An Inspiring Gathering for Young Entrepreneurs in Mersin: “Mersin Innovation Meetings”

The "Mersin Innovation Meetings," organized through a collaboration between the Mersin University Technology Transfer Office (MEÜ TTO) and the Mersin Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MTSO) EU Information Center, brought together young entrepreneurs, academics, and the investment community. As part of the event, an "Entrepreneurship Workshop" was held, where students had the opportunity to learn from experts about the processes spanning from initial ideas to technology development and entrepreneurship.

The two-day event, held at the Mersin Entrepreneurship Hub (Mersin Girişim Limanı) on October 13–14, 2026, featured an "Entrepreneurship Workshop" on its second day, organized by the MEÜ Project Development Society. The program, which drew significant interest from high school and university students studying in Mersin, explored in detail the processes by which an idea is transformed into a product and, subsequently, into commercial value.

Attendees included Prof. Dr. Caner Özdemir (MEÜ Dean of Research), Prof. Dr. Rükan Genç Altürk (Head of the Academic Unit at Mersin TTO), Abdi Kurt (TTO Coordinator), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Alper Günöz (Deputy Director of the MEÜ Young Entrepreneurship Application and Research Center), Dr. Eylül Ece Demir (Advisor to the Project Development Society), Ramazan Duman (Event Coordinator for the Mersin Innovation Meetings), Şule Üner (Coordinator of the Mersin Chamber of Commerce and Industry EU Information Center), Osman Kiper (Chair of the TOBB Mersin Provincial Young Entrepreneurs Council for the 2015–2023 term), as well as members of the MEÜ Project Development Society, students, and entrepreneurs. “Technology Transfer Offices Act as a Catalyst”

Delivering the opening remarks, Prof. Dr. Caner Özdemir, Dean of Research at Mersin University (MEÜ), highlighted the strategic role of Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs) within the ecosystem, stating: “Technology Transfer Offices act as a catalyst; they build a robust bridge between patents, licensing, and the industry. I hope this event, organized through the collaboration of MEÜ TTO and the Mersin Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MTSO), proves productive for all participants.”

An 11-Year Success Story in the Entrepreneurship Ecosystem

In his presentation titled “Mersin’s Potential for Entrepreneurship and Innovation,” Osman Kiper—who served as the Chair of the TOBB Mersin Provincial Young Entrepreneurs Council from 2015 to 2023—shared concrete data regarding the progress made over the past 11 years. Dr. Kiper noted that, during this period, they engaged with more than 10,000 aspiring entrepreneurs, provided over 1,000 hours of training, and organized more than 100 networking activities. Highlighting that they pioneered the “TOBB G3 High School Event”—a first in Turkey—Kiper emphasized that the projects carried out were recognized by the European Union in 2023 as “Turkey’s Best Project Related to Entrepreneurship.” Kiper stated: “The fact that projects developed through our process—projects we have supported—have achieved top rankings in Turkey and global recognition demonstrates the validity of the vision we have established. We have now taken this success story even further. Through our ‘Demoday 2026 Entrepreneur–Investor Meetup’—an event designed to connect innovative ideas with the right resources—we have brought our entrepreneurs together with key players from the investment world.”

Offering his perspective on the future of Mersin, Dr. Kiper remarked: “Our primary vision is for Mersin to become the hub for innovative production and value-added entrepreneurship in the Eastern Mediterranean. We must develop an entrepreneurial vision managed through a unified network with coordinated efforts. Technology should be integrated into priority sectors such as agriculture, tourism, and logistics, and large corporations should serve as the first customers for these entrepreneurs. Our criteria for success should no longer be the number of events held, but rather the investment secured, the number of patents obtained, and the economic value created.”

“From University to Enterprise: Transforming Knowledge into Value”

Following the presentation, a panel titled “From University to Enterprise: Transforming Knowledge into Value” was held, moderated by Prof. Dr. Rükan Genç, Head of the Academic Unit at the Mersin University Technology Transfer Office (MEÜ TTO). Discussing the commercialization of academic knowledge and the fundamentals of high-quality entrepreneurship, Prof. Dr. Rükan Genç Altürk emphasized that the ultimate output of knowledge generated by academics should not be limited solely to scientific publications. Genç Altürk stated: “As academics, the production of knowledge is undoubtedly our primary priority, and our first tangible output consists of scientific publications. However, I believe that academic output must be integrated into the industry, transformed into social benefit, and leveraged to create added value.”

“A Shared Vision Across All Disciplines: A Product- and Solution-Oriented Approach”

Emphasizing that an entrepreneurial vision should be adopted across all disciplines—transcending sectoral boundaries—Genç Altürk highlighted that for research conducted in any field, including logistics, agriculture, technology, and healthcare, the core guiding questions should be: “Can my initiative evolve into a tangible product?” and “Does it offer a solution to an existing problem?”

Prof. Dr. Caner Özdemir: “Technoparks should not be confined within four walls; their ecosystem vision must be extended throughout all of Turkey.”

In his presentation—which addressed University-Industry Collaboration and Technology Transfer—Prof. Dr. Caner Özdemir, Dean of Research at Mersin University (MEÜ), discussed how academic expertise...He shared his experience in developing radar software for the defense industry, as well as his insights from providing consultancy in the field, with the participants. Noting that he pursued both academic and industrial endeavors simultaneously throughout his own entrepreneurial journey, Prof. Dr. Özdemir offered strategic advice to young entrepreneurs: “Focus on the problem you wish to solve, rather than on a specific idea. Begin with small steps to foster collaboration, take advantage of high-quality mentorship, and build strong networks. In this regard, Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs) serve as highly competent mentors for entrepreneurs.”

Pointing to the challenges in the integration between academia and industry in Türkiye, Prof. Dr. Özdemir emphasized that technoparks must extend beyond their current physical boundaries, stating: “Technoparks should not be confined within four walls; their ecosystem vision must be expanded to encompass all of Turkey.”

Prof. Dr. Serdal Temel, a faculty member at Ege University, delivered a presentation titled “Innovation, Innovation Culture, and Technology Development Processes.” Emphasizing the vital importance of focusing on existing problems and possessing domain-specific expertise, Prof. Dr. Temel remarked: “The fundamental principle of entrepreneurship is to solve an existing problem. You must excel in your specific area of ​​expertise; otherwise, you cannot become a successful entrepreneur. An entrepreneur is not someone who knows everything, but rather someone who knows exactly whom to ask, what to ask, and how to ask it.” From Idea to Growth: Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Panel

The event featured a panel on the "Entrepreneurship Ecosystem," moderated by TTO Coordinator Abdi Kurt. During the session, Kurt delivered a presentation titled "From 'Turcorn' to Unicorn: The Growth Journey of Startups." He began by noting that the path to innovation "starts when a technological idea keeps you awake at night," and explained that the initial phase involves validating the idea, followed by other standard developmental steps.

Kurt provided an analysis of the world’s top five entrepreneurship ecosystems—San Francisco (Silicon Valley), New York, London, Los Angeles, and Paris—and evaluated Turkey’s own innovation and entrepreneurship landscape in light of these examples, highlighting key lessons and potential areas for inspiration. He also assessed the context of Mersin, analyzing its current situation and discussing the potential contributions and leadership role that Mersin University could offer in fostering a dynamic innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.

Erencan Bal, a representative for the European Innovation Council and European Innovation Ecosystems at TÜBİTAK (the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye), gave a presentation on "Innovation Opportunities within the European Union." He informed young entrepreneurs about EU funding opportunities available in Türkiye, as well as TEYDEB (Technology and Innovation Support Programs Directorate) calls and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). Additionally, Harun Karakoç, General Manager of APY TEKMER, delivered a presentation on the "Venture Capital Ecosystem." Karakoç stated, "The goal of investment firms is to buy time and accelerate the growth of a venture."

Entrepreneurs Share Their Stories: The Path from Idea to Business (Coffee Talk)

In the final segment of the event—a panel titled "COFFEE TALK – Entrepreneurs Share Their Stories: The Path from Idea to Business"—Burak Yaşasın (founder of Chitolastic), Canan Tiryaki (founder of VeggFoods), and Umut Oğur (founder of Reneryo) shared their experiences with young entrepreneurs.

Canan Tiryaki emphasized that when one stumbles on the entrepreneurial journey, it is essential to get back up and keep moving forward, advising entrepreneurs: "Advance step by step, keeping your dreams in sight."

Highlighting the importance of an entrepreneurial spirit, Umut Oğur noted that while ideas are valuable, learning how to articulate them effectively is a process that develops over time.

Burak Yaşasın, who began his entrepreneurial journey during his undergraduate years, remarked that, in time, the idea eventually finds the entrepreneur.

The "Mersin Innovation Meetings" event concluded with the presentation of certificates of appreciation.