Call for a German hosting organization/cluster to support and host a Tunisian cluster

About Berytech:

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 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.

About Euromed Clusters Forward:

ECF is a 4-year project that aims at establishing and improving clusters legal policies, strengthening clusters capacity & regional cooperation, and strengthening regional value chains. Berytech is the implementing partner of ECF in Lebanon, that is funded by the European Union and coordinated by Anima Investment Network with 3 implementing partners and 9 affiliates from the Euromed region.

About Cluster Connect Mission (CCM):

Cluster Connect is a short-term exchange activity between clusters and support organizations from similar or different industrial ecosystems. It involves twinning, matchmaking and knowledge sharing activities, and peer learning between a South Mediterranean cluster – the Visitor and a host organization from South Mediterranean and European countries – the Host.

We are seeking well established EU clusters/ support organizations to design and deliver the service offer of the cluster’s incubator and accelerator, and support in the formulation of joint projects with startups by establishing strategic partnerships and developing innovation among the cluster members.

Support will be given to the Cluster director, Manager of development and innovation projects, and Communication manager from the Tunisian Cluster in the mechatronics sector for 3 months virtually and in Germany.

Cluster background information:

This cluster (Visitor) was established in 2012 and consists of 70 SMEs. The mission of the cluster is to promote the economic, commercial, technological, and social development of its members through support, investment and / or industrial cooperation actions in the field of mechatronics, develop, mobilize, fund, and drive a collaborative ecosystem with compagnies acting in various mechatronics professions in Tunisia to scale up their value added and improve their innovation and business development capabilities.

The CCM will equip the cluster with the skills and capacity to:

• Develop an innovation curriculum allowing members to meet their challenges and improve their innovation capabilities.
• Develop the services offered for the incubator through collaborations among companies or acceleration of startups carrying industry innovations.
• Develop regional collaboration with peer clusters through the mapping of stakeholders in the mechatronics field.

The Host will be responsible for conducting a comprehensive series of workshops, training, and consultancy services.

Based on a needs assessment conducted with the Visitor, the TOR is divided into 2 main components:

Component 1 - Incubator/Accelerator Support

• Assess the current services offered by the incubator and identify the gaps and recommend areas for improvement and innovation.
• Develop a structure and service offering for cluster incubation and acceleration programs to strengthen the value proposition of businesses and the industry.
• Develop an innovation curriculum allowing members to meet existing challenges and improve their innovation capabilities.

Component 2 – Recommendation for collaboration and synergies for cluster members:

• Conduct a supply chain mapping of the stakeholders within the mechatronics sector in Tunisia to attract new members and create synergies between them.
• Identify potential opportunities for collaboration that may include joint research and development projects, shared marketing initiatives, or collaborative supply chain efforts.
• Suggest a plan to create synergies and joint projects between startups and SMEs by establishing strategic partnerships within the fields of medical equipment, smart mobility, smart cities, and smart industries.

Component 3 – Travel mission:

• Organize and implement the travel mission of up to 3 cluster staff/members to country for a maximum of 5 days.
• Facilitate meetings with clients, suppliers and innovation players in the field of mechatronics in the aim of creating synergies and transferring knowledge among peers.

• Support materials: templates, presentation, and resources for participants to use during and after the workshops.
• Agenda: 3 months work plan and timeline.
• Travel mission: booking and invoices of flight tickets, accommodation, and other costs of all travelling participants.
• Strategy: developed for the synergies
• Final report: Final outcome of the CCM submitted to Berytech.
• Mapping Report: Identifying key professions within the mechatronics sector in Tunisia and potential areas for collaboration and synergy.

• The CCM will be implemented from the beginning of April until the end of June 2024.
• The travel mission of up to 3 cluster staff/members to the Germany shall occur within the mission timeline.
• The final report should be delivered by July 15^th the latest.

• German Cluster/Business support organization in mechatronics sector.
• Proficiency in market analysis, including identifying opportunities, challenges, and trends in Medical Equipment, Smart Mobility, Smart Cities, and Smart Industry markets.
• Track record in supporting entrepreneurial activities, startups, and developing innovation ecosystems.
• Experience and understanding of the mechatronics sector, innovation ecosystems, and relevant industries, especially those targeted (Medical Equipment, Smart Mobility, Smart Cities, and Smart Industry).
• Track record in fostering partnerships and initiating/implementing joint projects with other clusters/SMEs.
• Experience in mapping professions within industries, understanding the needs and dynamics of the mechatronics sector, and identifying collaboration opportunities.
• Experience in diversifying the service portfolio and attracting and retaining members.
• Background in curriculum design for innovation and entrepreneurship programs, with a focus on addressing real-world challenges within industries.