UNCDF is looking for an innovation hub that can deliver its first cohort of innovation challenge and accelerator model in Uganda. The first cohort will be specific to the agriculture sector.

UNCDF will provide a grant and sign a performance-based agreement with the selected hub to manage the entire project and deliver as per the scope of work detailed below.

All applicants should give full consideration to the Principals of Digital Development.

The selected innovation hub will be responsible to conduct the following activities, in close coordination with UNCDF.

1. Defining and launch the challenge
2. Put in place a bootcamp (ideation and prototyping)
3. Acceleration that will include:

• Mentoring: opportunity to work alongside industry / sector leaders so as to provide relevant solutions to current sector challenges;
• Access to infrastructure, collaboration tools and digital platforms;
• Knowledge sharing that includes access to know-how within global and local tech community members and start-up founders;
• Seed capital to fund early-stage piloting of the digital innovations.

1. Supporting the start-ups across the piloting

The result of this project will be the acceleration of new SMEs/start-ups that will bring in innovative services to Uganda and other UNCDF markets and they will give impetus to the digital economy, thus creating jobs and driving growth.

The overall duration of the engagement is expected to take up to 8 months.

Applications & RFA Calendar

• Publication date: 1 October 2018
• Deadline for questions in writing 7 October 2018
• Publication answers by UNCDF: 9 October 2018
• Final deadline for applications 15 October 2018 6pm GMT
• Launch of the project 23 of November 2018

You may send questions to mm4p@uncdf.org A FAQ document will be generated based on enquiries received on or before 7 October 2018. The FAQs will be posted on the UNCDF website no later Monday the 9 of October.

Applications should be sent to UNCDF by email at mm4p@uncdf.org no later than midnight 15 October 2018 6pm GMT. Applications should follow the submission format in Annex I.

Activities are expected to start at the 1^st week of December 2018. The expected date of full completion of project is 31 July 2019.

Questions & Answers