[RFP] Global Startup Acceleration Program 2023

May 17, 2023

GENERAL INFORMATION

1. Subject: Global Startup Acceleration Program

2. Term of contract: the contract start date to March 22nd, 2024

3. Closing date for Application: 15:00 (PDT) on May 31st, 2023

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

INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS

Qualification Requirement
1. Prospective candidate(s) engaged in the project must satisfy 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.
3. Prospective candidate(s) must meet the following minimum specification;
  1. Accelerator, Venture Capital or any other related organization
  2. Unicorn Alumni in past 5 years (preferable)
  3. Experience working with international startups
  4. Investment team or department
  5. Adaptability and flexibility to various markets
4. In addition, prospective candidate(s) will be evaluated by the following preferred specifications:
  1. Project implementation skill
  2. Wide, various, open mentor network which matches the selected courses:
    1. Global Scale Program
      1. Enterprise Business (B2B)
      2. Bio/Healthcare
      3. Web3 (Fintech/ Metaverse/ Marketplace and others)
      4. Cleantech
    2. Global Preparation
      1. Global Preparation Program
  3. Strong connection to Angels, VC and CVC, including list of contacts in each selected course/sector.
  4. Experience supporting companies in each selected course/sector.
  5. Ability to support alumni companies through follow-ups and checking in.
  6. Experience working with government agencies or any other economic organizations to build local ecosystem all over the world
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 program for which they are applying from the following:
1. Global Scale Course Enterprise Business (B2B)
2. Global Scale Course Bio/Healthcare
3. Global Scale Course Web3 (Fintech/ Metaverse/ Marketplace and others)
4. Global Scale Course Cleantech
5. Global Preparation Course General Cohort (sector agnostic)
  
  *Applicant can submit proposal for multiple or all programs. JETRO may choose separate contractors for each program or one contractor for multiple programs.
  
  In addition, the proposal document or presentation submitted by the applicant should include the following:
  1. Project Implementation (See Attachment 1)
    1. Project details about seminar and interactive coaching session
    2. Project details about mentor assignment process
    3. Project details about Demo Days
    4. Implementation Structure (arrangement of personnel in charge / each responsibilities)
    5. Operating Procedure, Method, Proposal on how to complete all the tasks of the project in an effective manner and enhance project outcome.
    6. Ability to conduct online *Description of online tools to be used.
    7. Frequent communication *Description of digital communication tools with startups and JETRO to be used.
      
      *Note: Startup program groups are based on preparedness, global mindset and market readiness.
  2. Experience and Capabilities of the Organization
    1. Experience with Similar Projects
    2. Networking and information gathering skills to enhance project outcome
    3. System to manage personal/confidential information
    4. Include 2 or 3 notable recent successful case studies of international alumni going global from their local market
  3. Project Implementation Skills of Assigned Personnel
    1. Mentor network list with mentor profiles
    2. Profiles of each project personnel
    3. Sector experience
    4. Strong connection to Venture Capital, Accelerators, Corporates, Universities
      * List of the Angles/VC/CVC connections or partners should be included (They should be invited to the pitch/demo day.)
Delivery of Application
All Application and proposal document (see below) shall be sent to the following address by 15:00 (PDT) on May 31st, 2023

Required to submit:
Application Form
Proposal document or PowerPoint presentation.

Attn: Mr. Will Ferguson, Mr. Ken Yoshida
E-mail: will_ferguson@jetro.go.jp, ken_yoshida@jetro.go.jp
Address: JETRO San Francisco 575 Market St #2400, San Francisco, CA 94105
Language of Application:
English or Japanese
Evaluation of Application:
1^st evaluation
Screening of Application documents by JETRO San Francisco
2^nd evaluation
Zoom Presentation
(Please include your scheduled availability at 4:00pm-7:00pm PDT on June 1st – 2nd. 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 1^stevaluation.)
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.
Contact:
Attn: Mr. Will Ferguson, Mr. Ken Yoshida
E-mail: will_ferguson@jetro.go.jp, ken_yoshida@jetro.go.jp
Address: JETRO San Francisco 575 Market St #2400, San Francisco, CA 94105
Tel: +1.415.392.1333
*Due to the COVID-19 situation, most of the employees are currently working from home. Please contact by e-mail with any questions.

APPLICATION ATTACHMENTS:

Attachment 1-1: Application Guideline - Enterprise Business (B2B)

Attachment 1-2: Application Guideline - Bio/Healthcare

Attachment 1-3: Application Guideline - Web3 (Fintech/ Metaverse/ Marketplace and others)

Attachment 1-4: Application Guideline - Cleantech

Attachment 1-5: Application Guideline - Global Preparation

Attachment 2: Application Form

Attachment 3: Project overview

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