Atatürk University | SDG 1 – No Poverty | Indicator 1.4.1 | Reporting Year: 2025
Institutional Commitment
Atatürk University supports the development of financially and socially sustainable local businesses through ATA Teknokent, its technology development zone, and the associated Technology Transfer Office (ATA TTO).
The University’s approach extends beyond academic research to provide entrepreneurs, start-ups and established businesses in Erzurum and the wider Eastern Anatolia region with access to knowledge, specialist training, mentoring, research expertise, business networks and information on financial support programmes.
These activities are intended to strengthen the capacity of local enterprises to develop innovative products, manage resources effectively, access funding opportunities and establish commercially viable business models.
During 2025, ATA Teknokent continued delivering practical support through business development training, research funding workshops, financial programme information, international networking and direct university–industry engagement.
Institutional platform: ATA Teknokent
1. Financial Sustainability and Access to Business Funding
KOSGEB Capacity Development Support Programme – 6 February 2025
On 6 February 2025, ATA Teknokent organised an information session introducing the KOSGEB Capacity Development Support Programme to companies operating within the technology development zone.
The activity focused on improving firms’ awareness of public business support mechanisms designed to strengthen enterprise capacity.
Access to information about appropriate funding programmes is particularly important for small and medium-sized enterprises, which may face financial constraints when expanding production, developing new technologies or entering new markets.
By communicating these opportunities directly to resident companies, ATA Teknokent helped businesses identify external resources relevant to their growth and long-term financial sustainability.
Evidence: ATA Teknokent – 2025 News and Activities
Financial Management and Business Administration Training
ATA Teknokent’s established training programme also includes practical instruction on financial applications and administrative procedures relevant to technology-based companies.
A previously documented financial applications training session introduced participating firms to important financial and regulatory processes.
These activities help businesses understand administrative obligations, strengthen financial management practices and reduce operational risks.
Although the earlier training predates 2025, it demonstrates the continuity of ATA Teknokent’s business support framework.
Evidence: ATA Teknokent – Financial Applications Training
2. Horizon Europe Funding and Project Development Training
Horizon Europe Projects Workshop – 17 January 2025
On 17 January 2025, ATA Teknokent organised a Horizon Europe project workshop for Technology Transfer Office specialists and businesses operating in the region.
The training addressed opportunities associated with European research and innovation programmes and supported participants in developing their understanding of international project funding.
Such training is relevant to local business sustainability because it helps enterprises strengthen their capacity to prepare research proposals, participate in collaborative innovation activities and explore competitive funding opportunities.
The workshop also connected regional firms with university-based technology transfer expertise.
This activity demonstrates direct knowledge transfer from the University’s innovation infrastructure to the local business community.
Evidence: ATA Teknokent – 2025 Activity Announcements
3. Internationalisation and Enterprise Europe Network Activities
COSME Türkiye and Enterprise Europe Network Training – 21 May 2025
On 21 May 2025, ATA Teknokent participated in a training activity associated with COSME Türkiye and the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN).
The Enterprise Europe Network supports SMEs in developing international business relationships, accessing innovation-related expertise and identifying potential cooperation opportunities.
Participation in this training strengthened ATA Teknokent’s institutional knowledge of services that can help regional companies explore international markets and business partnerships.
For local enterprises, access to international networks can contribute to market diversification, innovation capacity and long-term business resilience.
Evidence: ATA Teknokent – 2025 News
European Enterprise Network Consortium Conference – 3 July 2025
ATA Teknokent also participated in the Enterprise Europe Network consortium conference on 3 July 2025.
This engagement supported institutional networking and knowledge exchange concerning business development and international cooperation.
Such activities help strengthen the regional innovation support ecosystem through connections with wider enterprise assistance networks.
Evidence: ATA Teknokent – 2025 News and Activities
4. Direct Information and Guidance for Technology-Based Firms
ATA Teknokent Company Information Meeting – 8 July 2025
On 8 July 2025, ATA Teknokent organised an information meeting for companies operating within the technology development zone.
This activity provided an institutional forum for communication between the technopark administration and resident firms.
Regular information meetings help companies remain informed about relevant administrative procedures, support mechanisms and institutional services.
They also create opportunities for businesses to raise operational questions and engage with the technopark’s support infrastructure.
The meeting illustrates ATA Teknokent’s continuing relationship with enterprises after their initial establishment or admission to the technology development zone.
Evidence: ATA Teknokent – 2025 Company Information Meeting
5. Mentoring, Incubation and Entrepreneurial Development
ATA Teknokent maintains an entrepreneurship support framework designed to assist businesses during their establishment and development.
Its previously documented ATA Entrepreneur Development Programme includes support areas such as:
- Mentoring and entrepreneurial guidance.
- Access to incubation facilities and office infrastructure.
- Assistance with national and international project applications.
- Intellectual property and commercialisation processes.
- Business networking and market positioning.
- Preparation of technology reports and engagement with potential investors.
The programme’s published example of a cooperation agreement with an emerging technology company demonstrates how the technopark can connect early-stage businesses with structured institutional assistance.
ATA Teknokent has also undertaken mentor–mentee matching activities in cooperation with other technology parks, including Kocaeli University Technopark.
These established mechanisms complement the 2025 business development and funding-related activities.
Evidence:
ATA Entrepreneur Development Programme
Mentor–Mentee Matching Programme
6. University–Industry Knowledge Transfer
Atatürk University connects academic expertise with the technological and operational needs of local enterprises.
ATA Teknokent and ATA TTO provide an institutional environment through which businesses can engage with university researchers and explore opportunities for applied research, technological development and innovation.
A previously documented collaboration involving ARGEKİP Bilişim and academics from the Faculty of Agriculture illustrates this model.
The activity brought together technology company representatives and academic specialists in field crops, creating opportunities to discuss research applications and sector-specific technological needs.
Such university–industry interactions are relevant to business sustainability because they allow enterprises to draw upon specialist knowledge that may otherwise be difficult or expensive to access.
Evidence: ARGEKİP Bilişim – Faculty of Agriculture Collaboration
7. Supporting Resource Efficiency and Environmentally Sustainable Production
Maali Çelik AR-GE Project – 10 December 2025
A particularly relevant example of business sustainability emerged in December 2025.
On 10 December 2025, ATA Teknokent announced that Maali Çelik AR-GE had secured support from the Northeast Anatolia Development Agency (KUDAKA) for its project entitled:
“Automation and Recycling Integration for Efficient Production.”
The project focuses on integrating automation and recycling into production processes.
Its objectives are directly relevant to resource efficiency, operational improvement and environmentally responsible industrial development.
The project demonstrates how an enterprise operating within the ATA Teknokent ecosystem can pursue innovation that combines commercial development with environmental sustainability.
The KUDAKA support is an externally awarded project funding outcome and should be distinguished from financial assistance directly provided by Atatürk University.
Evidence: Maali Çelik AR-GE – KUDAKA Support for Automation and Recycling Integration
8. Cooperation with Local Chambers of Commerce and Entrepreneurial Organisations
Atatürk University, through ATA Teknokent, maintains established relationships with the Erzurum Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ETSO) and local entrepreneurship organisations.
Its cooperation framework includes the TOBB Erzurum Young Entrepreneurs Board and the TOBB Erzurum Women Entrepreneurs Board.
Previously documented cooperation protocols established a basis for entrepreneurship education and activities involving local business representatives.
Training sessions conducted under these agreements connected the University’s entrepreneurship support infrastructure with regional business networks.
These partnerships extend the reach of university-based support beyond the technology development zone and create opportunities for local entrepreneurs to access knowledge and professional networks.
Evidence:
ATA Teknokent–ETSO–TOBB Cooperation Protocol
Entrepreneurship Training under the Cooperation Protocol
Continued University–Business Engagement in December 2025
On 18 December 2025, representatives of the TOBB Erzurum Young Entrepreneurs Board, the Women Entrepreneurs Board and ATA Teknokent met with Atatürk University’s Technical Sciences Vocational School.
Discussions addressed internship opportunities, graduate employment, university–industry cooperation and potential joint workshops.
This meeting demonstrates the continuation of institutional dialogue between the University and regional business representatives during 2025.
Evidence: Atatürk University – Entrepreneurship and Employment Cooperation Meeting, 18 December 2025
9. Public–University–Industry Cooperation and Local Business Engagement
Business Visits in Erzurum – 26 December 2025
On 26 December 2025, ATA Teknokent reported business visits conducted in Erzurum within the framework of public–university–industry cooperation.
These visits represent direct engagement with local enterprises and reinforce communication between the University’s innovation ecosystem and the regional business community.
Business visits provide opportunities to identify company needs, discuss potential cooperation and explore the application of academic expertise to practical industrial challenges.
They also complement formal training programmes by allowing engagement with businesses in their operational environments.
Evidence: ATA Teknokent – Public–University–Industry Business Visits in Erzurum
10. Summary of Documented 2025 Activities
| Date | Activity | Business Sustainability Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| 6 January 2025 | ATA TTO information meeting with technopark firms | Access to university support and technology transfer services |
| 17 January 2025 | Horizon Europe project workshop | Research funding knowledge and project development |
| 6 February 2025 | KOSGEB Capacity Development Support Programme briefing | Awareness of business financing and growth support |
| 21 May 2025 | COSME Türkiye / Enterprise Europe Network training | International networking and SME support expertise |
| 3 July 2025 | Enterprise Europe Network consortium conference | International business cooperation networks |
| 8 July 2025 | Information meeting for ATA Teknokent companies | Continuing business guidance and institutional communication |
| 10 December 2025 | KUDAKA support for Maali Çelik AR-GE’s automation and recycling project | Resource efficiency, innovation and sustainable production |
| 18 December 2025 | University–business entrepreneurship and employment meeting | Regional entrepreneurship and university–industry cooperation |
| 26 December 2025 | Public–university–industry business visits | Direct engagement with local enterprise needs |
Primary activity archive: ATA Teknokent – Official News and Announcements
11. Contribution to Financial and Social Sustainability
Atatürk University’s support for local businesses addresses several interconnected dimensions of sustainability.
Financial sustainability: Information about KOSGEB programmes, Horizon Europe funding and financial administration can help enterprises identify resources and improve their capacity to manage growth.
Business continuity: Mentoring, incubation and technology transfer services provide entrepreneurs with institutional support as they develop products, business models and research projects.
Environmental sustainability: Innovation activities such as the Maali Çelik AR-GE automation and recycling project illustrate opportunities to improve resource efficiency in industrial production.
Social and regional sustainability: Cooperation with ETSO, local entrepreneurship boards and educational institutions strengthens relationships between businesses, universities and the wider community.
These activities demonstrate the University’s contribution to a regional business support ecosystem that addresses both economic development and broader social needs.
Conclusion
Atatürk University provides ongoing support for financially and socially sustainable local businesses through ATA Teknokent, ATA TTO and regional partnerships.
During 2025, the University-supported innovation ecosystem delivered or participated in activities concerning SME funding, Horizon Europe project development, international business networking, company information services and university–industry cooperation.
The University’s engagement with regional enterprises was further demonstrated through public–university–industry business visits and the announcement of external funding for an automation and recycling project undertaken by an ATA Teknokent company.
Together with established mentoring, incubation and entrepreneurship education mechanisms, these activities show how Atatürk University makes knowledge, institutional resources and professional networks available to local entrepreneurs and businesses.
This continuing support contributes to SDG 1 – No Poverty, Indicator 1.4.1, by strengthening the conditions for financially viable, innovative and socially sustainable enterprise development in Erzurum and Eastern Anatolia.
