The Rapid Prototyping Center, established with the support of the Bursa Eskişehir Bilecik Development Agency (BEBKA), is supporting the strengthening of the entrepreneurship ecosystem in the region. The Rapid Prototyping Center, which serves with equipment such as CNC, lathe and milling machines, CAD/CAM software, 3D printers, and welding machines, is utilized by R&D companies, entrepreneurs, design centers, academicians, and students from the university, as well as SMEs operating in Ulutek Technopark.
The center contributes to the innovation-focused development of the region, the production of knowledge and technology, the strengthening of the entrepreneurship ecosystem in the region, and the realization of new ideas.
“So far, 406 prototype parts have been produced at the center”
BEBKA Acting Secretary-General Sabri Bayram told the AA correspondent that the Ulutek Promer Rapid Prototyping Center, established with the support of BEBKA and coordinated by the Ministry of Industry and Technology Development Agencies General Directorate, was founded to support the production of innovative and value-added products.
Bayram stated that the center primarily serves entrepreneurs, startups within the technopark, academicians, and students. “So far, 406 prototype parts have been produced at the center. A young engineer has been employed as the center’s manager. Additionally, prototypes for 2 patents, 2 utility models, 2 industrial products, and 2 brand studies have been produced,” he said.
“The center plays a role in both accelerating and reducing costs”
Bayram highlighted that the necessary electronic and mechanical infrastructure has been provided at the center to enable entrepreneurs to produce prototypes quickly and at low cost.
“An entrepreneur who wants to produce a product must first create a prototype. Without such centers, the entrepreneur would have to go to the industry or known businesses, workshops to produce these prototypes. This is both time-consuming and costly for the entrepreneur. In this regard, the center plays a role in both accelerating the process and reducing costs,” Bayram explained.
“Our goal is to produce high value-added, high-tech products”
Bayram noted that the center’s establishment purpose aligns precisely with the state’s perspective on producing high-tech and value-added products. He emphasized that such initiatives and supports are formed in accordance with national entrepreneurship strategies.
Bayram pointed out that investments in such infrastructures are being made in other regions to strengthen the entrepreneurship ecosystem. He stated that they are continuing their efforts to develop the entrepreneurship ecosystem, particularly in their region.
“With the regional venture capital support we have implemented at this point, we will make a significant contribution to entrepreneurs’ access to investments. In the next period, we will continue to support entrepreneurs in the areas they need, such as accessing investments and marketing their products. Our goal is to produce high value-added, high-tech products. At this point, more incentives and supports are provided for technology-focused entrepreneurship rather than traditional entrepreneurship. As BEBKA, we strive to support technology-focused, higher value-added producing ventures,” Bayram said.
“We can also assist students participating in TEKNOFEST with their manufacturing”
Prof. Dr. İrfan Karagöz, General Manager of the Ulutek Technology Development Zone, stated that the prototyping center was established to support local and national production and help develop high value-added products.
Karagöz mentioned that they received support from BEBKA while creating this center and thanked the Ministry of Industry and Technology for this support.
Explaining that they procured the most used machinery and equipment while setting up the center, Karagöz continued:
“We will continue to develop our center with new machines as needs arise over time. The center was primarily established to meet the prototyping needs of the firms in the technopark. However, we do not limit ourselves to this. We can also assist the projects of Bursa Uludağ University and Bursa Technical University students, as well as the manufacturing of students participating in TEKNOFEST. We can contribute to the realization of their projects. We can respond to the projects and prototyping needs of academicians. Additionally, we are open to firms in the BEBKA region. We aim to meet the prototyping needs of technoparks in Bursa, Eskişehir, and Bilecik.”
