Consultant for Market Assessment, Climate Technopreneurship Program

Based in Seoul, The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) is an intergovernmental organization founded to support and promote a model of economic growth known as "green growth", which targets key aspects of economic performance such a poverty reduction, job creation, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability. GGGI works with countries around the world, building their capacity and working collaboratively on green growth policies that can impact the lives of millions. The organization partners with countries, multilateral institutions, government bodies, and private sector to help build economies that grow strongly and are more efficient and sustainable in the use of natural resources, less carbon intensive, and more resilient to climate change.  

Vietnam is one of the countries most affected by climate change but faces a lack of resources and capacities to contribute effectively to climate change mitigation and adaptation building. In addition, financing barriers are holding back climate tech entrepreneurs in Vietnam. 

GGGI, in collaboration with the Green Climate Fund (GCF), Korea Development Bank (KDB), and the government of Vietnam seeks to accelerate the deployment of climate technologies at scale through the Climate Technopreneurship Project. This will be achieved through (i) incubator/accelerator services for start-ups, (ii) an investment fund, and (iii) other technical assistance tailored to the needs of Vietnam. The ultimate goal of the Climate Technopreneurship Project is to match up selected local startups with global tech firms for technology transfer and provide funding to newly established Joint Ventures or partnership entities for climate technology deployment. So, the purpose of this preparatory work by consultant would be to assess the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem for Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Technology in Vietnam. 

Objective of the Consultancy 

The Consultant will support the preparatory phase of the Program by conducting an ecosystem analysis for climate change adaptation and mitigation technologies in Vietnam. When drafting the Report, the Consultant should:  

1. Analyse the entrepreneurial ecosystem, including accelerator and incubator ecosystem in Vietnam, focusing especially on climate change adaptation and mitigation technologies. 
2. Identify a list of sectors to be analysed. 
3. For each sector, prepare an assessment of the entrepreneurial ecosystem, and 
4. Recommended interventions to address priority gaps and barriers (i) strengthening local incubation & accelerator system; (ii) promoting the climate-tech startup theme  

Scope of Work

The individual (the “Consultant”) is expected to develop a report to assess the potential and technical barriers of climate-tech startup markets throughout the following activities: 

Overview of Vietnam’s Entrepreneurial Ecosystem  

1. Current Status and Trends 

• Analyse current landscape and market size and characteristics of Vietnam’s entrepreneurial ecosystem 
• Review VC investment trend and portfolio analysis (over past 3-5 years) 

2. Overall Ecosystem Mapping 

2.1 Legal and Regulatory Basis 

• Legislative mandate or regulatory foundation currently in place 
• Ministries in authority 
• Some analysis about policies for high tech and climate-tech firms (if applicable) 

2.2 Key Players and Roles 

• Mapping key entities (e.g. government agencies, incubators, accelerators, private players, venture capital) that have an influence on the ecosystem while capturing their roles 
• To explore the existing power relations in the ecosystem: which groups dominate decision making? and/or who can influence access of specific groups to the market? 

2.3 Existing Initiatives, Platforms, and Programmes, with climate-tech focus 

• Government-led and market-driven programmes 
• Highlight on climate-tech program 
• List out a stakeholder mapping for climate-tech 

3. Gap Analysis and Recommendations for Intervention 

Assess the local entrepreneurship infrastructure and resources: 

• Enabling environment (comprising of infrastructure, policy, markets, human capital, R&D and culture) 
• Finance (credit and risk capital) 
• Capacity development (incubators/accelerators for climate entrepreneurs, educating and training climate entrepreneurs, network development for climate entrepreneurs, women’s economic empowerment, etc.). 
• Business support system 

4. Market Assessment for climate-change sectors:  

• Identify Sectors with a growing number of start-ups whose goods and services contribute to climate change adaptation or mitigation, and 
• Identify Sectors without such start-ups but would contribute significantly to climate change adaptation or mitigation if adequate support were provided to foster their growth 

For each priority sectors identified, discussing: 

• Market size, industry drivers, business model, and deal count and value (recent 3-5 years), 
• Mapping of start-ups (those that have successfully raised capital), specialized or relevant incubators/accelerators, investors, and related government agencies to the selected sectors,  
• Case studies of 2-3 start-ups that have raised capital, and
•  Gaps/barriers, opportunities, and outlook for each sector. 

5. Proposed programme for next steps: 

• Design a country-driven incubation program for green entrepreneurs, including selection process, final foreseeable outputs, etc 
• Design a plan for technical assistance activities (e.g. how to identify and support innovation models of climate technology incubation and acceleration; how to build the capacity of local incubators and accelerators for climate technology businesses; coordinate climate responsive entrepreneurship ecosystem activities, etc. 

In addition to desktop research the Consultant should rely on interviews (in-person or remote) as his/her primary means of gathering information. The Consultant is expected to rely on her/his network to arrange the interviews and obtain a comprehensive assessment of the entrepreneurial ecosystem, i.e. one that reflects the views of start-ups, incubators/accelerators, investors, and relevant government agencies.

Deliverables and Payment schedule 

The expected outputs of the consultants are as follows: 

The written report (including executive summary) shall be provided to GGGI to address all items requested in the Scope of Work, including list of references and possible databases. The consultant is expected to incorporate comments from GGGI into the reports before the deliverables are approved. The official (final) report shall be issued after the comments on the draft report has been fully addressed.  

To maintain a prompt communication between the consultant and GGGI as well as achieve the high quality of services, it is expected that the consultant shall regularly hold update calls/meetings or email exchange to update on key findings and keep track on the engagement progress on the bi-weekly basis.  

All reports and outputs must be in English (unless being indicated otherwise), in accordance with GGGI’s formatting requirements, and submitted in hard copy and electronic formats along with complete sets of raw data, research materials, and interview notes. A consultation workshop to discuss the findings will be organized in cooperation with GGGI.  

Payment timeline:  

Expertise required

GGGI is looking for a highly qualified individual consultant that may provide technical support and advice as specified in this TOR, as guided below:  

• Master’s in Finance, Banking, Economics, Public Policy, Engineering or other related fields (PhD is an advantage). 
• At least 8 years of professional experience in which 4-6 years of experience engaging entrepreneurship ecosystem, public policy development relating to SMEs/ startups/ Innovation; 
• Demonstrated extensive knowledge in entrepreneurship regulations, startup ecosystem, with sound understanding of climate-tech landscape of Vietnam.  
• Good understanding of climate tech, green assets/technologies (i.e. in the areas of energy efficiency, waste treatment facility, green business, sustainable agriculture etc.) 
• Strong background in research;  
• Ability to work independently under time pressures with minimal instruction or supervision; 

• Fluency in English is required, with excellent writing and presentation skills.  

Administrative information

In addition to the Cover letter and CV and examples/links of previous work, the consultant needs to submit a draft financial proposal.  

Date to close is Korean Standard Time (KST). Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered Application. Cover Letter, and CV must be sent in English. A consortium, or a firm may not be engaged for the individual consultant assignment.  

Child protection – GGGI is committed to child protection, irrespective of whether any specific area of work involves direct contact with children. GGGI’s Child Protection Policy is written in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child.