IDEALAB- Call for Expert: Prototype Development Workshop

Park Innovation is a mission-driven organization focused on innovation, combining a community project, coworking space, tech hub, and business accelerator to promote community development. With over six years of active engagement, Park Innovation offers unique programs and resources to empower youth and women with an emphasis on entrepreneurship and employability programs. The initiatives at Park Innovation align with its two core pillars:

1- Entrepreneurship, focusing on fostering innovation and empowering startups through tailored support, mentorship, and access to resources that enable sustainable business growth.

2- Employability and Employment, aiming to bridge the gap between education and employment by equipping youth with essential, market-relevant skills and practical experiences to thrive in a competitive workforce.

For the fourth batch in a row, Park Innovation is implementing Idea Lab in South Mount Lebanon, a 10-week entrepreneurship support program being implemented across Lebanon with the aim of providing the proper technical, financial, and business support needed for entrepreneurs to validate their solutions and turn their ideas into businesses. It allows entrepreneurs with Cleantech and Agrifoodtech solutions to learn how to identify their problem, validate their solution in the market, use the 1500 USD to build their first prototype, and create a strong team that has the capacity to take on challenges and scale their startup.

We are seeking an experienced and skilled trainer to lead the Prototype Development Workshop, guiding startups through the process of building, testing, and refining their prototypes. The trainer will help startups translate their ideas into functional prototypes, offering guidance on design principles, material selection, technical feasibility, and the iterative process of testing and improving prototypes based on real-world feedback. The trainer will also cover methodologies for validating assumptions, troubleshooting technical challenges, and aligning prototypes with market needs. Additionally, startups will receive training on best practices for prototype scaling, collaboration with manufacturers, and ensuring that their prototypes are sustainable and scalable within their target markets.

Scope of Services

The selected expert will be responsible for the workshop from planning to execution, monitoring, and reporting. The duration of the in-person physical workshop is 5 hours including practical exercises, for 10 teams concurrently. 

Key areas to be covered:

• Conduct a practical Prototype Development Workshop, focusing on transforming ideas into functional prototypes and refining them based on feedback, with a specific emphasis on Agrifoodtech and Cleantech sectors. Guide startups through prototyping methodologies that include design principles, material selection, and technical feasibility, helping them test assumptions and ensure their prototypes meet industry standards.

• Support startups in creating clear prototype design specifications and outline a step-by-step development plan, ensuring that prototypes are aligned with market demands, sustainable practices, and customer needs. Provide hands-on support for troubleshooting technical challenges and optimizing designs based on iterative testing and user feedback.

• Facilitate the adoption of a Build-Measure-Learn mindset, guiding startups on how to apply Agile principles to refine their prototypes through continuous testing, feedback, and iteration. Emphasize the importance of aligning prototypes with market needs and customer expectations to ensure a strong problem-solution fit.

• Assist startups in identifying key performance metrics to evaluate their prototypes, ensuring data-driven decisions that reflect both the technical feasibility and potential market impact within the Agriculture and Clean Energy sectors.

• Encourage startups to develop a structured prototype roadmap, aligning with Lean and Agile principles for ongoing refinement, iteration, and scaling, helping them move from concept to a viable, market-ready prototype with measurable milestones and clear success criteria.

• Startups must complete one exercise during the workshop, and receive feedback from the trainer:

  • Prototype Roadmap- a clear and actionable plan for each startup, outlining the critical steps, milestones, and timelines for developing and refining their prototype. 

Qualifications and Requirements

This call welcomes applications from independent trainers/consultants or legal entities based in Lebanon.

• A Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Design, or a related field is required, with preference given to candidates holding a Masters or PhD.

• 5+ years of experience guiding startups through the prototyping process, including design, testing, iteration, and scaling.

• Strong knowledge of prototyping methodologies, material selection, and technical feasibility, with a focus on practical, real-world applications.

• Experience in troubleshooting technical challenges, refining product designs, and guiding startups through feedback-driven iteration.

• Expertise in validating prototype assumptions through hands-on testing and user feedback.

• Skilled in facilitating practical, feedback-driven workshops that focus on turning theory into tangible, workable prototypes.

• Background in AgriTech, CleanTech, or related sectors is a plus.

• Strong communication skills in English and Arabic, with an engaging and collaborative workshop facilitation style.

• Availability to conduct the workshop at Park Innovation, Semkanieh- El Chouf (tiny.cc/pi-location).

Expected Deliverables

• The selected expert is required to provide a comprehensive curriculum outline, detailing the various subtopics to be covered during the workshop, along with estimated durations for each segment. 
• Upon approval, the selected expert will be responsible for delivering the 5-hour workshop in accordance with the approved curriculum.
• The trainer must complete a feedback form for each startup, after the training, detailing their observations and assessments.
• The expert shall be ready for an oral briefing about the startups right after the sprint to highlight all strengths and areas of improvement to the IdeaLab program manager.
• Furthermore, the trainer is required to adhere to the relevant procurement procedures (quotation, signature of a service agreement, invoice, receipt, MOF certificate and/or ID/Passport, programmatic deliverables)