Terms of Reference (TORs) for Synergy Bootcamp Faisalabad - Accelerate Prosperity Pakistan

Background

Accelerate Prosperity (AP) Pakistan is committed to supporting ideation and pre-revenue businesses that are addressing critical challenges in agriculture and related sectors such as climate-smart agriculture, biotechnology, precision agriculture and circular agriculture. Pakistan’s agricultural sector faces a range of challenges, including crop diseases, excessive pesticide use, water scarcity, soil degradation, and outdated technologies, all of which hinder productivity, sustainability, and growth. This bootcamp will provide early-stage businesses with the tools, knowledge, and networks to tackle these pressing issues through innovative solutions and cutting-edge technologies.

Objectives of the Bootcamp

The bootcamp is designed to equip businesses with the expertise and tools to address critical challenges in agriculture, such as crop diseases, excessive pesticide use, and water scarcity. Participants will receive business training related to precision agriculture and IoT-based solutions for water and soil management, enabling them to modernize farm operations and implement climate-resilient practices. The program will also focus on fostering innovation in biotechnology and genetic engineering, helping startups develop solutions to enhance pest control, improve soil health, and increase crop resilience. Additionally, the bootcamp will promote the adoption of sustainable and circular agricultural practices to reduce environmental degradation. 

Scope of Work

The consultant/firm will be responsible for:

* Industry Specific Content: Design knowledge-based content, focused on addressing the core problems of Pakistan’s agriculture sector—crop diseases, pesticide use, water management, and technology adoption.

* Bootcamp Delivery: Deliver a 2–3 days bootcamp in collaboration with the AP Team covering topics such as precision agriculture, modern pest control solutions, biotechnology, water management and sustainable farming.

* Practical Solutions: Guide participants through hands-on workshops that demonstrate how IoT, data analytics, and biotechnology can address issues like water scarcity, pest resistance, and soil degradation.

* Mentorship and Business Support: Offer targeted mentorship on implementing technology-driven solutions, refining business models, and preparing for scale-up.

* Networking and Partnerships: Facilitate connections with industry experts, investors, and technology providers to support the startups in scaling their innovations.

Deliverables:

The consultant/facilitator firm will deliver:

1. Outreach: Applications of at least 80-100 businesses for the businesses. 

2. Industry Specific content: Detailed content that addresses specific problems in the agriculture sector, integrating modern technologies and sustainability.

3. Training Materials: Practical, sector-specific resources, including presentations, case studies, and toolkits, with a focus on real-world applications.

4. Mentorship Program: A structured mentorship offering guidance on business model development, funding acquisition, and technological adoption.

5. Bootcamp Report: A comprehensive report summarizing the bootcamp outcomes, including participant performance, key challenges addressed, and recommendations for scaling their businesses.

Key Focus Areas

- Crop Disease Management: Focus on how startups can develop biotechnology solutions to reduce crop diseases and pests, and minimize the reliance on chemical pesticides that cause environmental and health risks.

- Sustainable Pesticide Use: Encourage startups to innovate in organic pesticides, integrated pest management (IPM), and precision agriculture techniques to reduce the overuse of harmful chemicals.

- Water and Soil Management: Train startups to leverage IoT and data-driven tools for efficient irrigation, water conservation, and soil health improvement. Emphasize precision agriculture solutions to mitigate water scarcity and soil degradation.

- Technology Adoption in Agriculture: Encourage the adoption of modern farming technologies, such as drones, IoT sensors, and AI-driven analytics, to improve yields, manage resources effectively, and ensure sustainability.

Target Audience

The bootcamp is designed for:

- Ideation and/or Pre-revenue businesses working in climate-smart agriculture, biotechnology, genetic engineering and precision agriculture

- Innovators who are developing solutions to tackle critical issues such as crop diseases, water management, pesticide use, and soil degradation in Pakistan.

Location:

The bootcamp will be held in a suitable venue in Faisalabad that can facilitate hands-on technology demonstrations, workshops, and group discussions. The venue should be accessible to all participants and equipped with necessary resources for practical learning sessions.

Required Qualifications:

- Extensive experience in agriculture technologies, biotechnology, water management, and precision agriculture.

- Proven track record of facilitating training programs for startups, particularly in pre-revenue stages.

- Strong knowledge of Pakistan's agricultural sector challenges and the ability to provide innovative, technology-driven solutions.

- Experience in providing mentorship to startups in agriculture, biotechnology, and related fields.

- Strong industry connections with agribusiness stakeholders, investors, and technology providers.

Budget and Payment Terms

The budget will cover consultancy fees, logistics, materials, and all other costs related to the bootcamp. Payments will be made in installments based on the completion of key deliverables such as curriculum design, bootcamp delivery, and final reporting.