Kicking off the Program in 2023
September 21, 2023
Latin America and the Caribbean Department,JICA

Six points of support for business development in
Latin America and the CaribbeanHigh-quality
mentoring by experts(Support from both businessand impact perspectives)

Possibility of additional
support by IDB Lab after
the conclusion of theprogram(B2B or B2C)

Introduction tolocal networks

Possibility of partial
support for travel andinterpretation expenses(Conditional support based on progress)

Possibility of additional
support by JICA after theconclusion of the program(B2G)

Participation in theTSUBASA communitySupport provided in TSUBASA2023
Business Course
TargetCompanies

Content ofSupport

Those considering business development in LAC based on
B2B or B2C business models● Companies in the pre-commercialization stage of a
product/service are also welcome to apply● Support can also be provided for companies that
already have a partner and want to scale up
their business(subject to consultation)

Companies that possess solutions that contribute to JICA'spriority issue areas and to increasing the effectiveness of JICA'scooperation projects, and that are considering a B2G businessmodel● Only for applicable companies in the areas and projects presented byJICA● The solution must already be established, e.g., a solution that has
already been demonstrated and is being sold domestically andinternationally.

Phase 1: Polishing of ideas, identification of potential
partners (Online interviews)
Phase 2: Discuss business plans with potential partners

Phase 1: Organize a scheme for collaboration with JICA'scooperation projects and implementation of demonstrations withcounterpart governments/government-related organizations(including travel support) * Only for companies that have completed Phase 2: Support for consultations with partner countries (includingPhase 1

Goal

Government Course

travel support)

Discussions on a business plan with the initial partner should Confirmation of possible collaboration with counterpart
be completed
government/government-related organizations should be completed

Additional
Consideration on the possibility of additional support by IDB Consideration on the possibility of additional support by JICA
● Determined at the end of the support programsupport after Lab● Note, however, that it will take longer to realize any additional● IDB Lab will decide whether or not to consider thethe program’s
support compared to the Business Course, due to theprovision of additional support at the end of Phase 2.
conclusion
involvement of the counterpart government

Priority areas for which applications are welcomedBusiness Course

Government Course

IDB Lab's areas of focus (this does not preclude
applications pertaining to other areas)

For the Government Course, applications
are accepted in the following areas(1) Amplifying the effects of individual cooperation
projects● Bolivia: "Project for Capacity Development on
Integrated Water Management in Cochabamba"(Technical Cooperation)

Agriculture
and natural
capitalEssential
infrastructureservices

Education,capacity
building, andemployment

Health andmedical careFinancialinclusion

Climate change
Gender and diversity

New technologies

Business models

IDB Lab welcomes applications from companies with innovative
approaches in each of the focus areas● Silver economy, EdTech, AgeTech, FinTech, ClimateTech,
GenderTech, AgTech, etc.

(2) Verification of innovative approaches not tied toindividual cooperation projects● Brazil x Agriculture● Mexico x Agriculture● Bolivia x Agriculture● Panama x Agriculture● Peru x Agriculture /● Latin America & theEnvironment /Caribbean x Environment
Transportation, etc.
● Dominican Republic x
Agriculture
Specific technologies welcomed by JICA
are presented in the explanatory
materials on additional support

Application Guidelines for Open Innovation Challenge
TSUBASA2023
Organizers

JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency), IDB Lab

Objective

Identification of Japanese start-ups with innovative ideas, business models, and technologies capable ofcontributing to the solving of development issues in the Latin America and Caribbean region

Welcomed
applications

Solutions to specific development issues/SDGs in Latin America and the Caribbean

Solicitation period

Application
requirementsMid-October to mid-December✓ Limited to start-ups, SMMEs, in-house ventures of large enterprises, etc. registered in Japan✓ Be in possession of ideas capable of contributing to the solving of development issues / achievement ofSDGs in Latin America and the Caribbean✓ Considering business development in countries supported by JICA/IDB Lab✓ Must be able to participate in the 6-month long support program
Business Course: No specific restrictions apply● Applications pertaining to innovative solutions are welcomed, especially in priority areas– Silver economy, EdTech, AgeTech, FinTech, ClimateTech, GenderTech, AgTech, etc.

Areas ofapplication

Government Course: Applications are accepted in the following areas● (1) Bolivia: "Project for Capacity Development on Integrated Water Management in Cochabamba” (TechnicalCooperation)● (2) Mexico x Agriculture, Panama x Agriculture, Latin America & the Caribbean x Environment, Dominican Republic xAgriculture, Brazil x Agriculture, Bolivia x Agriculture, Peru x Agriculture/Environment/Transportation, etc.

Solicitation Process for Applications
Public solicitation (Mid-October to Mid-December)
Selection (Mid-January)First round of selection (document-based)
Second round of selection (pitch-based)*Follow-up interviews may be conducted with some companies

Idea-polishing category
Polishing of ideas together withJICA and IDB Lab(Course selection, use cases, etc.)
Course selection will be finalized one
month after being selection for thecategory. Termination of support if noagreement on adjustments can be reached.

Business Course

Government Course

Not selectedPoints to Keep in Mind when Applying: About TSUBASA✓ Definition of the welcomed type of innovation: Approaches to achieving SDGs that are innovative● Recognizing the innovation of the approach rather than the innovation of the product itself✓ On the selection of the course to apply for: It is possible to apply to both the Business Course and the Government Course at
the same time
● However, the order of preference concerning which course you are selected for should be clarified✓ Selected to go into the idea-polishing category: Cases where significant pivoting of the business idea is required are
selected to go into the idea-polishing category● If selected for participation in the idea-polishing category, mentoring will take about one month after selection to settle thedirection of the use case and business model, after which the participant will proceed to either the Business Course orGovernmentCourse. If no agreement on the direction can be reached, support will be terminated.
● If pivoting will be difficult, this should be clearly stated in the application form
✓ Diversity considerations: In the selection process, consideration is given to the diversity and inclusion aspects of teamstructures and ideas✓ Assistance with travel expenses: Support will be provided only to companies for which it is deemed appropriate, and aportion of the support amount will be borne by the company.
● Business Course: The goal is to finalize a collaboration plan with a potential partner identified during the program. Only forcompanies that have completed Phase 1.
● Government Course: The goal is to verify the hypothesis for collaboration in consultation with the local government✓ Re-application by previously selected companies: Previously selected companies are allowed to reapply● Contact administrators in advance for conditions.

Points to Keep in Mind when Applying: About
Additional Support✓ Positioning of additional support: Consideration will be given only when a business plan is validated during
the TSUBASA program
Whether additional support can be provided is determined by JICA for the Government Course, and by IDB
Lab for the Business Course.
✓ Additional support by JICA (Government Course): When considering collaboration with an ODA project,please note that a long period of time will be required from the start of discussions with the counterpart
government/government-related organization to project formation.
● Expect a time horizon of about 2 years from the start of discussions with the counterpart
government/government-related organization.
● Also, depending on the tendency of discussions with the counterpart government/government-relatedorganization, there may be changes in policy during the process.

Additional Events Leading up to the Application
Date & Time
September 21, 2023 (today)

September 21 to MidOctober

Overview
Kick-off event
Online pre-application consultation● Implementation period: Until the start of public solicitation● Implementation method and length: Estimated at 15 minutes

per company● Application: Apply via the special TSUBASA website

October 12, 8:00-9:30
ScheduledSeminar to introduce the target issues of theGovernment Course● Implementation method: Online (a recording will not bemade public)● Application: Apply via the special TSUBASA website

Mid-October to MidDecember
January 2024

Solicitation for applications to the Open Innovation
Challenge begins in mid-October, with a December deadline
Selection of companies for support through document
screening and judging of pitch presentations

March onward

Support program (for 6 months)