Projects
Enterprise Europe Network
The Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) is the largest support network for SMEs with international ambitions. The Enterprise Europe Network helps entrepreneurs, research institutes, universities, and technology centers find partners worldwide for free. The network consists of over 2,000 experts working in 450 member organizations across more than 40 countries. Since 2008, the Enterprise Europe Network – Istanbul consortium, led by Sabancı University in partnership with the Istanbul Chamber of Industry and KOSGEB IMES, has been supporting you with practical knowledge and advice on innovation and internationalization. To register your company with the Enterprise Europe Network and for more detailed information, you can reach us at dpe.suatt@sabanciuniv.edu.
Enterprise Europe Network Istanbul
EIT Community RIS Hub Türkiye
The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) has launched the "EIT Community RIS Hub Turkey" to strengthen Turkey’s innovation ecosystem. Operating through its offices in Istanbul and Ankara, the hub will connect entrepreneurs, researchers, and innovative companies in Turkey with Europe’s largest innovation network. This hub, established by a consortium comprising Sabancı University, Fark Labs, and TÜBİTAK, aims to elevate Turkey’s potential in education, job creation, and innovation to an international level.
EIT Community RIS Hub Türkiye
Enterprise Europe Network to European Innovation Council
The EEN2EIC project, a sub-project of the Enterprise Europe Network, supports SMEs in their application processes for the EIC Accelerator program, which offers grant and investment opportunities funded by the European Union. Sabancı University, serving as the Consortium Innovation Leader for the EEN2EIC project, provides support to SMEs in Türkiye. For more information about the EIC Accelerator program and to receive free support during the application process, please contact us. Contact: Alara Ürey - alara.urey1@sabanciuniv.edu
EEN2EIC
EIT Urban Mobility RIS HUB Türkiye
The EIT Urban Mobility RIS Hub Türkiye (Regional Innovation Scheme Hub of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology in Urban Mobility) operates in collaboration with Sabancı University and Fark Labs to raise awareness in the field of urban mobility in Türkiye, share new urban mobility technologies, and connect local stakeholders with the international EIT Urban Mobility community. Through the hub, we offer opportunities such as mentorship, networking, access to knowledge and funding, and connections with EIT ecosystem partners. Established in 2021, the EIT Urban Mobility RIS Hub Türkiye works with a multidisciplinary approach to build a community that develops new ideas, methods, and systems in Turkey. We believe that making cities more livable requires the collaboration of all urban mobility stakeholders, including private companies, startups, universities, research institutions, municipalities, public institutions, and NGOs.
EIT Urban Mobility
DiMAP-Direct Digital Manufacturing Platform
The DIMAP project, led by Sabancı University, aims to establish a facility called the “Direct Digital Manufacturing Platform” within the Sabancı University Integrated Manufacturing Technologies Research and Application Center. This facility will enable SMEs and other stakeholders operating in the civil aviation, automotive, and composites sectors in Istanbul, Bursa, and Kocaeli to utilize direct digital manufacturing and additive manufacturing methods, as well as data-driven smart manufacturing technologies. The project also aims to conduct current situation analyses, capacity-building activities, and provide support for R&D, product development, and commercialization efforts targeted at the beneficiary groups. Project Partners: East Marmara Development Agency (MARKA), Istanbul Development Agency (İSTKA), Bursa Industrialists and Business People Association (BUSİAD), Composite Manufacturers Association, Kocaeli Chamber of Industry (KOSANO), Defense Aviation and Space Cluster Association (SAHA Istanbul), Technopark Istanbul
DIMAP ProjectCompleted Projects
BiGGMentor
The BiGGMentor Project, implemented under the BiGG+ program, has been successfully completed within the framework of TÜBİTAK’s "1601 Support Program for Increasing Capacity in the Fields of Innovation and Entrepreneurship." The project established a significant model to enhance SMEs’ business development and innovation capacities. During the project, mentoring services were provided to 30 SMEs, including activities such as innovation competency analysis, commercial maturity assessment, and patentability evaluations to foster corporate awareness. Additionally, training on sustainable growth strategies and initiatives supporting inter-institutional collaborations delivered high added value to SMEs. Mentors, selected from TÜBİTAK’s extensive expert pool, were matched with SMEs based on their specific needs. Centered in Istanbul and Kocaeli, the project utilized a mentoring mechanism delivered by sector professionals and academics, offering businesses expert support across a wide range of areas, from R&D to sales and marketing. The innovative process was built on the prior successes of the participating enterprises in TÜBİTAK TEYDEB programs. Lasting 21 months, the BiGGMentor Project played a crucial role in improving SMEs' business success and innovation skills. Its successful completion provides a roadmap for future programs in this field and offers new opportunities to strengthen the competitiveness of SMEs.
BiGGMentor Project
InnoTEAM
The InnoTEAM project, implemented in 2017-2018 through a collaboration between Sabancı University and the East Marmara Development Agency, was designed as a competition program to measure, evaluate, and enhance the innovation management skills of businesses in the provinces of Kocaeli, Sakarya, Düzce, Bolu, and Yalova. The project aimed to raise innovation awareness among businesses, encourage innovative enterprises, and improve their innovation processes. The program included a two-stage selection process, expert evaluations, mentoring services, and jury assessments, offering businesses in the region the opportunity to enhance their innovation capacities. InnoTEAM provided participating companies with expert feedback, development reports, and tangible progress in their innovation management skills.
InnoTEAM
INNOVIST
The INNOVIST (INcreasing the INNOVation Management Capacity of SMEs in ISTanbul) Project, implemented by Sabancı University and funded under the European Commission's Horizon 2020 program with Grant Agreement 879597, has been successfully completed. Designed for SMEs, which form the backbone of Turkey's economy, the project made a significant contribution to enabling them to manage their innovation activities more systematically and efficiently. Throughout the project, support was provided to numerous SMEs that needed to develop their knowledge and competencies in managing innovation processes systematically. Detailed analyses of current practices were conducted for businesses using methodologies aligned with the European Commission-approved CEN/TS 16555-1 Innovation Management Standard, such as AToMIC, IMP3rove, and smE-MPOWER. The results of these analyses were presented to businesses as guiding reports. Short- and medium-term roadmaps were designed based on each firm's priorities. Activities addressing areas for improvement were identified, and both internal and external stakeholders were defined to support the implementation of these activities. INNOVIST experts provided solutions to potential challenges during the execution of these roadmaps, ensuring the successful completion of the processes. The project's outcomes not only helped SMEs manage their innovation processes more effectively and efficiently but also enabled businesses to enhance their competitiveness and establish sustainable growth strategies.
INNOVIST Project