Atatürk University, through its technology development zone ATA Teknokent and in close collaboration with TÜBİTAK, provides substantial financial and structural support to young entrepreneurs and local community members who aim to establish socially and financially sustainable businesses. The most prominent initiative in this regard is the BiGG ATA (Individual Young Entrepreneur) Program, which enables aspiring entrepreneurs to receive up to 900,000 TL in direct financial support to start and grow their companies. This program not only provides seed funding but also ensures that beneficiaries receive the knowledge and tools to build resilient enterprises that will positively impact both the local and national economy (source).
Comprehensive Financial and Structural Support
The BiGG ATA program is designed as a holistic support mechanism. In addition to direct financial grants of up to 900,000 TL, the program offers project-writing guidance, business plan mentoring, and financial sustainability consultancy, all coordinated through ATA Teknokent’s Technology Transfer Office (TTO). These services ensure that young entrepreneurs are not only funded but are also prepared to design, implement, and sustain long-term business strategies (source).
Campus-Level Engagement and Outreach
In 2024, ATA Teknokent carried out intensive on-campus promotional activities to introduce the BiGG ATA program to Atatürk University students, researchers, and young innovators. Stands were opened in the central areas of the university, where Teknokent staff provided detailed information about the program, application processes, and available financial opportunities. These outreach efforts ensured that students from different faculties, especially engineering, agriculture, and health sciences, were fully informed and encouraged to take part in entrepreneurial activities (source).
Strategic Integration with National Innovation Policy
The financial support system of ATA Teknokent is embedded in the broader national innovation and entrepreneurship policy framework led by TÜBİTAK. By aligning with the BiGG (Individual Young Entrepreneur) initiative at the national level, Atatürk University ensures that its local programs contribute to Turkey’s strategic priorities in fostering innovation-driven economic growth. This means that every young entrepreneur supported at the local level through ATA Teknokent is simultaneously part of a larger ecosystem of innovation, connecting Erzurum’s entrepreneurial potential with national and international markets (source).
Beyond Funding: Knowledge, Mentoring, and Sustainability
What makes Atatürk University’s contribution unique is the integration of financial aid with educational and mentoring support. Each BiGG ATA beneficiary is matched with mentors who provide continuous feedback on business models, market strategies, and financial planning. Moreover, ATA Teknokent organizes regular workshops and seminars on financial literacy, sustainability in business models, and project development. In this way, the university ensures that the financial resources allocated do not become one-time subsidies but translate into long-term, self-sustaining businesses (source).
Impact on Local and Regional Economy
The program has already resulted in the establishment of numerous startups in Erzurum and the Eastern Anatolia Region. These startups operate across sectors such as agritech, health technologies, renewable energy, and digital solutions, all of which directly contribute to the sustainable development of the region. In this sense, the university not only provides financial aid but also acts as a catalyst for employment generation, knowledge transfer, and innovation culture in the local community. By lowering the financial barriers for young people, Atatürk University plays a crucial role in preventing the outmigration of talent from Erzurum to larger metropolitan centers, thus fostering local resilience (source).
Long-Term Commitment and Vision
The combination of direct financial support (up to 900,000 TL per project), project-writing mentorship, and sustainability-focused consulting illustrates Atatürk University’s long-term vision of building a self-reliant entrepreneurial ecosystem. This ecosystem is not limited to campus boundaries but reaches the wider Erzurum region, empowering local youth and SMEs to design innovative solutions for pressing social and economic challenges.
