Lead Regional Coordination for Pre-Accelerators

AI-generated analysis of the documents. Check the official notice and any amendments for current submission details.

1. At a glance

2. Scope of Work

The contract involves the design, delivery, implementation, and training for regionally based pre-accelerators and early-stage supports for startups. The contractor will be responsible for coordinating various activities aimed at fostering innovation-driven startups across multiple regions in Ireland.

Key activities include:

• Program Logistics: Managing logistics for pre-accelerator programs, including participant recruitment and onboarding.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Engaging with regional hubs, investors, universities, and corporate partners to facilitate program delivery.
• Data Reporting and Evaluation: Implementing systems for impact measurement and compliance with branding and quality standards.
• Training Program Design: Creating and delivering training programs tailored for startups, including developing curriculum content and delivery methodologies.
• Mentorship Support: Providing mentorship aligned with international best practices and capability-building interventions.
• Community Building: Organizing community-building activities such as hackathons, bootcamps, and founder weekends.
• Hybrid Delivery Formats: Utilizing both in-person and virtual formats for program delivery, integrating digital tools for participant engagement.

The contractor must recruit a minimum of 500 innovation-driven startups over the contract period, demonstrating measurable impacts such as the number of startups created and regional engagement achieved.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement aligns with the Irish Government's strategy to enhance support for startups and innovation through structured pre-accelerator programs. The initiative is part of Enterprise Ireland's broader mandate to stimulate economic growth and job creation in the startup sector. The timing reflects a renewed focus on fostering entrepreneurship in response to changing economic conditions and the need for innovation-driven growth. No incumbent contractor is specified in the documentation.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement: Minimum average annual turnover of €2,000,000 in one of the last three financial years.
• Insurance:
• Employer’s Liability: €13 million
• Public Liability: €6.5 million
• Professional Indemnity: €1 million
• Cyber Insurance: €5 million
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Must demonstrate experience in at least three comparable projects delivered within the last 60 months.
• Personnel: Not specified for this tender.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

Bids will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

The overall scoring will follow a Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) approach, focusing on quality and price.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documents:

• Method statement / response document: Use the provided template; no page limit specified.
• CVs: For key personnel; no specific page count mentioned.
• Pricing schedule: Must follow the specified format in the provided template.
• Case studies: Three case studies demonstrating relevant experience; no specific value range mentioned.
• Declarations: Including ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, and Conflict of Interest declarations.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified for this tender.
• Submission portal: Responses must be submitted via eTenders in a ZIP file format.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

Key contract terms include:

• Term and extension structure: Not specified.
• Payment terms: Not detailed in the documentation.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Must meet specified performance metrics related to startup recruitment and program delivery.
• Liquidated damages: Not specified.
• Termination clauses: Not detailed.
• IP ownership: Not specified.
• Sub-contracting rules: Allowed, but must be clearly identified in the application.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential risks and concerns include:

• The turnover requirement of €2,000,000 may limit participation to larger firms, potentially excluding smaller businesses.
• The requirement to demonstrate experience in three comparable projects may disadvantage new entrants or smaller firms without extensive portfolios.
• The lack of specified geographic constraints may lead to a wider pool of bidders, but also increases competition.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is suitable for:

• Firms with experience in delivering training and support programs for startups, particularly those with a focus on regional engagement.
• Companies that can demonstrate a strong track record in managing similar projects, particularly in collaboration with stakeholders.
• The use of consortiums or subcontracting is allowed, which may enable smaller firms to participate by partnering with larger entities.
• Bid preparation may require significant effort, estimated at several days to compile necessary documentation and case studies.
• The presence of a minimum turnover requirement and experience criteria may signal a competitive environment, particularly if incumbents are involved.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: 2026-005 National Accelerator - Regional Accelerator (QRD).docx
• eTenders CFT ID: 8213701
• Contact email: Not specified; refer to eTenders for clarification portal.
• Important attachments: Appendix A: Questionnaire Response Document, Qualification Questionnaire.