REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI)

(With innovative business concepts for the “Youth Energy Entrepreneurship Program”)

I. Background

The USAID-funded Bangladesh Advancing Development and Growth through Energy (BADGE) project aims to improve energy security and resilience in Bangladesh by improving access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy systems and promoting transparent and efficient energy markets. The activity advances private sector investment, promote policy and regulatory environments favorable to the sector and investors, support entrepreneurs developing and distributing energy technologies, and convene platforms to share best practices in energy sector management. Altogether, BADGE supports Bangladesh’s transformation to a developed, decarbonized, and inclusive energy sector. Intended outcomes from this activity align with the Asia Enhancing Development and Growth through Energy (Asia EDGE) objectives and USAID’s Energizing a Net-Zero Asia initiative.

II. Objective of the Request for Expression of Interest (EOI)

USAID/BADGE Project initiated the “Youth Energy Entrepreneurship Program” aims to empower the youth and women in the field of clean energy, energy efficiency, and other energy related sectors in Bangladesh. The program will foster empowerment and technical support for aspiring entrepreneurs, providing them with necessary resources to transform their ideas into real-world, impactful solutions in sustainable energy development. This is expected to help scale up clean energy solutions in Bangladesh.

Through the Youth Energy Entrepreneurship Program, BADGE will create an opportunity to establish a network of youth entrepreneurs in the energy sector and link them with potential funders/investors to support accelerate their business ideas. The program seeks to boost youth and women entrepreneur’s  technical knowledge, skills, and any other support they need to enhance and sustain their businesses in the energy sector.

The Energy Entrepreneurship Program aims to achieve the following:

1. Empower Youth Entrepreneurs: Equip the youth entrepreneurs with the entrepreneurial skills, knowledge and funds/investment needed to develop and accelerate energy-related businesses.
2. Foster Innovation: Support the development of energy solutions and businesses that address real-world challenges in the energy sector.
3. Create Networking Opportunities: Facilitate connections and professional networking among entrepreneurs, industry professionals, and potential investors, fostering a supportive business ecosystem for young entrepreneurs.
4. Promote Diversity: Encourage women and people from marginal groups to actively participate in the energy related business, thereby promoting gender diversity and inclusivity in this sector.

III. Eligibility and Evaluation

BADGE invites Youth entrepreneurs to express their interest by submitting innovative business concepts to support their own ideas, which can be developed as an investable/fundable business plan later.

Potential Entrepreneurs that can submit business concept.

1. Entrepreneurs need to have a small and/or startup business which can be accelerated with some technical and/or funding/investment support.
2. The concept can be developed and submitted by the youth and women entrepreneurs who are either in a sole proprietorship or in any other type of businesses.
3. All energy related businesses are eligible to submit concepts to participate in the “Youth Energy Entrepreneurship Program”. Renewable energy or energy efficiency related business ideas will be prioritized.

Submitted business concepts will be evaluated by the independent evaluation committee following the evaluation criteria. Entrepreneurs with promising business ideas that will be primarily selected will have the opportunity to receive guidance and mentorship in the form of technical assistance from BADGE to finalize their business plans. Following the guidance from BADGE, entrepreneurs will have two weeks to refine their business ideas before presenting to the Idea presentation event.

IV. Technical Approach and Innovation

1. Innovativeness of the business concept: 30 Points

• Innovative technological solutions to energy
• Technical approaches and feasibility
• Address barriers to adopting innovative technologies and new business models.

2 Sustainability of the proposed business: 25 Points

• Business Sustainability
• Contribution to and potential impact within the energy sector.
• Commitment to adhering to ethical and responsible business practices.

3. Empower youth and women through energy. 25 Points

• At least 35% of senior management or 65% of the employees should be youth (age of 18-35 years) or sole proprietors should be youth.
• Women and people from marginal groups within the youth age group, is highly encouraged. 

4.Organizing Capacity to implement and manage the business if considered for funding/investment: 20 Points

• Ability to organize resources, including skilled personnel, equipment, and materials, to efficiently carry out the business .
• Ability to handle any potential challenges or contingencies that may arise during the project implementation phase.

V. Business Concept Format

The business concept (excluding EOI forwarding letter, company profile and registration information as requested) shall not exceed 5 (five) pages, in Microsoft Word format in accordance with the following:

1. Font is Times New Roman; Font size is 11;
2. Paper size is A4 (8.27’’ X 11.69’’);
3. Margins are 1” on all 4 sides of the page.

VI. Submission Requirements:

The purpose of this EOI is to invite Youth and/or women entrepreneurs to submit innovative business concepts in the field of clean energy, energy efficiency, and other energy related business sectors as specified above in alignment with objectives of Bangladesh Advancing Development and Growth through Energy (BADGE) funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by Tetra Tech ES, Inc.

The interested entrepreneurs should submit an expression of interest (EOI), which include the following:

• Company Profile - Company’s information, including official registered title, type of business, address, and authorized contact person’s information  
• Company Registration - Electronic copies of the necessary licenses, permits, and certifications required for the implementation of the proposed business
• Business concept – As outlined above.

All EOIs are due on May 31, 2024 by no later than 11:59 PM local time in Bangladesh. EOIs must be submitted via e-mail at the address BADGEBIDS@tetratech.com in the following formats:  Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft Word format.

EOIs received after the above-stated due date and time will not be considered for evaluation.

VII. QUESTIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS

All questions or clarifications regarding this EOI must be in writing and submitted, in English, to BADGEBIDS@tetratech.com on May 4, 2024, no later than 11:59 PM local time in Bangladesh. Questions and requests for clarification, and the responses thereto, will be circulated to all EOI recipients via emails and www.bdjobs.com.

Only written answers from Tetra Tech will be considered official and carry weight in the concept evaluation and selection process. Any answers received outside the official channel, whether received verbally or in writing, from employees or representatives of Tetra Tech, or any other party, will not be considered official responses regarding this EOI.

VII. Business Concept/Idea Presentation Event

BADGE will organize an “Idea Presentation Event” where the primarily selected entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to showcase and present their refined business concepts to a panel of distinguished energy experts, potential investors, and venture professionals. The event will also provide entrepreneurs with the opportunity to establish a network among all participants. These connections will serve as a robust support system, offering insights, guidance, potential collaborations, and funding opportunities for accelerating their businesses.

• Selection of business concepts will focus on innovation, technical feasibility, sustainability and potential impact within the energy sector.
• All participants will receive a certificate in recognition of their valuable contributions to the program.
• Entrepreneurs with innovative business concepts that will be shortlisted, will be provided guidance and mentorship in the form of technical assistance by BADGE for the improvement and readiness for the idea presentation event and pitch in front of potential investors.
• Entrepreneurs with Top innovative business concepts that will be finally selected through the idea presentation event, those will be linked/connected with the potential funders/investors that would be interested in funding the respective selected business concepts.