects
      2. System to Manage Personal/Confidential Information
      3. Networking and information gathering skills to enhance project outcome

    3. Project Implementation Skills of Assigned Personnel
      1. Mentor network list
      2. Profiles of each project personnel
      3. Sector Expertise

        Upon submission, the applicant agrees to having received, viewed, and accepted the prices outlined in the Cost Guide (see Attachment 3 & 4)

  3. Delivery of Application
    All Application forms (see below) shall be sent to the following address by 5:00 pm (PT) on February 28th, 2025

    Required to submit:
    Proposal document or PowerPoint presentation

    Attn: Mr. Will Ferguson, Mr. Ken Yoshida, Ms. Saeko Tanaka
    E-mail: will_ferguson@jetro.go.jp, ken_yoshida@jetro.go.jp, startup@jetro.go.jp
  4. Language of Application
    English

  5. Budget
    The maximum budget will be indicated in cost guide attachments. The maximum budget is subject to change based on the number of selected contractors.

  6. Evaluation of Application
    1st evaluation
    Screening of Application documents by JETRO San Francisco

    2nd evaluation
    Zoom Presentation (Please include your scheduled availability at 4:00pm-7:00pm PT on March 5. The call will include staff from JETRO San Francisco as well as JETRO Tokyo organizers. The detailed schedule for the presentation will be notified to the companies who pass the 1st evaluation)
  7. Announcement of Tender
    Tender will be announced to bidders by email. Given the nature of the bidding process, JETRO will refrain from providing feedback on the results. According to the evaluation process and nature of the program, JETRO may select multiple contractors for each category.

  8. Contact
    Attn: Mr. Will Ferguson, Mr. Ken Yoshida, Ms. Saeko Tanaka
    E-mail: will_ferguson@jetro.go.jp, ken_yoshida@jetro.go.jp, startup@jetro.go.jp


APPLICATION ATTACHMENTS

Attachment 1: Application Guidelines ＜PDF＞ (208KB) 

Attachment 2: Application Form ＜Word＞ (35KB) 

Attachment 3: Cost Guide for Global Acceleration Hub Project - Internet / Software / Other ＜Excel＞ (26KB) 

Attachment 4: Cost Guide for Global Acceleration Hub Project - Bio / Healthcare ＜Excel＞ (23KB)