National Business Incubation Association

Southern African Business & Technology Incubation Association

Shanghai International Technology Transfer Information Platform

Entry/Exit Criteria and Procedures for various TBIF Programs/Phases

The applicant will be informed in writing about the decisions of the TBIF team whether he/she is eligible to participate, in which phase to enter the program, or advised alternative possibilities.

Entry criteria for Phase 1, Promotion, Selection and Orientation

• Applicants possess the Rwandan nationality
• Applicants are students or graduates, possessing at least a bachelor degree in any discipline from a recognised University, or students who do not have a degree yet, but have 65% or above on their academic performance record
• Applicants have an innovative business idea with a technology related character
• Applicants shows eagerness and sufficient evidence of interest to become an entrepreneur
• Applicants are able and willing to pay a subsidised course fee
Procedures
• The applicant formally registers by completing an admission form
• The admission will be evaluated by the TBIF team
• Within two weeks the candidate will receive a written decision from the TBIF
• Depending on the phase the candidate enters the program, participation will be formalised in written form by both parties.

Entry requirement for Phase 2, Preparation of the Business Plan

• Candidates are able and willing to pay a subsidised consultancy fee
• Candidates must be able to submit a viable business plan to the TBIF sub committee
• Candidates business ideas forwarded to the TBIF during phase 1 must have been evolved in an innovative Business Plan in the Rwandan context. At this stage a first screening by the TBIF team is based on these innovative criteria and advice is given whether to become a TBIF tenant (within the walls) or a TBIF client (outside the walls)
• Candidates must be ready to submit their Business Plan together with the financial plan to the EDF
Procedures
• New applicant: the applicant formally registers by completing an admission form
• Existing candidate coming from phase 1: Signs form, stating that he/she participate to phase II
• Consultant assists the candidate. If necessary with personal counselling and necessary hand-outs
• By an existing enterprise the consultant will make a site visit
• Consultant makes written comments on the BP and forward to the EDF
• TBIF Business Plan Evaluation Assessment Panel evaluates the BP, makes written comments an forward to the EDF

Entry criteria for Phase 3, Preparing for Start and Incubation

• Entry: Candidates are ready to pay a subsidised consultancy fee
• Exit: Prospective entrepreneurs must have approval of their Business and Financial plan from TBIF and EDF before admission to the TBIF can be approved
• Exit: Prospective entrepreneurs must have obtained finance before admission in the incubator can be allowed.
Procedures
• New applicant: the applicant formally registers by completing an admission form
• Prospective entrepreneur coming from phases I and II: Signs form, stating that he/she participate to phase III
• The consultant assists the prospective entrepreneur with links to financial institutions
• The consultant assists with completion of documentation and forwarding the Admission Request to the TBIF Technical Committee.

Entry and exit criteria for Phase 4, Incubation (Incubator within walls)

• 70 % of the TBIF tenants are graduates from Rwandan Institutes of Higher Learning, 30 % of the TBIF tenants may be owners of enterprises that exist less than 1 year, able to team up with the graduates.
• 80 % of the TBIF tenants must develop activities in the value chains: food processing, environment, with ICT as a cross-cutting sector. 20 % may be other sectors.
• If there are more potential tenants that fulfil all criteria than available space, female entrepreneurs have preference
• Tenancy in the TBIF has a maximum duration of 2 years. In special cases a longer period can be granted by the TBIF Steering Committee. (Anchor tenants)
• The tenant period can be shortened in case that the enterprise exceed its original projections and need more space and/or facilities than the TBIF can offer.
• In case the tenant is not able to adhere to the rules and regulations as stipulated in the contract with the TBIF
• TBIF tenants must be ready to sign a contract which obliges them to work in full transparency with the TBIF consultants and where is stated that the prime goal of the TBIF tenants and clients must be to set up a new business for themselves and impart their experience in entrepreneurship to their fellow incubates, as far as they are not competitors.
Procedures
• The entrepreneur signs a formal tenancy contract, describing the TBIF rules and regulations. (This contract includes the fixed incubation services)
• The entrepreneur signs Business Development Services contracts according to the needs.
• TBIF tenant management ensures good working conditions/ environment
• TBIF management connects tenant to important network, markets and financial institutions
• TBIF consultants provide constant mentoring and advice to the TBIF tenants