Chemonics lance un appel à candidatures ” Afric’up 2019″ عودة إلى الفرص

The USAID Tunisia Jobs, Opportunities & Business Success (JOBS) project, is circulating this call for applications from Tunisian startups with focus on fintech and connected sectors to inform them of an opportunity to take part in the Tech & Startup Africa Summit (Afric’Up) that will take place at Laico Hotel in Tunis on September 24-25. The theme of the summit “Smart cities, Open Innovation in Africa: What are the Opportunities for Startups” will focus on big data, agritech, fintech, and e-gov. More than 25 African countries and 300 African startups will attend. The event is organized by Smart Africa, an alliance of 54 heads of state in Africa, and by the African Union. Tech & Startup Africa Summit aims to reinforce the digital economy in Africa.

The Tunisian government embarked on a series of efforts to promote innovation and related technologies as well as expanding opportunities for startups. The Startup Act and the new Transversal Law adopted in 2019 has resolved the legal framework for “fund of funds” to invest in the development of startups. The Tunisian Government aims to create 5,000 new jobs in 5 years, with at least one startup as a success story in international market. The Ministry of ICT and Digital Economy is aiming through this conference to share results of the new Startup Act, recognizing approximately 100 Tunisian startups, and encouraging African countries to adopt such a regulation.

USAID Tunisia supports these efforts through economic and governance assistance programs to promote both economic participation and democratic consolidation. Tunisia JOBS is a five-year project supporting Tunisian economic actors to create sustainable employment for Tunisians throughout the country. The project will deliver targeted firm-level assistance to financial institutions (FIs) and businesses to support access to finance, accelerate growth, and create jobs.

JOBS is seeking startups with focus on fintech and connected sectors that believe that disruptive innovation is needed to extend outreach and improve efficiencies in financial services. Tunisia JOBS will competitively select 10 promising fintech startups and provide visibility and networking opportunities that will facilitate their access to financial deals and markets in Africa and other countries. This support will include JOBS’ procurement of 10 booths (one per selected fintech) to display the startup’s services and negotiate valuable partnerships. This support will not include payment for transportation, hotels, or any other costs associated with a start-up’s participation in this event.

Selection Process Overview

The selection process consists of two stages. The first stage involves a public call for application submissions from interested startups with focus on fintech and connected sectors. From these submissions, a small group of startups will be asked to submit responses to a detailed Request for Proposals (‘RFP’) in the second stage of the process. The RFP will cover detailed aspects of their expansionary plans. Responses at both stages will undergo intense review by a selection committee as detailed below:

• September 9, 2019: issue public call for application
• September 12, 2019: submissions due
• September 13, 2019: Pre-selection of a short-listed group of startups and notified to submit responses to questions from the evaluation committee
• September 17, 2019: responses to questions due from short-listed startups
• September 18, 2019: Evaluation of answers to questions and startups selected and notified

Application and Submission Requirements

All interested startups with focus on fintech and connected sectors must complete submit an application (4-5 pages limit) with the following information:

• Name of Institution
• Website URL (if available)
• Contact Information
• Head office Location
• Date of incorporation
• Memberships in Local Associations or International Association (please list) (if applicable)
• List of products/ services developed for the financial sector and/ or connected sectors
• Proposed programs to address financial challenges

Responses to this call for application are due no later than 5pm EST on September 13, 2019.