WEDP 2.

0
Startup Selection and support Procedure: Short Concept Note
Outlines
1. Introduction
2. Objective of the program
3. Outputs
4. Target (Innovative Startup and other Startups)
5. Main Support Categories
6. Selecetion Process
7. Participating Stakeholders and their Roles
8. Competition Organizing Body
9. Capacity Building program Providers
10. Evaluation Criteria for Award (Innovative Business Ideas…)
Annex
11. Jury Selection Criteria
12. Competitors selection Criteria
13. Application Form
 1. Introduction
Ethiopia has a significant population of women and youth, with an estimated 60.3 million
women in 2023. To achieve the national goals by 2030, it is crucial to implement programs that
promote national development. One such initiative could be supporting women and youth in
starting and sustaining businesses to create more job opportunities. The WEDP 2.0 aims to assist
innovative and traditional startups, ensuring they have access to support and guidance. This
concept note outlines the selection process for identifying viable startups that deserve
government assistance at various levels.
2. Objective
 Building a system that inspires and supports new business ideas
 Generating new business innovation ideas generated by women and focused on
solving the main challenges seen in each sector.
 Helping women identify the opportunities of their environment and develop their
use by supporting them with creative ideas.
 Developing high growth women owned businesses that can generate demand for
effective credit and financial services.
 To develop a work culture where women become problem solvers
3. Outputs
a. Enhance the skills and knowledge of innovative women startups and traditional
women startups.
b. Increased access to financing
c. Enhance Women Employment Opportunities
d. Enhance Women Economic Participation
4. Target
There are two target categories: 1. Innovative startups with high growth potential, new
and market opportunity creating innovation/ideas
2. Traditional startup with viable business idea who can start and grow their business
based on opportunities in their locality and who can create employment opportunities and
run sustainable business.
5. Main Support Categories
There are two support categories:
i. Business Development Support, including Financial support for traditional
startups
ii. Business Development Support, award and incubation and/or acceleration support
to innovative startups
6. Selection Process
There are 2 different selection Process based on target
1. For Traditional Startups: The trained OSS staff and TVT trainers evaluate the
application of women to start business. Based on the evaluation, those who fulfills
 the set criteria will pass to the next level: training package in which they get
entrepreneurial education, pitch their ideas and accordingly get selected for BDS
support.
2. For Innovative Startups: the Trained OSS, TVT Trainers and additional members
to be structured will evaluate the application of innovators. Based on the
evaluation, those who pass the criteria at initial screening level will get the
training. Based on the training, they will compete for fud at least at regional level.
This could also be linked to other national programs to reduce cost of the
program.
Option 1:
Step 1: Wereda level application
Step 2: Woreda Level competition
Step 3: Zonal Level Competition
Step 4: Regional Level Competition and Award for innovators with disruptive
ideas.

Option 2:
Run the competition at Woreda Level to ensure the sustainability of the business. For both of the
Innovative Startups and Traditional Startups, it is possible to shotrten the process and reduce cost
by running the competition at woreda level.
7. Participating Stakeholders
 OSSC as a structure of Ministry of Labor and Skills
Duties: collect applications, organize data, lead the program with other
stakeholders
 EDI-Ethiopia leads the overall coordination of the program at each region through
its regional and city level coordination offices, provide support programs such as
capacity building and other BDS supports
 Regional Job Creation Bureau: organizes the program at city level with other
stakeholders, create awareness.
 Zonal Job Creation Bureau: coordinate the overall activities at zonal level as part
of enterprise creation program
 Women and Child Affairs Office: Promote the program through their media
outlets and advocate the program.
 Financial Institutions: provide financial support to those selected as viable
business for traditional startups, and channel access to finance to Innovative
startups.
8. Competition Organizing Body
 EDI at regional structures and the Regional government through MoLS Structure and
TVTs.
9. Capacity Building Program Providers
EDI capacitates TVT and Universities at each locality through its proven model. Then the
TVTs and Universities run the capacity building programs under the guidance of EDI, its
supervision, terms and conditions as per the standard.

10. Evaluation Criteria for Award (Innovative Business Ideas…)

a. Practicability of the business/innovative idea
b.Desirability and Viability of the business
c. Capacity for growth
d.Capacity for Continuous cash flow
e. Environmentally sustainability and sensitivity
11. Jury Selection
Based on the existing Human capital in the area, the following will be used to select
juries.
o Scholars or teachers who are praised or respected in the academic or
research world
o Successful entrepreneurs
o From the private sector
o Non-governmental partner organizations
12. Competitor’s Selection Criteria
a. Employment creation capacity
b.Inclusivity
c. Environmental Sustainability
d.Continuity and growth
e. Viability
f. Pitch quality/presentation of own innovative or business idea.