Financial and Structural Support for Local Communities to Establish Sustainable Enterprises

Atatürk University | SDG 1 – No Poverty | Indicator 1.4.2 | Reporting Year: 2025

1. Institutional Commitment

Atatürk University supports local entrepreneurs and community members seeking to establish financially and socially sustainable enterprises through ATA Teknokent, its Technology Transfer Office (ATA TTO), and partnerships with national innovation and business development organisations.

The University’s entrepreneurship support framework combines access to start-up investment opportunities, structured training, business planning assistance, mentoring, incubation facilities, technology transfer services and guidance on public funding programmes.

These mechanisms are intended to reduce the financial and practical barriers faced by aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly those seeking to transform innovative ideas into commercially viable businesses.

During 2025, Atatürk University contributed to the regional entrepreneurial ecosystem through the Kristal BiGG entrepreneurship programme, KOSGEB funding information activities, Horizon Europe project development training and ongoing business incubation services.

These initiatives provide pathways for entrepreneurs in Erzurum and the wider Eastern Anatolia region to access resources that may otherwise be difficult to obtain independently.

2. Kristal BiGG: Investment Opportunities for New Entrepreneurs

TÜBİTAK 1812 Investment-Based Entrepreneurship Support Programme

One of the University’s principal mechanisms for facilitating access to start-up finance is its participation in the TÜBİTAK BiGG entrepreneurship ecosystem.

Under the 1812 Investment-Based Entrepreneurship Support Programme, eligible entrepreneurs receive structured support to develop technology- and innovation-oriented business ideas into investment-ready enterprises.

The programme provides access to pre-seed investment through the TÜBİTAK BiGG Fund.

For the 2025 calls, successful applicants could receive TRY 900,000 in investment in exchange for a 3% equity stake, subject to the programme’s evaluation and contractual requirements.

This mechanism differs from a conventional grant: the investment is made in exchange for company ownership, and funding is awarded only to applicants who successfully complete the relevant assessment stages.

The programme is intended to encourage the establishment of technology-based enterprises capable of developing innovative products, creating added value and generating qualified employment.

Official evidence:

TÜBİTAK – 1812 Investment-Based Entrepreneurship Support Programme

TÜBİTAK – 2025/1 Official Call Document

3. Documented 2025 Entrepreneurship Training: 44 Business Ideas Supported

Kristal BiGG Programme – February 2025

A significant example of Atatürk University’s contribution to local entrepreneurial development was documented in February 2025.

The Kristal BiGG Programme was implemented through a partnership involving:

• Erzurum Technical University and its Kristal Entrepreneurship Centre.
• ATA Teknokent, associated with Atatürk University.
• Sistem Global Danışmanlık.

During the programme’s first 2025 application period, preliminary applications were evaluated and 44 eligible business ideas were selected to receive structured entrepreneurship training.

The training was designed to help participants develop innovative business concepts and prepare for subsequent stages of the TÜBİTAK investment process.

Through its involvement in this consortium, ATA Teknokent contributed institutional entrepreneurship expertise and support infrastructure to a regional initiative connecting prospective founders with national start-up investment opportunities.

The 44 business ideas represent the documented training cohort, not 44 businesses that had already received investment.

Evidence:

Kristal BiGG – Entrepreneurship Training for 44 Business Ideas, 5 February 2025

4. Financial Support Pathway: From Business Idea to Investment

The TÜBİTAK BiGG framework provides a structured route through which prospective entrepreneurs can progress from an initial business idea to potential investment.

The process includes several stages:

Stage 1 – Business Idea Development

Applicants develop technology- or innovation-based business concepts and participate in an acceleration or entrepreneurship development programme.

Stage 2 – Training and Business Planning

Entrepreneurs receive guidance in preparing business models, evaluating commercial feasibility and developing investment-ready business plans.

Stage 3 – National Evaluation

Eligible business plans are submitted for evaluation under the TÜBİTAK programme.

Stage 4 – Investment

Applicants who meet the relevant requirements and receive a positive investment decision may establish their companies and obtain investment through the TÜBİTAK BiGG Fund.

Stage 5 – Business Development

Funded enterprises undertake their approved projects under the applicable monitoring and reporting requirements.

This framework links entrepreneurship training to a defined national investment mechanism rather than limiting assistance to general awareness-raising activities.

ATA Teknokent’s participation helps connect local entrepreneurs with this structured funding pathway.

Official evidence: TÜBİTAK BiGG Programme

5. Financial Assistance Through KOSGEB Support Programmes

KOSGEB Capacity Development Support Programme Information Session – February 2025

On 5 February 2025, ATA Teknokent announced an information activity introducing the KOSGEB Capacity Development Support Programme to companies operating within the technology development zone.

The activity helped businesses learn about available public financing mechanisms and programme requirements.

For small and medium-sized enterprises, identifying appropriate funding opportunities is an important part of financial planning and business expansion.

The information session supported companies’ ability to assess whether KOSGEB assistance could contribute to their development plans.

This initiative demonstrates the University’s role in facilitating access to external financial resources, even where the funding itself is provided by a national public agency rather than directly by Atatürk University.

Evidence: ATA Teknokent – February 2025 KOSGEB Information Activity

6. International Project Funding and Financial Sustainability

Horizon Europe Project Development Workshop – 17 January 2025

On 17 January 2025, ATA Teknokent organised a workshop concerning Horizon Europe projects for Technology Transfer Office specialists and firms operating in the region.

The activity introduced participants to international research and innovation funding opportunities and supported their understanding of project preparation processes.

Horizon Europe offers competitive funding opportunities for eligible research and innovation activities, including collaborative projects involving enterprises and research institutions.

By providing relevant training and information, ATA Teknokent helped local businesses develop the knowledge needed to explore international funding sources.

These services complement domestic investment and business development programmes by broadening the range of potential financial opportunities available to regional enterprises.

Evidence: ATA Teknokent – Horizon Europe Workshop, 17 January 2025

7. ATA Entrepreneur Development Programme: Institutional Support Beyond Funding

Atatürk University’s entrepreneurship support framework also includes the established ATA Entrepreneur Development Programme.

The programme was designed to provide entrepreneurs with a combination of financial and structural support.

Its publicly described services include:

• Start-up capital and investment-related cooperation arrangements.
• Mentoring and entrepreneurial guidance.
• Assistance with national and international project applications.
• Technology and intellectual property support.
• Business networking and market positioning.
• Access to incubation facilities and office infrastructure.
• Participation in entrepreneurship training and development activities.

A documented example involved an agreement between ATA Teknokent and the technology company 42-X, using an investment and revenue-sharing cooperation model.

This provides evidence of an institutional mechanism through which the technopark can support entrepreneurs beyond simply directing them to external grant programmes.

The programme predates 2025 and is included as evidence of ATA Teknokent’s established entrepreneurship support infrastructure, rather than as a newly launched initiative in the reporting year.

Evidence:

ATA Entrepreneur Development Programme – Institutional Support and Investment Model

8. Mentoring, Business Planning and Commercialisation Support

Financial investment alone does not guarantee the viability of a new enterprise.

Atatürk University’s entrepreneurship support approach therefore combines investment opportunities with business development services.

Through ATA Teknokent and ATA TTO, entrepreneurs can access expertise relevant to project preparation, innovation management, commercialisation and intellectual property.

The Kristal BiGG training programme provides a documented 2025 example of the preparation stage of this support model.

ATA Teknokent’s established development programme also identifies mentoring, business networking and incubation facilities as available forms of assistance.

Together, these services help aspiring entrepreneurs assess business opportunities, develop commercial strategies and prepare for the requirements of formal investment programmes.

9. Encouraging Environmentally and Socially Sustainable Enterprises

The national BiGG investment programme supports technology-based entrepreneurship across several thematic fields, including:

• Energy and clean technologies.
• Sustainable agriculture and nutrition.
• Health and wellbeing.
• Smart production systems.
• Digital transformation.
• Smart transportation.

These fields provide opportunities for entrepreneurs to develop businesses that address economic, environmental and social needs.

At the regional level, ATA Teknokent also supports firms working on resource efficiency and technological innovation.

A documented 2025 example is the KUDAKA-supported project developed by Maali Çelik AR-GE, entitled Automation and Recycling Integration for Efficient Production.

Announced on 10 December 2025, this project demonstrates how a firm within the ATA Teknokent ecosystem secured external support for an initiative involving production efficiency and recycling.

Although this project was not identified as a BiGG investment, it illustrates the broader regional financial support ecosystem in which ATA Teknokent operates.

Evidence:

Maali Çelik AR-GE – KUDAKA Project Support, 10 December 2025

10. Institutional and Regional Partnerships

Atatürk University contributes to entrepreneurship development through cooperation with public agencies, universities and regional business organisations.

Its partnerships include:

These partnerships connect aspiring entrepreneurs with complementary forms of assistance, including technical knowledge, structured training, potential investment and regional business networks.

The University’s participation in the Kristal BiGG consortium provides a specific example of this cooperation operating during 2025.

11. Documented Financial and Structural Support in 2025

The table distinguishes potential funding, training participation and documented external project support. It does not assume that all trainees or applicants received financial investment.

12. Contribution to Local Economic Sustainability

Atatürk University’s entrepreneurship support activities contribute to the regional economy through several mechanisms.

Reducing entry barriers: Entrepreneurship training, mentoring and incubation support can lower the practical costs of developing a new business.

Improving access to capital: Participation in BiGG and information on KOSGEB and other funding programmes connect local entrepreneurs with formal financial support opportunities.

Strengthening business capacity: Business planning, technology transfer and commercialisation guidance can improve the readiness of start-ups to develop viable products and services.

Supporting regional innovation: Cooperation between universities, public agencies and local firms strengthens the entrepreneurial environment in Erzurum and Eastern Anatolia.

Promoting sustainable production: Funding opportunities and innovation support can facilitate projects addressing resource efficiency, clean technologies and other sustainability challenges.

These contributions demonstrate the University’s role in developing the conditions necessary for financially and socially sustainable local enterprises.

Conclusion

Atatürk University provides an established framework of financial and structural support for local entrepreneurs through ATA Teknokent, ATA TTO and institutional partnerships.

In 2025, the University’s involvement in the Kristal BiGG Programme helped provide entrepreneurship training to 44 selected business ideas, connecting prospective founders with the national TÜBİTAK investment pathway.

The TÜBİTAK BiGG 2025 programme offered TRY 900,000 in potential pre-seed investment in exchange for a 3% equity stake, subject to successful evaluation.

Additional activities, including KOSGEB financial support information, Horizon Europe project development training and ATA Teknokent’s established mentoring and incubation services, strengthened the range of resources available to local businesses.

Together, these measures demonstrate Atatürk University’s contribution to SDG 1 – No Poverty, Indicator 1.4.2, by facilitating access to financial opportunities, entrepreneurship expertise and institutional resources for the establishment and development of sustainable enterprises.