Cooperation between TÜBİTAK and YASED

"TÜBİTAK and the International Investors Association (YASED) signed a protocol that will institutionalize their cooperation. With this agreement, collaborations to strengthen the position of YASED member companies in the National Innovation Ecosystem will be diversified and existing supports will be used more effectively. Participation in projects and programs that support the entrepreneurial ecosystem, such as YASED's Deep Tech Enhancer Project to support deep tech startups and TÜBİTAK's Individual Young Initiative (BIGG) and Tech-InvesTR Venture Capital Support Program, will be increased. Efforts will be made to provide mentoring and expert support for SMEs. YASED member organizations will be directed to conduct pioneering research.

The cooperation framework protocol between TÜBİTAK and YASED was signed by TÜBİTAK President Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal and YASED President Engin Aksoy.

"Together, we think we can reach the goals our government expects from us faster"

Speaking at the event, Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal, President of TÜBİTAK, noted that TÜBİTAK is an institution that has been funding and supporting the science, technology and innovation ecosystem for 60 years and said, "In the process of realizing the goals in Türkiye's 12th Development Plan, we need close cooperation between us as TÜBİTAK and stakeholders like you in the sector. Together with YASED, we believe that we will be able to reach the targets that our government expects from us faster."

Stating that cooperation opportunities should be developed in order to maximize Türkiye's potential in technological transformation and innovation, Mandal said: "The main vision document of the 12th Development Plan focuses on environmentally sensitive, disaster-resistant and high value-added products. In order to achieve a prosperous and prosperous Türkiye, we will act in this direction and reach our targets with value-added products. We have the potential to reach common goals together with YASED in many aspects."

It will be possible for our support models to be reviewed, revised or new topics and new calls to be opened based on your feedback," Mandal said, adding, "Currently, the main priority areas of our institution are green and digital transformation. In this sense, we offer opportunities to consolidate partnerships with national funding mechanisms, international mechanisms such as the Horizon Europe Program, and our support mechanisms within the scope of the World Bank fund."

 "A new business model and cooperation model"

Underlining that there is an expectation for our organizations to benefit from more international funds, Mandal said, "The most important point of need for this is for organizations to improve their competence, skills and communication in order to access these funds. Within the scope of the World Bank Green Industry Project, we are actually proposing a new model. We will now be implementing a model in which we will provide reimbursable support at very reasonable rates in the dimension of turning research results into products. It is a new business model and cooperation model for us as well."

Prof. Dr. Mandal said, "In our opinion, our program, which supports the Pre-R&D Laboratories established to carry out basic research and applied research activities, is an important program that needs to increase awareness much more. With this program, we expect the technologies of the future to be studied today. In this regard, we think that YASED member organizations are a great target group." and informed that the application criteria of the Pioneer R&D Laboratories Support Program have been revised and updated in a way that R&D-oriented companies can apply.

Emphasizing the importance of developing the entrepreneurship ecosystem, Mandal said, "I think that the incentives offered in our country constitute an important opportunity area in terms of the development of human resource quality and capacity, and that you can create your own ecosystem in the future, especially with the rapid change, transformation and acceleration in the entrepreneurship ecosystem."

"TÜBİTAK has the potential and responsibility to work together with its stakeholders. In this respect, we see YASED as a good partner," Mandal said, calling for YASED member organizations to take part in TÜBİTAK's strategic support programs.

"We are confident that the protocol will bring great benefits"

Engin Aksoy, President of YASED, said, "We are confident that this protocol, which will reinforce our close relations with TÜBİTAK, will bring great benefits both to us as institutions and to our investors."

"As YASED, we will increase our participation in projects and programs that support the entrepreneurial ecosystem, such as the Deep Tech Enhancer Project, which we run to support deep tech startups, and TÜBİTAK's Tech-InvesTR Venture Capital Support Program. We will also make efforts to provide mentoring and expert support for SMEs. We will continue to share our announcements regarding TÜBİTAK/TEYDEB support mechanisms with you. We will establish working groups to form opinions and suggestions for the development of calls and support programs. We will form project consortiums together."

Engin Aksoy, President of YASED, stated that when we look at the largest technology development companies in the world, it is seen that the most common feature of these brands in maintaining their operations successfully is the large financial resources they allocate to R&D investments and choosing the countries where they can carry out their R&D activities in the most efficient way:

"It is pleasing to see that Türkiye is increasing its activities in the use, production and transfer of new technologies in parallel with global trends such as digitalization, internet of things, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, smart transportation, electrification, autonomous driving, renewable energies, e-commerce. For more qualified International Direct Investment (FDI), digital transformation and the development of the technology and innovation ecosystem are of great importance. At this point, TÜBİTAK and TEYDEB supports play a major role in the development of our country's R&D ecosystem. Our members benefit from these TÜBİTAK supports and the programs of the Ministry of Industry and Technology, especially the Hamle Program, as much as possible. Incentive programs developed in these areas are very important, especially in terms of ensuring green and digital transformation, which we call twin transformation, and making our industry more competitive and value-added."

YASED aims to increase the productivity of international companies in Türkiye and the country's investment attractiveness by contributing to the improvement of the investment climate. To this end, YASED develops strategies and solutions to increase Türkiye's global competitiveness in international direct investments.

This cooperation between YASED and TÜBİTAK aims to support Türkiye's growth based on science and technology and contribute to the country becoming a stronger player in the international arena. Both parties aim to shed light on Türkiye’s future by developing cooperation in the field of scientific knowledge and technology.