Industry and Technology Minister Mustafa Varank stated that an investment fund of 100 million lira was created at the Ankara Technology Development Center (TEKMER) at the very beginning of the work and said, “Investors are ready to meet the financing needed by the entrepreneurs who will operate here.” said.
Minister Varank inaugurated Ankara TEKMER, which was implemented with the support of KOSGEB, the relevant institution of the Ministry of Industry and Technology. In his speech here, Varank reminded that in 2020, at a time when the shock of the Kovid-19 epidemic was experienced most severely all over the world, a company from Turkey reached a billion-dollar valuation for the first time and became a "unicorn", that is, "Turcorn" in Turkey. Expressing that they continue on their way to spite those who underestimate the potential, thinking that this is a coincidental success, Varank said that the number of Turcorns increased to 2021 in 5.
WE WILL PRODUCE SOLUTIONS
Noting that 2021 is a historic year not only for Turcorns, but for the entire entrepreneurial ecosystem as a whole, Varank said, “We have set ourselves the target of producing at least 2023 Turcorns by 10 in our Industry and Technology Strategy. Considering the distance we have covered in such a short time, I frankly do not believe that this is a difficult goal to reach. I sincerely believe that Ankara TEKMER, which we have opened here today, will make very important contributions to our country on the way to this goal. Rest assured, this will be one of the most popular places in our entrepreneurial ecosystem in the coming period. Because this beautiful place is designed to produce solutions by considering the needs of cevval entrepreneurs.” used the phrases.
100 MILLION TL MUTUAL FUND
Emphasizing that LEAP Investment and its business people, who pioneered the establishment of the center, are ready to support the projects, Varank said, “A 100 million lira investment fund has already been created at the beginning of the work. In fact, I learned that they intend to increase this budget even more by including new resources. Investors are ready to meet the financing needs of entrepreneurs who will operate here. We have already witnessed many times what Turkish youth and Turkish entrepreneurs can achieve when given the opportunity in many subjects. Likewise, we trust Ankara TEKMER. It wouldn't be surprising to me if a Turcorn comes out of here." made its assessment.
Stating that investors and entrepreneurs are always with them and they will continue to be, Varank also explained the support of KOSGEB and Development Agency and invited investors to benefit from these supports.
BUDGET OVER 2.2 MILLION TL
Explaining that KOSGEB personally supports the incubation centers that lead the development of technology-based entrepreneurship with the renewed İŞGEM-TEKMER Program, Varank said, “We make very serious contributions to these places. We have comprehensive support in many items from personnel expenses to furnishing, machinery and equipment to training, consultancy and organization expenses. For example, we will transfer a budget of over 2,2 million liras to this center, all non-refundable. We have 11 more TEKMERs that we support within the scope of this program and that have started their activities recently.” said.
40 DIFFERENT INITIATIVES
Pointing out that innovative startups, which are seen as risky in the early stages, cannot sufficiently benefit from traditional banking methods and credit mechanisms, Varank explained that venture capital funds are of vital importance for the ecosystem. Noting that Tech-InvesTR comes first among these funds, Varank said, “Through this fund, we contribute to the funds that will invest in Turkey. To date, 40 different startups have received more than 300 million TL from the funds we support under the Tech-InvesTR Program.” used the phrases.
Crowdfunding
Reminding that they developed a support mechanism based on the crowdfunding system for the first time in Turkey through the Ankara Development Agency, Varank said that Ankara TEKMER should also be involved in the crowdfunding by cooperating with the Ankara Development Agency.
RECOMMENDED TO YOUTH
Recommending the young people to visit the website "www.yatirimadestek.gov.tr" for the most comprehensive and up-to-date information on supports, Varank said, "Dear young people, valuable entrepreneurs, as long as you come with your innovative ideas. We are with you at every stage of the process with all our means. We will continue to make your job easier, from training to finance, from mentor to office. Whenever you want, do not hesitate to knock on the doors of KOSGEB, TUBITAK, development agencies or apply directly to our Ministry. Our door is always open to you.” he said.
CALL TO ATTEND TEKNOFEST
Noting that the number of participants of TEKNOFEST, which they have been organizing since 2018, has increased exponentially every year, Minister Varank said, “This year, we will carry TEKNOFEST to the Black Sea and organize it in Samsun, where the torch of the National Struggle is ignited, but what makes us even more excited is on May 26-29. We will hold TEKNOFEST AZERBAIJAN in Baku. Thus, we will have taken the first step of our organization to become a global brand. Applications for TEKNOFEST AZERBAIJAN competitions continue until 17 February. It is possible to apply for some of the competitions from Turkey. On this occasion, I send greetings to Can Azerbaijan from here, and I invite both my Azerbaijani brothers and you to apply for the competitions.” he said.
SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION
KOSGEB President Hasan Basri Kurt stated that as an institution, they want to provide entrepreneurs with services such as pre-incubation, business development in the post-incubation processes, access to financial resources, management, consultancy, mentoring, participation in offices and networks, and stated that a very strong technology infrastructure has been formed in Turkey. expressed. Emphasizing that KOSGEB also has very important contributions in these processes, Kurt said that they want the private sector to take more responsibility in these works.
THERE ARE MANY ADVANTAGES
Ankara TEKMER Chairman of the Board Ali Yücelen stated that there are many advantages that entrepreneurs can benefit from in the center and stated that they offer legal consultancy, financial consultancy and financial support consultancy, especially international law, to the service of entrepreneurs free of charge.
After the speeches, Yücelen presented the Ministry of Industry and Technology logo, which was produced with a three-dimensional printer at the center, to Minister Varank.
After the ceremony, Varank toured the center with his electric scooter and visited the entrepreneurs and employees in the offices. Varank, who received information from the employees about the center and business issues, stated that as the Ministry, they are trying to support entrepreneurs with structures such as TEKMER.
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