IDEALAB- Call for Mentor: Clyntech Support Clinics

Park Innovation is a mission-driven organization committed to innovation, combining a community project, coworking space, tech hub, and business accelerator to foster community development. With over six years of active engagement, Park Innovation offers unique programs and resources to empower youth and women, with a strong focus on entrepreneurship and employability.

Our initiatives align with two core pillars:

1. Entrepreneurship: Empowering startups through tailored support, mentorship, and access to resources that drive sustainable growth.

2. Employability and Employment: Bridging the gap between education and employment by equipping youth with essential, market-relevant skills and practical experiences for success in the competitive workforce.

For the fourth consecutive batch, Park Innovation is implementing Idea Lab in South Mount Lebanon, a 10-week entrepreneurship support program. This initiative provides essential technical, financial, and business support to entrepreneurs in the Clyntech sector, helping them validate their solutions, build their first prototypes with a $1500 budget, and assemble strong teams to tackle challenges and scale their businesses.

We are seeking an experienced mentor to guide Clyntech startups through the Prototype Development Clinics, providing expert advice and hands-on support as they develop and refine their prototypes. The mentor will help startups translate their ideas into functional prototypes, focusing on design, testing, and iteration. Through practical, feedback-driven sessions, the mentor will assist startups in addressing technical challenges, validating assumptions, and aligning prototypes with market needs. The goal is to empower startups with the skills and insights needed to create technically sound prototypes that have the potential for scalability and impact in the Clyntech industry.

Scope of Services

The expert will lead a series of VIRTUAL (online) Clyntech Support Clinics, with one hour dedicated to each startup in the Clyntech sector. There will be 5-7 clinic sessions, followed by a follow-up meeting with each startup for additional support.

Key Areas to be Covered:

• Prototype design and development, focusing on design principles, material/lab equipment selection, and technical feasibility.

• Testing and iteration, analyzing results and refining designs based on feedback and performance.

• Identifying and addressing technical challenges in the prototype development process.

• Ensuring prototypes meet market needs and aligning them with industry demands and customer expectations.

• Evaluating sustainability, scalability, and long-term viability of the prototype.

• Tips on production processes, cost optimization, and collaborating with manufacturers for prototype scaling.

• Advice on incorporating feedback from stakeholders, users, and testing phases to improve the prototype.

Qualifications and Requirements

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

• Strong background in Clyntech, product development, or related industries, with practical experience in designing, developing, and scaling prototypes.

• Proven experience guiding startups or companies through the prototyping process, including design, testing, and iteration.

• Deep understanding of relevant technologies, materials, and manufacturing processes used in the Clyntech sector.

• Prior experience mentoring or advising early-stage startups, particularly in the Clyntech field.

• Strong ability to identify and address technical challenges, troubleshoot issues, and offer practical, actionable solutions.

• Knowledge of market trends and consumer demands within the Clyntech industry, with a focus on sustainable, scalable solutions.

• Degree or equivalent experience in engineering, renewable and clean energy, sustainability, or a related field.

• Willingness to work directly with startups on their prototypes, providing constructive feedback, practical support, and guidance.

• Comfortable working with diverse teams and providing mentorship in a collaborative, feedback-driven environment.

• Ability to evaluate prototype performance, analyze data, and help startups refine their designs based on testing and feedback.

Expected Deliverables

• Delivery of the 5-7 clinics, providing a clear and actionable roadmap for each startup, outlining key steps, milestones, and timelines for prototype development.

• Assistance with addressing technical challenges and providing practical solutions to overcome prototyping hurdles.

• Completion of a feedback form for each startup after the clinics, detailing observations on prototype designs, strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement, with actionable recommendations for iteration.

• Oral briefing about the startups after the sprint to highlight strengths and areas for improvement to the IdeaLab program manager.

• Adherence to the relevant procurement procedures (quotation, service agreement signature, invoice, receipt, MOF certificate and/or ID/Passport, programmatic deliverables).