BEBKA Continues To Develop The Entrepreneurship Ecosystem
The 4th edition of the SeedUP Innovative Entrepreneurship Program, initiated by BEBKA and BTU Technology Transfer Office to pave the way for entrepreneurs, has been held. BEBKA Acting Secretary-General Sabri Bayram stated that support for promising investments will continue to increase.
Entrepreneurs who successfully completed the 2023 SeedUP Innovative Entrepreneurship Program, supported by Bursa Eskişehir Bilecik Development Agency (BEBKA) and carried out by Bursa Technology Transfer Office (BursaTTO) within Bursa Technical University (BTÜ), in collaboration with the Eastern Marmara Development Agency (MARKA), Southern Marmara Development Agency (GMKA), and Thrace Development Agency (TRAKYAKA), presented their projects to investors.
Entrepreneurs Meet Investors
Under the motto ‘From Idea to Product, From Product to Investment,’ 7 entrepreneurs who successfully completed the SeedUP Innovative Entrepreneurship Program and participated in the Demoday event had the opportunity to share their projects with investors. At the event, where Bursa TTO General Manager Prof. Dr. Ayşe Bedeloğlu explained the details of the program, the jury consisted of Turkey Chambers and Commodity Exchanges Union (TOBB) Bursa Young Entrepreneurs Board Chairman Emre Yıldız, Bursa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BTSO) E-Commerce and Digitalization Council Chairman İlker Özgüven, Kültepe Investment Inc. Representative İbrahim Ulukaya, Şirket Ortağım Angel Investment Network Representative Sadık Köseoğlu, Boğaziçi Ventures Representative Gizem Sezer, Eksim Ventures Representative Serdar Bahadır, Vefa Group Representative Tolga Erkmen, Epochsystem Software Information Technologies Industry and Trade Ltd. Şti. Representative Seçkin Yılmaz, Ventures & Mentors League Representative Ufuk Batum, and GF Startups & Erdem Kaya Patent Representative Engin Alemdar. The Demoday program concluded with a Q&A session for each entrepreneur.
Bayram: Our Support For Entrepreneurs Will Contınue
In his speech, moderated by BEBKA Specialist Yasemin Hatipoğlu, BEBKA Acting Secretary-General Sabri Bayram emphasized the importance of developing the entrepreneurship ecosystem, highlighting that 219 startups in Turkey received investments in the first nine months of 2023, a 78% increase compared to the same period in 2019. Bayram stated, “Strengthening the entrepreneurship culture and ecosystem is crucial. As BEBKA, we aim to increase the number of startups in leading sectors and support their growth. To achieve this, we designed and implemented the SeedUP Innovative Entrepreneurship Program in collaboration with regional technology transfer offices to support entrepreneurs who want to bring innovative business ideas to life. So far, we have provided training and mentorship to 76 people through 3 SeedUP programs, 27 entrepreneurs met with investors, 10 companies were established, and 46 people were employed. To support the entrepreneurship ecosystem in our region and provide access to finance for entrepreneurs, we have announced the Regional Venture Capital Financial Support Program. We aim to increase investments through this program and continue to support promising entrepreneurs.”
Prof. Dr. Uyanık: We Contribute To Development
Bursa Technical University Vice-Rector Prof. Dr. Sinan Uyanık stated, “Within the scope of the SeedUP Innovative Entrepreneurship Program, which started in March 2023 and lasted for 9 months, 3 informational meetings were held in April, and applications were received. All topics needed by entrepreneurs were conveyed by expert trainers from A to Z within the SeedUP 2023 framework. Subsequently, each entrepreneur was assigned 2 mentors, one sectoral and one academic, and a total of 60 hours of mentorship support was provided. As Bursa Technical University and BursaTTO, we also held 3 additional face-to-face training sessions on KOSGEB Support Information Day, TÜBİTAK TEYDEB Support Information Day, and Commercialization Processes to contribute to the development of our entrepreneurs. I believe that our Demoday event, the final and most crucial stage where our entrepreneurs meet with investors, will bring significant results.”
A Device From An Entrepreneur Is In The Nato Inventory
BTÜ Faculty Member and BursaTTO General Manager Prof. Dr. Ayşe Bedeloğlu drew attention to the success of the 2 SeedUP programs carried out with BEBKA’s financial support, stating, “Within the scope of the SeedUP Innovative Entrepreneurship Program, after 146 hours of training and 214 hours of mentorship, 6 companies were established, 4 trademarks were registered, 8 project applications (TÜBİTAK, KOSGEB, etc.) were submitted, 4 projects were supported, and one entrepreneur who made exports (16 million turnover, 756 thousand USD export, opening a branch in Casablanca, Morocco) was brought into the ecosystem.” Bedeloğlu highlighted that a device developed by one program entrepreneur is listed in the NATO inventory and that an entrepreneurial team won 5 awards in 3 competitions. She emphasized that such programs significantly contribute to the entrepreneurship ecosystem and provide a serious boost to the national economy.
