Terms of Reference: Consultancy to develop a prototype IDIA Capital Continuum and 'White Label' Capital Stack Framework

Results for Development (R4D) is a leading non-profit global development partner. We collaborate with change agents around the world — government officials, civil society leaders and social innovators — to create strong systems that support healthy, educated people. We help our partners move from knowing their goal to knowing how to reach it. We combine global expertise in health, education and nutrition with analytic rigor, practical support for decision-making and implementation and access to peer problem-solving networks. Together with our partners, we build self-sustaining systems that serve everyone and deliver lasting results. Then we share what we learn so others can achieve results for development, too
We have a unique and vibrant culture at R4D. Diversity, equity and inclusion are at the heart of our work environment and help advance our mission. Diversity—of ideas, identities, perspectives and backgrounds—is vital to who we are and what we do. We seek people who embrace these values and will help reinforce them. Our work culture is collaborative, creative and entrepreneurial. We operate based on trust and respect. Teams across the organization frequently collaborate on programmatic work and support each other in continuously building a better R4D

For the International Development Innovation Alliance (IDIA) 1. About R4D & IDIA Results for Development (R4D) is a leading non-profit global development partner. We collaborate with change agents around the world — government officials, civil society leaders and social innovators — to create strong systems that support healthy, educated people. We help our partners move from knowing their goal to knowing how to reach it. We combine global expertise in health, education and nutrition with analytic rigor, practical support for decision-making and implementation and access to peer problem-solving networks. Together with our partners, we build self-sustaining systems that serve everyone and deliver lasting results. Then we share what we learn so others can achieve results for development, too
The International Development Innovation Alliance (IDIA) is a unique collaboration network that brings together experienced innovation practitioners from the world's leading development agencies. The network, managed by R4D, has a shared goal of 'actively promoting and advancing innovation as a means to help achieve sustainable development'. It targets two areas of innovation: scaling innovations and strengthening innovation ecosystems. IDIA's activities have focused on raising the profile of innovation, synthesizing knowledge and learning and catalysing collaboration and experimentation. As IDIA marks its 10-year anniversary, its model is being updated to focus on 'collective action', where IDIA runs a series of 'Demonstration Models' to catalyse collaboration amongst its members (and the wider IDIA Ecosystem) and accelerate impact
2. The Opportunity One of the IDIA 'Demonstration Models' currently under design is called 'Transforming Capital Support for Innovators and Entrepreneurs'. It positions that the funding environment for innovators and entrepreneurs is inherently complex; there is often a lack of capital, and when it is available, it can be mismatched to the realities of growing a business in complex, underdeveloped markets. This is especially true when it comes to impact-driven start-ups, who prioritise long-term value creation for societal or environmental benefit over short-term commercial gains (referred to as 'zebras' in some literature
To combat this 'capital complexity', IDIA aims to develop a more coordinated, coherent, and accessible financing ecosystem by introducing two complementary concepts: · The first is the 'Capital Continuum', which is a structured approach through which the various types of capital IDIA member agencies have to offer are sequenced and connected to provide a smoother, faster pathway to impact. It is designed to improve both the visibility of the funding that is available in IDIA and how it could be better connected across member agencies so that an innovator/entrepreneur can more efficiently plan, access and sequence their transition between the different funders and capital products they need, as they progress along the various stages of the IDIA Scaling Framework · The second is the 'Capital Stack', which is a tailored arrangement of different types of capital for each individual innovator/entrepreneur, which enables them to meet the risk, return and control needs of specific innovation at a specific time. As a solution matures / increases in complexity, it will likely require an innovator to blend and balance multiple types of financing that help address different parts of that solution's evolution – be that scaling up to reach more people, investing in human resources / organizational capacity or perhaps considering an initial public offering (IPO). As such, different kinds of innovations will require different types of a capital stack at any one time to progress, with those capital stacks also varying depending on the sector (e.g. health, education) in which the solution is situated. This is because each sector has different market dynamics, time to impact, revenue models, regulatory landscapes and levels of perceived risk
IDIA believes that a more structured approach to both the 'Capital Continuum' and 'Capital Stack' will enable innovators and entrepreneurs to reach their pathway to impact more effectively and efficiently 3. The Objective This consultancy contributes to the first phase of the 'Demonstration Model' and has two goals. The first goal is to design a generic and adaptable prototype of a 'Capital Stack' framework, which can be replicated across different contexts and thematic areas. This will utilise existing research from a soon-to-be-published 'Climate Financing Playbook', led by GIZ, along with other studies. The second goal is to map the existing 'Capital Continuum' for IDIA across its six-stage Scaling Framework
4. Scope of Work The consultancy team will be expected to: 1. Conduct a Rapid Landscape Review of available capital across IDIA member agencies:
• Synthesise existing evidence and frameworks around innovation financing for the Capital Continuum, with particular attention to: o Types of capital (grants, debt, equity, guarantees, etc.) offered and deployed by IDIA members, and through what mechanisms o Mapping the typical availability / deployment of these capital types to the six stages of the IDIA Scaling Framework o Summarising where there are gaps and opportunities for greater efficiency in the IDIA Capital Continuum
Expected Output: A baseline Capital Continuum Map for IDIA, with high-level (and a sectoral) recommendations around addressing gaps or enhancing connectivity
2. Review Innovator and Entrepreneur Financing Needs
•Identify typical financial needs of innovators and entrepreneurs at different scaling stages, referencing the types of capital and proportionate stacks that are typically needed at each stage
•Drawing on innovator / entrepreneur case studies from the literature or the IDIA Million Lives Collective community, provide an analysis of a minimum of three diverse 'Capital Stacks' that have been constructed at different stages in the IDIA Scaling Framework and provide commentary discussing the benefits and limitations of these Stacks in facilitating the successful transition of those innovators / entrepreneurs to the next stage in the framework. How did they leverage the different types of capital for different parts of their business or innovation? What alternative forms of capital did they miss?
Expected Output: A written analysis and visual presentation of the findings from the Capital Stack review
3. Design the Prototype 'White Label' Framework
• Using the data and insights from #1 and #2 above, develop an interactive, user-friendly 'white-label' online model that allows users (funders, innovators and entrepreneurs) to visualise: o An 'optimal' Capital Continuum across the IDIA Scaling Framework, clarifying where and why different forms of capital from funders is useful and highlighting areas where there are gaps / inefficiencies between this optimal framework and the current capital offering across IDIA members. referring particularly to opportunities for reducing duplication and enhancing the comprehensiveness of the Capital Continuum through other funding sources outside the IDIA ecosystem o The indicative and proportionate Capital Stack structures that are likely to be relevant and impactful for innovators / entrepreneurs at each of the six stages in the IDIA Scaling Framework, with the model enabling users to understand (a) the value each form of capital provides in each Stack; (b) the level of difficulty they may face in attempting to construct each Stack based on current capital availability mapped in the Capital Continuum; and (c) the potential implications – positive and negative - of adjusting the optimal proportions of each type of capital for each Capital Stack
• Ensure flexibility for the model to be tailored for different sectors and types of innovation (e.g., health, agriculture, climate
Expected Output: A prototype 'White Label' framework/model illustrating an optimal 'Capital Continuum' and associated Capital Stacks across the six stages of the IDIA Scaling Framework, highlighting opportunities for addressing any gaps / inefficiencies that exist with the current funding available across the IDIA member agencies
4. Facilitate White Label Model/Framework Validation and Feedback Loop
•Present and invite feedback on the prototype model with IDIA member agencies and selected innovators and investors at dedicated workshops during the African Venture Philanthropy Alliance annual conference (4 November 2025, Nairobi) and the IDIA Global Summit (2 December 2025, Nairobi
•Capture feedback from these workshops and integrate refinements as appropriate Expected Output: A final online framework/model for both the 'Capital Continuum' and 'Capital Stacks' with an accompanying recommendations report for efficient implementation
5. Experience and Qualifications of the Team: Required:
•Proven experience in innovation financing, especially within the development or impact ecosystem
•Demonstrated expertise in designing financial frameworks or instruments (e.g., blended finance, venture support, catalytic capital
•Familiarity with entrepreneurial pathways and the innovation scaling journey (e.g., accelerators, social enterprises, venture studios
•Experience conducting rapid landscape analyses and synthesizing complex financial systems
•Ability to facilitate virtual and/or in-person stakeholder consultations and co-creation workshops
•Excellent skills in data visualization, financial modeling, and report writing
Desirable:
•Knowledge of / prior work with IDIA member agencies or similar innovation funders
•Familiarity with African innovation ecosystems and related capital flows
•Experience building or advising capital stacks or conducting capital mapping exercises
•Access to additional relevant networks of funders and innovators for consultation
6. Timeline and Budget: The work is expected to commence no later than 8 September and conclude no later than 31 December 2025. Expected output dates are as follows:
1. Contract Signature – 8 September 2. Rapid Landscape Review Baseline Capital Continuum Map for IDIA Capital Stack Review - 30 September 3. Draft Model/Framework – 15 October 4. Workshop design for Model/Framework validation and input at AVPA and IDIA convenings – 24 October 5. Delivery of AVPA workshop – 4 November 6. Delivery of IDIA workshop – 2 December 7. Final online framework/model for both the 'Capital Continuum' and 'Capital Stacks,' reflecting workshop feedback and with an accompanying recommendations report for efficient implementation – 31 December
The total fixed fee payment for this work is USD $25,000 (or equivalent currency) to include all relevant fees and taxes. Economy class return travel and two nights hotel accommodation per trip for one person to participate in the AVPA and IDIA workshops in Nairobi, Kenya, will be paid for separately by R4D in accordance with R4D's travel policy
7. Application Submission Applications for the work should include the following: · A 2-page (maximum) narrative of your approach to the work · CVs (maximum of 1 page) for relevant team members · Proposed Budget (with breakdown of personnel, direct and indirect costs Please submit applications to by 22nd August. Applications and interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis for efficiency Results for Development is an EOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled/Affirmative Action Employer committed to fostering and nurturing an energetic, collaborative and diverse workforce. R4D provides market-competitive salaries and comprehensive employee benefits.

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