Call for design thinking expert- ACT SMART INNOVATION HUB – Clyntech

Context & Background

Berytech is a leading organization in the Entrepreneurial Eco-system in Lebanon, that aims to provide a conducive environment for the creation and development of startups, through incubation, business support, counseling, funding, networking, and the company hosting, hence taking part in the economic revival of the country, participating in wealth and job creation, and retaining graduates and high-level skills in Lebanon.

The Accelerator Program's mission is to nurture and grow disruptive ideas, proof of concepts, and prototypes that share three common characteristics:

1. A disruptive scientific or technological focus in the Cleantech sector.
2. The possibility to scale beyond the local market
3. The potential to create sustainable job opportunities locally

Scope of work

The Accelerator Program seeks a Design Thinking expert to plan and facilitate a dynamic design thinking bootcamp for 12 early-stage startups, with a prototype or a minimum viable product (MVP) in the cleantech sectors. The primary focus of this engagement is to support startups in validating their riskiest assumptions, guiding them through the design thinking process to refine their business model, and preparing them with a solid understanding of their business for the acceleration phase.

1. Facilitating a 3-Day Bootcamp:
   • Lead a dynamic, hands-on 3-day bootcamp for 12 startups at the MVP &/or Prototype stage participating in the Accelerator Program.
   • Design and deliver interactive sessions aimed at helping startups learn to empathize with their users (gaining a solid understanding of their market, the problem they are solving and validating their solution fit)
   • Utilize design thinking methodologies and tools to guide startups in refining their business models, improving their product, and maintaining constant iteration for the improvement of their solution to validate their Product / market fit.
   • Foster an environment conducive to collaboration, creativity, and problem-solving among participants.
   • Provide hands-on support and guidance to startups throughout the bootcamp focusing on their unique value proposition, validation tools and methods and problem-solution fit.
2. Conducting a follow-up session:
   • Conduct a follow-up session with the startups after the completion of the bootcamp and based on deliverables requested during the bootcamp.
   • Review progress made by startups since the bootcamp and address any challenges or questions they may have.
   • Offer further guidance and support to ensure startups are well-prepared for the acceleration phase.
   • Provide an assessment of each startup to the program team highlighting challenges and offering recommendations.
3. Areas of focus:
   • Support startups in identifying and validating their riskiest assumptions related to their business models, target markets, and value propositions.
   • Guide startups through the design thinking process, emphasizing empathy, validation, and testing.
   • Help startups develop a clear understanding of their business objectives, target customers, and competitive landscape.
   • Prepare startups to focus on product improvement, go-to-market strategy, and marketing during the acceleration phase of the program.

Qualifications

• Certification as a Design Thinking/Design Sprint practitioner or coach, in addition to having industry knowledge.
• Proven experience in facilitating interactive workshops and bootcamps for startups or similar organizations.
• Rigorous business acumen across many of the following areas: Product Development, Product Management, Startups, Marketing (Product or Brand), Organizational Behavior, Operations, Finance, and Design
• Experience working with early-stage startups
• Excellent communication skills
• Strategic in thinking and analytical in execution