RFP/KFW/AP/2026/00042

Procurement of Technical Delivery Partner for AI Growth Lab Pilot Program

1. Background

Accelerate Prosperity (AP) is a global initiative of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) in Central and South Asia, which follows guidance from the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) Board to develop more formal structures to catalyze enterprises within AKDN's main area development programs, where economic opportunities remain insufficient. Through patient capital and tailored business advisory to startups and businesses, AP complements broader employment-related programs of AKF and draws significantly on technical expertise from the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development's (AKFED) Industrial Promotion Services (IPS), and coordinates efforts with the AKDN's financial institutions, the University of Central Asia and many other national partners.

AP's approach combines financial and non-financial support, recognizing that standalone business development services and traditional bank financing are inadequate to catalyze start-ups, grow small firms, and deliver job creation in fragile and emerging markets, particularly for marginalized groups in rural areas.

2. Program Overview

Start-up Pakistan is a project financed by German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) and implemented by Accelerate Prosperity. The initiative aims to scale up Accelerate Prosperity's existing model of technical support and financing for businesses. It will expand into new geographies and across exciting sectors such as education, health, tourism and green economy, prioritizing digitization and environmental sustainability.

3. About the Program

Accelerate Prosperity is exploring a more innovative approach to supporting technology startups, particularly those developing artificial intelligence-based products.

In response, this program is designed for startups that already have an AI-enabled minimum viable product, an active codebase, and an identified technology stack.

The pilot will focus on the technical foundations of each product and support startups in moving from basic AI-enabled prototypes toward more scalable, efficient, and technically robust systems.

The proposed pilot will support 25 startups that already possess:

• A working or partially working AI-enabled MVP;
• An accessible codebase and Git repository;
• An identified technology stack;
• A clearly defined AI functionality;
• At least one technical founder or responsible developer; and
• A commitment to implement technical improvements during the program.

The Technical Delivery Partner will design and deliver the program end-to-end: developing the AI-assisted screening layer, conducting technical diagnostics, delivering the weekly engineering sessions, and directing the hands-on technical work.

By Technical Delivery Partner, we mean a firm which is well suited to deliver the scope outlined in these Terms of Reference and with a proven track record of running programs of this kind. Unlike a purely advisory consultancy, the Partner is not only engaged for assessment, recommendations, and a report; it is responsible for delivering the program and its outcomes.

The program will operate through weekly engineering tasks, technical reviews, mentoring, expert coaching, and jury-based progress assessments. Each startup will work on its own product throughout the three-month period.

4. Request for Proposal:

Accelerate Prosperity Pakistan (AP-AKRSP) invites sealed proposals from interested and eligible suppliers for the procurement.

For further details, please download the RFP attached to the publication. 

5: Clarifications

For any queries, you may contact the Procurement Unit via email no later than 5 November 2026, at: [email protected].