Start-up Program

TThe programme kicked off with ideation trainings in October 2020 to identify entrepreneurs and high potential waste business ideas. 15 start-up teams have been selected for dedicated incubation support in November 2020. From November 2020 till March 2021 all incubated start-up teams received continuous sector specific technical and business training, coaching, mentorship. In March 2021, 7 teams have been selected to pitch for a follow up pilot project. Individual networking and matchmaking support will focus now on leveraging partnerships, clients, access to finance and pilot operations.

Training

Coaching

Mentoring

Matchmaking

Networking

Piloting

Ideation Phase

This 3-day Ideation Training introduces selected participants to the current waste management challenges and equips them with tools to generate business ideas that create significant economic, environmental, and social impact. Moreover, the participants will develop hypotheses, prototype solutions, test their prototypes and learn pitching skills. As a main element of the training course, great emphasis is laid on participants’ interaction: besides the online live sessions, a virtual collaboration platform will be available for group works, mentor sessions and tool applications that trigger participants’ creativity. Participants of the WastePreneur Ideation Training can apply afterwards to the Incubation Programme with their developed business ideas.
(Click on an activity to see its details).

Training Day 1

Training Day 2

Training Day 3

Q&A Session 1

Q&A Session 2

Ideation Training Day 1 Agenda

10:00 – 11:15 Welcome and introduction of programme and participants
11:15 – 12:00 Input 1: Understanding the waste sector
12:30 – 13:00 Session 1: Understanding the problem
13:00 – 14:00 Session 1a: Group work & mentorship
14:00 – 16:00 Individual work
16:00 – 17:00 Session 1b: Define your business challenge
17:00 – 18:00 Session 1c: Explore your business challenge

Ideation Training Day 2 Agenda

10:00 – 10:45 Input 2: Waste sector challenges in Iraq
10:45 – 11:30 Session 2a: Developing a waste solution – brainstorming
11:30 – 12:30 Session 2b: Developing a waste solution – prioritizing
12:30 – 16:00 Individual work
16:00 – 16:45 Session 3a: Who is the customer of your waste solution
17:00 – 18:00 Session 3b: Defining the value of your waste solution

Ideation Training Day 2 Agenda

10:00 – 11:15 Input 3: “Fuck-Up Session” – insight into the waste: sector and input from Compost Baladi
11:15 – 12:15 Session 4: Testing and validating your waste solution
12:15 – 15:00 Individual work
15:00 – 15:30 Session 5: Refine waste business ideas and prepare for pitching
15:30 – 16:30 Individual work
16:30 – 18:00 Final pitching round and wrap up

Q & A Session

During these two hours session the participants had the chance to ask questions and communicate ideas with the mentors after having some days to work on their ideas.

Q & A Session

During these two hours session the participants had the chance to ask questions and communicate ideas with the mentors after having some days to work on their ideas.

Incubation Phase

This 10 months phase aims to solidify the participants’ business models so they start their own businesses in the waste sector at the end of the programme. The weekly coaching sessions and monthly training days will enrich the knowledge and skills of the participants and equip them with the needed tools for starting a successful business. In addition, networking events with key stakeholders will take place along the way to ensure concrete connections that have the potential of real partnerships and cooperation for these emerging businesses. Furthermore, start-ups who are active in the sector in the MENA region will be present in each module to showcase their stories. This will inspire and teach the participants by example and help them understand the context they will be operating in.
The tailor-made sessions and workshops are designed to bridge the gap between the idea and its implementation within the Iraqi waste market. While the main focus of the activities is at the business side of the ideas, the technical part will be covered during the coaching sessions and guest speakers.
Below you can find the defined activities and dates for the next three months. Afterwards, the program will enter the start-up piloting phase and further activities will be scheduled. (Click on an activity to see its details).

Module 1

Coaching 1

Webinar 1

Module 2

Coaching 2

Webinar 2

Module 3

Coaching 3

Webinar 3

Module 4

Coaching 4

Webinar 4

Module 5

Coaching 5

Webinar 5

Module 1: Business model development

This 3 days module builde the cornerstone of understanding what the business model is and how to prepare one. The guest speaker will focus on that part about their business and how they started. The participants will starting forming their own business model on the canvas with the help of the mentors.

Module 1 AGENDA

  • Day 1 (virtual)

    28th of November

    10:00 – 10:45 Welcome and introduction
    10:45 – 11:30 Input 1: Business Opportunities in the Waste Sector
    11:45 – 12:00 Session 1: Introduction to the Business Model Canvas: Strategic Positioning
    12:00 – 12:45 Session 1a: Understand a BMC Example
    12:45 – 16:00 Individual work: Develop your own BMC – Strategic
    18:00 – 18:30 Session 1b: Reflect on your BMC – Strategic
    18:30 – 19:00 Session 2: Market Positioning
    19:00 – 20:00 Session 2a: Refining your BMC – Coaching
  • Day 2 (virtual)

    29th of November

    10:00 – 10:15 Welcome and Recap
    10:15 – 10:30 Session 3a: Your customers
    10:30 – 11:15 Session 3a: Understanding your customers alternatives and refine your value
    11:30 – 12:15 Session 3b: Financing mechanisms in the waste sector
    12:15 – 12:45 Session 3b: Exercise – financing your BM
    18:00 – 19:00 Session 4: BMC: Blueprint your Operations
    19:00 – 20:00 Session 4a: Defining your BMC – Operations
  • Day 3 (virtual)

    30th of November

    10:00 – 10:30 Welcome and Recap
    10:30 – 11:30 Session 5: How to create technical concepts
    11:45 – 12:45 Session 5a: Exercise: How to create technical concepts for your solution
    18:00 – 18:45 Session 6: Developing an action plan
    18:45 – 19:45 Session 6a: Exercise: Develop an action plan for the next 4 weeks
    19:00 – 20:00 Wrap up, next steps and feedback

Coaching Sessions 1

This session will include a short input on “How to Create Technical Concepts” in addition to the individual sessions for the participants with the mentors from BFS and cewas. External mentors from the waste or business fields may be present as well.

Webinar 1: Technical and R&D Input

This input session will cover different technical topics related to technologies in the waste sector that are related to the participants’ ideas. It meant to expand their horizon and teach them about various possibilities. Black Forest Solutions will share their experties in the research and development as well.

Coaching Sessions 2

This session will include a short input on “How to Validate your Business Model” in addition to the individual sessions for the participants with the mentors from BFS and cewas. External mentors from the waste or business fields may be present as well.

Webinar 2: Development and Prototyping of Waste Solutions

This input session will guide the participants into effecient and effective prototyping for their ideas. Accordingly, the participants are expected to prepare their prototypes for testing in the following weeks.

Coaching Sessions 3

Individual sessions for the participants with the mentors from BFS and cewas. External mentors from the waste or business fields may be present as well.

Module 2: Pilot Project Planning, Matchmaking, Networking and Pitching

This 3 days module will take the entrepreneurs to the next stage in their business journey. It will first guide them through to plan and excute their first pilot project. The it will shape a few important business skills that are much needed specifically at this stage of the business development.

Module 2: Pilot Project Planning, Matchmaking, Networking and Pitching

This 2 days module will take the entrepreneurs to the next stage in their business journey. It will first guide them through to plan and excute their first pilot project. The it will shape a few important business skills that are much needed specifically at this stage of the business development.

Module 2: Pilot Project Planning, Matchmaking, Networking and Pitching

This one day module will take the entrepreneurs to the next stage in their business journey. It will first guide them through to plan and excute their first pilot project. The it will shape a few important business skills that are much needed specifically at this stage of the business development.

Coaching Sessions 4

This session will provide matchmaking support and outreach in addition to the individual sessions for the participants with the mentors from BFS and cewas. External mentors from the waste or business fields may be present as well.

Webinar 3: Development and Prototyping of Waste Solutions

This input session will guide the participants into effecient and effective prototyping for their ideas. Accordingly, the participants are expected to prepare their prototypes for testing in the following weeks.

Coaching Sessions 5

This session will be a follow-up on Piloting in addition to the individual sessions for the participants with the mentors from BFS and cewas. External mentors from the waste or business fields may be present as well.

 

Supporters

The Wastepreneur platform is supported by the “Private Sector Development & Employment Promotion (PSD) Project” in Iraq. The PSD project is co-funded by the European Union and the Federal Republic of Germany. GIZ has been commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

Organizers