TOR

Business Coaching & Advisory Consultancy
(Two Positions)

ACCELERATE PROSPERITY

Accelerate Prosperity (AP) is a part of new global initiative of the AKDN in Central and South Asia, which follows guidance from the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) Board to develop more formal structures to catalyse enterprises within AKDN’s main area development programs, where economic opportunities remain insufficient. Through patient capital and tailored business advisory to startups and businesses, AP complements broader employment-related programs of AKF and draws significantly on technical expertise from the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development’s (AKFED) Industrial Promotion Services (IPS), and coordinates efforts with the AKDN’s financial institutions, the University of Central Asia and many other national partners.

AP’s approach combines financial and non-financial support, recognizing that standalone business development services and traditional bank financing are inadequate to catalyze start-ups, grow small firms, and deliver job creation in fragile and emerging markets, particularly for marginalized groups in rural areas. The overall theory of change is that with improved business models, investment readiness along with tailored financing bundled with commercial and B2B linkages driven by the private sector, the supported businesses will be equipped to unlock private sector investments, sales, and growth, leading to increased incomes and job creation.

PURPOSE OF CONSULTANCY

As an integral component of Accelerate Prosperity’s (AP) incubation services dedicated to startups and Small and Growing Businesses (SGBs), the primary objective is to empower these enterprises in refining their business models. The consultancy aims to facilitate the creation of actionable plans that transform innovative business ideas into tangible realities by comprehensively understanding various business elements.

The purpose of the service is to

  • Provide customized business advisory and mentoring services tailored to the unique needs of selected startups and SGBs.
  • Assist these entities in enhancing their business models, refining market sizing strategies, improving market strategies, and optimizing pitch decks.

 

KEY LEARNING OUTCOMES

One- On-One Advisory Services for Up To 6 Businesses

The selected business will be expected to gain improved knowledge/ understanding about business launch, operations, and growth strategies.

  1. Improved Business Models
  • Mentors will critically analyze their existing business model to identify strengths and weaknesses.
  • Entrepreneurs will refine their value proposition, revenue streams, cost structure, and key partnerships for improved business viability.
  • Formulate actionable steps to kickstart the business in real-world scenarios and achieve scale.
  1. Market Research
  • Entrepreneurs will be equipped to gather relevant data on market trends, customer preferences, and competition to inform strategic decisions.
  • Entrepreneurs will be better able to perform market sizing and identify opportunities to expand their Total Addressable Market (TAM), SAM and SOM.
  1. Improved Pitch Deck
  • Entrepreneurs will collaborate with the coach to enhance their existing pitch decks for impactful presentations to Accelerate Prosperity and other ecosystem stakeholders.
  • Through iterative refinement, they will create clear, compelling pitch narratives, emphasizing problem-solving, market opportunity, and growth potential.

 

METHODOLOGY

The service provider must work with the businesses to improve their business models and pitch decks. The following steps would be considered for each assignment:

  1. A list of businesses (including startups and SGBs) with relevant details will be shared by AP with the service provider.
  2. The service provider will conduct an initial evaluation from the documents provided by AP or conduct an initial assessment session with the businesses to track their stage.
  3. The advisor/ expert would complete the assignment and submit their deliverable on the given submission dates.

 

TARGET AUDIENCE

  • Startups: new, disruptive solutions which have a scalable business model i.e. incorporates technology or innovative systems to grow exponentially with limited resources
  • Existing Small and Growing Businesses: commercially viable businesses with 5-250 employees that have significant potential, and ambition for growth

 

NATURE OF CONSULTANCY

  • Retainership contract with payments-based number of businesses offered services.

Deliverables:

  1. Advisory Sessions Documentation:
    • A detailed record of advisory sessions for each recommended business, including key discussion points, action items, and decisions.
    • Deliverables: BMC and Pitch decks for each recommended business, highlighting their unique value propositions, growth potential, and financial projections.
  2. First Sale Strategy of Ideation-Stage Businesses:
    • Strategy documents outlining step-by-step approaches for idea stage startups to make their first sale.
    • Recommendations for product development, target audience identification, pricing, and initial marketing efforts.
    • Deliverables: First sale strategy documents for idea stage startup. The startup should be able to present the first sale strategy, or the first sale done to AP by the end of the service delivered.
  3. SGBs Sales Improvement Strategies:
    • Comprehensive sales improvement strategies for each SGB, addressing specific pain points and growth barriers.
    • Recommendations for sales process optimization, lead generation, customer relationship management, and market expansion.
    • Deliverables: Sales improvement strategy documents for each SGB and entrepreneur should be able to present the improved strategy to the AP by the end of the service delivered.

PROPOSED TIMEPERIOD

  • Between February 1, 2024, to February 28, 2024 (1 month)

MODE OF SERVICE DELIVERY

  • Hybrid (online and/or in-person depending on location of the business)

PAYMENT SCHEDULE

Payment will be made for Business Technical Support.

50% payment will be made upon contract signing.

50% payment after the deliverables are submitted.

KEY CAPACITIES REQUIRED

A firm/Individual with the following capacities:

  • In-depth training and advisory expertise and experience with startups and small and growing businesses
  • Strong network linkages with experienced entrepreneurs, mentors or corporate practitioners with vast experience in developing business growth and sustainability strategies.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Please submit the following to apply:

  • Detailed company profile/ CV of the individual
  • Cover letter mentioning the interest and relevant experience and methodology and financial bid against the stated deliverables with detailed cost breakdown by each item (inclusive of all applicable taxes as per law)

DEADLINE

January 31, 2024 

MODE OF SUBMITTING APPLICATIONS:

Please send your Expression of Interest to procurement_appk@akdn.org before the deadline.

For any queries, please reach out at: start@accelerateprosperity.org