Request for Quotations
Business Advisory Services for Entrepreneur Fellows in CMU-Africa’s Industry Innovation Lab

Quotation Submittal Due Date

March 07, 2025 (5:00 PM CAT)

Overview

Carnegie Mellon University Africa in Rwanda (“CMU-Africa”) is requesting quotations from qualified companies to provide business advisory services for startups supported by CMU-Africa’s business incubation program the Industry Innovation Lab (IIL). The IIL is a technology-focused hub at CMU-Africa, supporting startups that develop and commercialize technology-enabled products addressing well-defined market opportunities with potential for profitability, inclusivity, and scaling. The IIL runs a 12-month business incubation program designed to help CMU-Africa students and alumni founders succeed with their entrepreneurial ventures. Startups entering the program typically have proof-of-concept prototypes and preliminary market assessments. The goal is for these startups to leave the program with a revenue-generating product positioned to successfully compete for additional investment necessary for scaling.

Scope of Work

CMU-Africa requires business advisory services to assist twenty incubated startups in developing and scaling their ventures. Advisory services will be delivered through in-person and virtual one-on-one or group sessions, tailored to each startup's specific needs. The selected advisory firm will assist founders achieve the following program milestones:

• Validate customer needs, refine the product, enhance features, leading to the launch of scalable, revenue-generating products.
• Develop go-to-market strategies and refine value propositions for a specific market segment.
• Establish legal and tax compliance structures for specific African markets of operation and scale.
• Building flexible teams aligned with milestone objectives during and after the program.
• Prepare compelling investment readiness documents, and secure funding sufficient to run operations for at least one year after the program.

The advisory service will span 12 months, with a total of 5 hours of service per startup per month. The advisory services will be provided based on each startup’s needs and milestones. Advisors will focus on helping founders launch revenue-generating products positioned for scaling and investment.

Profiles of Experts Needed

Software Development Expert

• Experience: Minimum 10 years in software development, including front-end, back-end, and system architecture. Proven track record of leading the end-to-end development of at least three market-ready software products.
• Service expectations: Hands-on support to build or enhance product features, ensure scalability, and mentor startup technical teams. Assist in agile development practices and align MVPs with market needs.
• Sector-specific experience: Strong preference for expertise in fintech, agritech, and edtech within African markets.
• Qualifications: MS in Software Engineering or a related field preferred.
• For verification: Provide a CV and three recommendation letters from previous clients.

Hardware and Software Expert

• Experience: Minimum 10 years in embedded systems engineering, hardware-software integration, and mass manufacturing of combined solutions. Proven track record of leading the development of at least two successful products with scalable production capabilities.
• Service expectations: Support startups in embedding software into hardware systems and optimizing design for scalability. Provide guidance on prototype testing, mass manufacturing readiness, and regulatory compliance. Offer technical assistance in hardware-software integration, particularly in IoT and assistive technologies for African markets.
• Qualifications: MS in Software Engineering, Electrical/Computer Engineering, Systems Design, Product Engineering, or a related field.

Business Growth Advisor

• Experience: Minimum 10 years in business strategy, guiding at least four startups through early-stage growth, market validation, and scaling. Proven expertise in developing competitive strategies, increasing traction, and validating business models.
• Service expectations: Support startups in creating go-to-market strategies tailored to target markets. Provide mentorship on resource allocation, operational scaling, and client acquisition. Deliver insights and strategies for increasing customer value and achieving business growth milestones.
• Qualifications: MBA in Marketing, Finance, Operations, Business Leadership, or Strategy.

Compliance Advisor

• Experience: Minimum 5 years in compliance advisory, with a proven track record of supporting at least four startups in legal, tax, and regulatory compliance across African markets.
• Service expectations: Develop and implement compliance frameworks tailored to startup sectors (e.g., fintech, agritech). Assist with IP registration, team management structures, tax compliance, and risk mitigation strategies. Provide startups with guidance on navigating relationships with regulatory bodies and institutions.
• Qualifications: BA in Law, Accounting, or Finance; CPA certification preferred.

Investment Advisor

• Experience: Minimum 10 years in venture capital, fund management, or investment advisory. Proven track record of helping at least three startups close pre-series or series funding rounds and leading successful buyouts or exits in African markets.
• Service expectations: Guide startups in developing pitch decks, financial projections, and fundraising strategies.Offer strategic advice to position startups for investment from angel and VC networks. Facilitate introductions to local and international investors, leveraging extensive networks.
• Qualifications: Background as an entrepreneur with recent fundraising experience is desirable.

Timeline & Process

• Issuance Date February 3, 2025
• Response Deadline March 7, 2025 (5:00 PM CAT)
• Selection March 14, 2025
• Contract Implementation April 1, 2025

Any questions regarding this document must be issued via email to africa-finance@andrew.cmu.edu. All questions will be answered via email to all bid participants. Prospective vendors may not communicate with any university staff or related third parties regarding this document or process than the university contact. Doing so may result in immediate rejection of that company from the process.

Responses are due via email in PDF form by the deadline listed above.

University Contact

Chipiwa Zimbwa

Chief Operations Officer

Email: africa-finance@andrew.cmu.edu

Response

Prospective vendors must provide a response to the following bullet points. Repeat each bullet with your response below. The total response is not to exceed 20 pages in length.

General

• Provide a brief overview of your company, including its history, core values and strategy.
• Describe the advisory team that will be assigned to the university including experience in the industry and with your organization.
• Clearly describe the service offering you will support the startups.
• In the ‘Pricing and Services’ table below, clearly state the hours required to deliver the service, and the cost for the service.
• A business advisory plan for service with a clear schedule that will guide provision of the service over the duration of the program. The plan must include a schedule for both one- on-one advisory and group support. Keep in mind that each startup should receive no more than5 hours of advisory services per month.
• Indicate the activities that will be delivered in-person and those that will be delivered through virtual arrangements, if any.
• Include three current references and one past reference of clients similar to Carnegie Mellon University.

Pricing and Services

• Provide pricing for each of the services below separately:

Other Items

• Include a copy of your company’s audited financial statements.
• Include a copy of your RDB certificate.
• Include copies of CVs of all advisory team
• Have you done business with Carnegie Mellon in the past? If yes, please provide details.
• Describe any competitive advantages your company holds that should be considered outside of pricing.
• Carnegie Mellon is committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) practices and principles which we strongly believe creates opportunity and drives value for our workplaces and communities. We seek partners and vendors who share our passion for these principles. We request all bidders to detail their company’s policies, processes, and commitment to DEI practices.

Terms & Conditions

Vendors providing a quote agree to the following terms and conditions:

• The University reserves the right to reject any or all quotations received, to request clarification of any Quotation, to waive informalities or irregularities; and to award a contract not based solely on the lowest cost.
• All information contained in this document is considered confidential and cannot be shared without permission by the University.
• Pricing included in your quote must be valid for at least sixty days and may not be modified, withdrawn or canceled.
• The University will not pay for any information requested herein, nor is it liable for any costs incurred by the participant in responding to this request. All quotations submitted become the property of the University; they will not be returned.
• None of the information released either verbally or in writing shall be deemed binding to the University in any manner.
• All quotations or offers must be signed by a duly appointed officer or agent of your company.
• The University payments terms are Net 30.

Should your company’s quote be accepted by the university, the standard terms and conditions of university purchase orders apply. To review the standard university terms and conditions, please request from Chipiwa Zimbwa at africa-finance@andrew.cmu.edu.