Organized by the KTU Technology Transfer Application and Research Center, the "16th International Project Market on Turning Thoughts into Reality " was held between 21 - 23 November 2023 with great enthusiasm and effort every year.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the event, KTU Rector Prof. Dr. Hamdullah ÇUVALCI emphasized the presence of prominent businessmen and leaders who have now become role models in today's Türkiye. He pointed out that the obstacles that young engineers faced in the past no longer exist, and they can now come to strong positions in an open entrepreneurial ecosystem.

During the opening ceremony, Prof. Dr. Oktay YILDIZ, the Director of the KTU Technology Transfer Application and Research Center(TTO), highlighted the necessity of blending the culture of entrepreneurship with industrial collaboration. He congratulated the TTO Team for their dedication to this purpose and wished all the exhibited projects success in their future entrepreneurship journeys.

Thanks to the consistent organization held every year, our university has attracted 130,000 ₺ in funding to our region through the TÜBİTAK 1503 Project Markets Support Program, contributing to entrepreneurial activity.

Projects from approximately 80 innovative and entrepreneurial business ideas in different categories, developed within the framework of the UN Sustainable Development Goals priorities, were exhibited. These projects received support from our strong collaborators in the region, including the Eastern Black Sea Development Agency, Trabzon Commodity Exchange, MEKAP Leather and Footwear, Eastern Black Sea Exporters Association, Kral Pestil KÖME, Trabzon Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and TEOL Language Schools, with their contributions to Trabzon.

The event opened for international applications, attracting projects from different countries to our region. The event brought together students, academics, industry professionals, and local media to create a platform for project presentations. A total of 140 project applications were received, covering academic, student, and entrepreneurial categories, and after the pre-evaluation processes, 80 innovative projects were assessed by independent judges consisting of various institutional representatives. The event not only involved the university but also engaged institutions that have made significant contributions to the development of entrepreneurship, innovation, industrial collaboration, and project culture in our region. The reviewers for the event included representatives from institutions, such as the Eastern Black Sea Exporters Association, Trabzon Commodity Exchange, Arsin Organized Industrial Zone, Beşikdüzü Organized Industrial Zone, Şinik Organized Industrial Zone, KOSGEB Trabzon, Trabzon University, Gümüşhane University, Giresun University, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University, Artvin Çoruh University, Trabzon Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Eastern Black Sea Development Agency, Trabzon Metropolitan Municipality, Trabzon Science, Industry and Technology Trabzon Provincial Directorate, and YEDAŞ.

The longstanding 16-year organization has the following ideologies:

1. Revealing the R&D and innovation-focused potential of the region,
2. Including business ideas in appropriate accelerator programs, and
3. Introducing an innovation culture to the region by attracting investments from industrialists to business ideas,

Projects competing in the categories of 'Academician' and 'Student/Graduate/Entrepreneur' were awarded during the closing and award ceremony on the third day of the event. A total of 90,000 ₺ in cash prizes and honorable mention awards were presented to the winners.

 

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