The chair of this working group is Associate Prof.Dr.Deniz Tuncalp
He is elected General Manager at the new ITU 1773 ITU Teknopark in which the Istanbul Teknik University has the majority shares. Founding the new technology transfer office for commercialization of research outputs. Associate Professor at Istanbul Technical University, Turkey. Management Engineering Department – Ranked among the Top 10 in the Turkish startup ecosystem with the highest impact (9th in 2021, 2nd in 2022. – Top 10% research scholars in ITU. Previously General Manager ITU ARI Technopark, Istanbul, Turkey Technology Development. One of Turkey’s leading technology development regions.
– 300+ R&D companies, 7,900+ staff and $866 million export performance
– Development of ITU Çekirdek Incubation Center, recognized as one of the top 5 university incubation centers in the world by independent rankings. During the period, 5,545 founders applied for 49,706 entrepreneurial teams. 2,951 startup teams were accepted and supported with 62,532 hours of mentoring and $27 million in seed investment and rewards.
– Established Innogate International Acceleration Program with the support of the Ministry of Industry and Technology and the Istanbul Development Agency. Between 2015 and 2020, 186 advanced entrepreneurs accelerated 95 companies in 12 groups, enabling them to start or increase their exports.
– Established ITU Magnet Advanced Entrepreneurship Center, supported 76 scale-up companies ready for VC-level investment until the end of 2020 – Specify and tender equipment and training materials based on relevant training plans.
The “Entrepreneurship and Startups” working group is typically focused on projects that foster entrepreneurship, supporting startups, and promoting innovation within a specific region or industry..
Its goal is to create an ecosystem that nurtures the growth of startups, encourages entrepreneurial activity, and facilitates the development of innovative solutions. Here are the key tasks and responsibilities that this working group undertake:
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Startup Incubation: Establish and operate startup incubators or accelerators to provide early-stage startups with resources, mentorship, and workspace to help them grow and succeed.
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Entrepreneurship Education: Offer training programs, workshops, and educational resources to aspiring entrepreneurs, providing them with the skills and knowledge needed to start and manage a business.
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Access to Funding: Facilitate connections between startups and potential investors, including venture capital firms, angel investors, and government grants or loans. Provide guidance on securing funding.
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Networking Events: Organize networking events, pitch competitions, and industry-specific meetups to connect entrepreneurs with mentors, investors, and potential collaborators.
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Mentorship and Advisory Services: Pair experienced entrepreneurs and industry experts with startups to provide mentorship, guidance, and advice on various aspects of business development.
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Market Research and Validation: Assist startups in conducting market research, validating their business ideas, and refining their value propositions to better meet customer needs.
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Business Development Support: Provide support in areas such as business strategy, marketing, sales, and product development to help startups scale and enter new markets.
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Legal and Regulatory Guidance: Offer legal and regulatory assistance to help startups navigate compliance requirements, intellectual property protection, and business registration.
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Co-Working Spaces: Create co-working spaces and innovation hubs where startups can work, collaborate, and access essential resources like high-speed internet and meeting facilities.
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Technology and Infrastructure: Support startups with access to advanced technology, prototyping facilities, and specialized equipment required for product development.
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Demo Days and Investor Presentations: Organize events where startups can showcase their products or services to potential investors, partners, and customers.
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Pitch Coaching: Provide training and coaching to startups on how to pitch their ideas effectively to investors and secure funding.
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Access to Talent: Facilitate connections between startups and talented individuals seeking to join or collaborate with innovative companies.
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Ecosystem Development: Collaborate with local businesses, universities, government agencies, and industry associations to strengthen the overall entrepreneurial ecosystem.
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International Expansion Support: Offer guidance and resources to startups looking to expand their operations internationally, including market entry strategies and networking opportunities abroad.
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Sustainability and Impact: Encourage startups to consider sustainability and social impact in their business models and operations.
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Monitoring and Evaluation: Continuously assess the impact of the working group’s initiatives and gather feedback from startups and entrepreneurs to improve support services.
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Diversity and Inclusion: Promote diversity and inclusion within the startup ecosystem, ensuring that underrepresented groups have equal access to opportunities and resources.
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Policy Advocacy: Advocate for policies and regulations that support entrepreneurship and startup growth, including tax incentives, intellectual property protection, and streamlined business registration processes.
