DW Akademie Smart Media Accelerator Program

The Smart Media Accelerator (SMA) is DW Akademie’s initiative to identify, support and accelerate media outlets and start-up media projects, all in the name of quality journalism in Tunisia, Morocco and Algeria. Under the umbrella of the SMA, the incubation program Media Loves Tech supports young start-ups and projects in the “prototype phase”, while the Media Parcours accelerates the growth of already founded quality-oriented media outlets. The Smart Media Accelerator (SMA) is the hub for quality journalism and consists of two different projects (Media Loves Tech and Media Parcours) which are unified by the same goal: to enhance the quality of journalism and reporting.

Main Tasks

• Participation in the selection interview and review and assessment process of participating startup teams and their projects.
• Improve the innovation process with focus on the incubation progress in terms of adaptability to the Tunisian scene and to the specific needs of the selected start-ups, in perfect alignment with the program strategy.
• Preparation and execution of trainings, bootcamp days and mentorship for the SMA teams in the areas of Customer Desirability, Technical Feasibility, Business Viability and Content Quality including ideation and design sessions as well as individual mentoring.
• Train teams in early-stage product development journeys using design thinking and lean start-up approaches.
• Analysis of participant submissions and deliverables in terms of Customer Desirability, Technical Feasibility, Business Viability and Content Quality, and assess the projects maturity.
• Co-Development of the SMA e-learning platform in terms of new content, adaptability of the hosted content, and the overall experience, in close contact with the project management, assigned field experts, and the technical developers.
• Networking and collaboration with and involvement of mentors and experts in the SMA project (large network in the start-up sector required).
• Documentation and preparation of results, including updates on all project implementations as part of the award ceremony.

Criteria

• The requirements for the trainer and contract content are as follows:
  • Several years of experience using design thinking and clear start-up approaches to validate new business models and new concepts.
  • Experience in working with start-up founders.
  • Deep knowledge about emerging/disruptive technologies assessment and application in the media industry.
  • Deep knowledge of the Tunisian and the regional entrepreneurial ecosystem.
  • Project and program organization management and get-things-done skills.
  • Ability to gain an understanding of a large variety of start-ups with very differing business models.
  • Passionate about new emerging tech and ability to create “awareness” and “attractiveness” for new usage in the media industry.
  • Innovative and entrepreneurial mindset.
  • Experience in open innovation and venture processes is a plus.
  • Experience in working with corporates and organizations on innovation topics is a plus.
• Languages: English, French, Arabic (Tunisian) fluent.
• IT: Mastering and working with all relevant ‘New Work’ tools.
• Expertise: Business design, strategy development, start-up development.
• Personal: Structured work, good time management, high technical competence, strong soft skills – proximity/support to/of the participants.

For more information, visit DW Akademie.