BEBKA’s 4th SeedUP Innovative Entrepreneurship Programme’s introductory meeting was attended by a large number of participants from all over Turkey.
Bursa Eskişehir Bilecik Development Agency (BEBKA), which continues its activities under the coordination of the General Directorate of Development Agencies of the Ministry of Industry and Technology, has implemented the SeedUP Innovative Entrepreneurship Programme carried out in cooperation with Bursa Technical University Technology Transfer Office (Bursa TTO), East Marmara Development Agency (MARKA), South Marmara Development Agency (GMKA) and Trakya Development Agency (TRAKYAKA). Within the scope of the programme, which aims to develop the entrepreneurship ecosystem, it is aimed to support the entrepreneurs who establish their companies with mentoring activities and to ensure the sustainability of their business ideas by implementing them.
‘Our Goal is to Develop the Entrepreneurship Ecosystem
BEBKA Secretary General Prof. Dr. M. Zeki Durak made an opening speech at the introductory meeting of the programme and said: ‘While it is becoming more and more important to spread the entrepreneurship culture in our country and to create a strong ecosystem in this way, it is very valuable for the public to assume a regulatory, guiding and monitoring role’. He also underlined that strategic cooperation with private organisations and non-governmental organisations in the implementation of entrepreneurship supports by the public sector will become even more important in the coming period.
100 Million TL Funding Opportunity
Secretary General Durak noted that they focused on the development of the entrepreneurship ecosystem in the region with the Result-Oriented Programme for the Development of the Entrepreneurship Ecosystem carried out by BEBKA and said: ‘We designed the SeedUP Innovative Entrepreneurship Programme to support entrepreneurs who want to start a business to implement innovative business ideas. The programme, which will be carried out under the coordination of BEBKA in cooperation with BursaTTO, MARKA, GMKA and TRAKYAKA and will last for 9 months, will be a long-term process in which entrepreneurs residing in Bursa, Kocaeli, Sakarya, Bolu, Düzce, Yalova, Balıkesir, Çanakkale, Tekirdağ, Edirne and Kırklareli will commercialise their products or establish their companies by realising their innovative business ideas and will be supported with training and mentorships.’ Stating that entrepreneurs will be able to reach new opportunities in terms of financing, Durak said, ‘Within the scope of the Regional Entrepreneurship Capital Financial Support Programme, which we carry out apart from our SeedUP Programme, a total of 100 million TL resources were allocated to 11 funds. In the next 5 years, entrepreneurs in our region will be provided with the opportunity to receive investments from these funds. Entrepreneurs who successfully complete the SeedUP Programme will also have the opportunity to meet with these funds.’
Speaking at the programme, BTU Rector Prof. Dr. Naci Çağlar said, ‘We had previously held SeedUP Innovative Entrepreneurship Programmes in 2019 and 2021, again in cooperation with BEBKA. This year, we are expanding our sphere of influence while carrying out the 3rd edition of the programme. While continuing to support innovation and entrepreneurship with the SeedUP Programme, we also play an important role in contributing to regional development. Our programme aims to increase the number of start-ups by implementing innovative business ideas, contributing to regional development and employment. The establishment and expansion of new businesses will increase the economic potential of our region and provide new job opportunities. Many factors need to come together for initiatives to succeed, and in our programme, we provide the resources that entrepreneurs need and support them on their way to success. Thus, we believe that SeedUP Programme will contribute to the development of the entrepreneurship ecosystem in the region.
The programme continued with the SeedUP Information Presentation of Elif Boz Ulutaş, Head of Planning Unit of BEBKA. Stating that applications for the programme were opened as of 31 March 2023, Ulutaş said, ‘The deadline for applications is 30 April 2023. We expect applications from our entrepreneurs until this date.’ It was emphasised that applications were received from www.seedup.bebka.org.tr. In the last part of the programme, entrepreneurs ‘Yusuf Taş (Troia Global) and Yusuf Aydın (Elbesoft Software), who were successful in SeedUP Programmes carried out in 2019 and 2021, established their companies and started exporting, shared their experiences with the participants. Those who missed the broadcast of the programme, where questions from the participants were answered, can watch it on BEBKA’s Youtube channel.
