TIW24: Türkiye's Entrepreneurs, InovaTİM, and InovaLİG Awards Ceremonies Held
The 11th edition of Türkiye Innovation Week 2024, hosted by the Türkiye Exporters Assembly, was held at the Haliç Congress Center under the theme "Out of the Box: Human, Culture, Model." On the final day of the event, Türkiye's Entrepreneurs Awards, the InovaTİM Innovation Competition, and the InovaLİG Champions Awards Ceremonies took place, with top-performing companies receiving their awards.
Turkey Innovation Week, organized for the 11th time this year with the support of the Ministry of Trade and hosted by the Türkiye Exporters Assembly, witnessed an award ceremony on its third and final day.
The event's main strategic partner was Trendyol, with additional strategic partners including Türk Ekonomi Bankası (TEB), Turkcell, Ziraat Bankası, VakıfBank, Halkbank, Türkiye Sigorta, İhracatı Geliştirme A.Ş. (İGE), Türkiye Teknoloji Fonu (TTF), and Hayat Holding. The closing ceremony was attended by Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz, along with six ministers.
TİM Chairman Mustafa Gültepe, in his speech, highlighted the various dimensions of innovation explored over the past two days and noted the vibrant range of activities. “We witnessed a full program, not only on the main stage but also across other event areas, thoroughly addressing innovation in all its aspects,” he said. Gültepe recalled that Türkiye had advanced from 74th to 37th place in the Global Innovation Index over the past 12 years and emphasized that exports of high-tech products had doubled within the past decade, with medium-high and high-tech product exports approaching $100 billion.
Gültepe also highlighted that the event featured the U.S., China, and Sweden as partner countries, stating: “As TİM, we aim to solidify international partnerships and position Türkiye at the heart of the global innovation ecosystem.” Addressing young people, Gültepe encouraged them: “Do not fear innovation, experimentation, or failure. The determination that has brought you this far will be guided by your courage moving forward. In the near future, entrepreneurs from among you will elevate our country to prosperity, engineers will develop world-renowned projects, and economists will shape the future.”
“Exporters are the Vanguard of the Turkish Economy”
During the InovaLİG Champions Awards Ceremony, Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz spoke about the importance of the program, designed to foster innovation-driven exports and promote Türkiye's leading companies. Yılmaz mentioned that the program, which began in 2014 with 460 applications, had grown in popularity, surpassing 2,000 applications for the first time last year. In 2023, 2,302 companies from 67 provinces applied for the awards.
Yılmaz stressed that the awareness of innovation-based exports is becoming more widespread, noting that the 30 innovation champions from the previous year collectively achieved $6.8 billion in exports. He expressed his belief that next year's applications would exceed 2,500 and emphasized that the government always supports exporters, whom he referred to as the “vanguard of the Turkish economy.”
Reflecting on the government's achievements, Yılmaz said, “Under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's leadership, we are witnessing the results of our efforts across every field. Over the past 22 years, Türkiye's economy has grown nearly fivefold in dollar terms. Our per capita income increased from $3,600 to $13,243 by the end of last year. This year's figures are not yet finalized, but according to our Medium-Term Program, we expect to reach a national income exceeding $1.3 trillion, with per capita income surpassing $15,000.”
Yılmaz also discussed a recent proposal submitted to Parliament to support the Defense Industry Fund, emphasizing that none of the funds in the package would be allocated to the general budget. “Every element of this package will be dedicated to strengthening our defense industry,” he added.
“We Strive to Lead in Innovation”
Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat highlighted the pivotal role of innovation and technological transformation in achieving Türkiye's production and export goals. “Since 2012, we have doubled our exports of high-tech products, and we are nearing $100 billion in exports of medium and high-tech products,” Bolat remarked proudly.
He emphasized that initiatives like Türkiye Innovation Week reflect the nation's entrepreneurial spirit and innovative capacity, showcasing Türkiye's success in R&D, technology ventures, and groundbreaking solutions. Bolat added that such events contribute to Türkiye's intellectual and technological capacity, aligning with the vision of the Türkiye Century. “We are living in an unprecedented era of innovation, driven by technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, biotechnology, nanotechnology, blockchain, and augmented reality. This era belongs to those who advance through innovation and invest heavily in R&D,” he said.
Bolat affirmed that, under the Türkiye Century vision, Türkiye aims to become a global hub for startups, unicorns, decacorns, and innovative companies producing advanced technologies.
“Türkiye Believes in Talent and Hard Work”
Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır underscored that the world is undergoing a transformative period, challenging conventional wisdom and long-held habits. “Contrary to those who doubt our ability to innovate, Türkiye believes in the talent and hard work of its people,” Kacır declared.
Kacır, speaking at Türkiye's Entrepreneurs Awards and the InovaTİM Innovation Competition Award Ceremony, highlighted the excitement surrounding young participants' journey of transforming original ideas in artificial intelligence and sustainability into products and services. He emphasized that the winds of technological transformation are blowing faster and stronger than ever in history. Kacır stated, “We are collectively witnessing a period in which traditional business models and processes are rapidly evolving through innovative technologies, and at the same time, startups that focus on these technologies are growing swiftly, displacing well-established firms. In this new era, where the ability to deliver technology-driven products and services determines sustainable success and competitive advantage, investing in innovation, digitalization, and R&D is no longer a choice but an imperative for businesses.”
“We are living in an era where old paradigms are shifting, and conventional habits are being abandoned,” said Kacır. “In defiance of those who claimed we couldn't succeed in producing and developing technology, we now have a Türkiye that believes in the talent, intellect, and hard work of its own people. Türkiye is no longer a bystander; it has become a powerful force in its region and a significant player on the global stage. From Africa to the Middle East, from Europe to Far East Asia, we are building bridges, fostering new collaborations, and reshaping the game. With a qualified, young, and productive human capital, along with unparalleled commercial ties and logistical advantages, Türkiye has become a magnet for investors. Under the visionary leadership of our President and in line with the objectives of our National Technology Initiative, we are steadfastly working to make Türkiye one of the world's leading countries in R&D, technology, and innovation.”
“The Future Belongs to the Daring Turks”
Minister of Youth and Sports Osman Aşkın Bak, in his speech, emphasized that Türkiye's young and dynamic population must also demonstrate strength in technology, digital transformation, and artificial intelligence. “This year's TEKNOFEST was extraordinary. Great things happened in Adana. The event drew 1.1 million visitors. Excitement, enthusiasm—everything was there. This is where the strength of Türkiye lies. We believe in you, and we trust you,” he said.
Highlighting the collaboration protocol between the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Presidential Digital Transformation Office, Bak noted that they plan to provide artificial intelligence training to approximately 950,000 young people. “Chase your dreams. Even if doors close in front of you, keep moving forward. Let nothing stop you. Just as the U.S. has Silicon Valley, we have Gebze Technical University, METU, and Boğaziçi University in Türkiye. We have the strength. With our youth, we will achieve many great things—so much more,” he added.
Bak encouraged the youth to take inspiration from the globally renowned Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo. “They ask Ronaldo, 'Why do you always keep your mother by your side?' And he responds, 'When I went to training, my mother was working outside, cleaning houses, working at a restaurant, and taking care of me. I owe everything to her.'” Bak urged young people never to forget those who have touched their lives, particularly their parents, saying, “This is what makes life beautiful. The future belongs to the Crazy Turks. I would like to extend my gratitude to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the Ministry of Industry and Technology, and the Türkiye Exporters' Assembly for opening new paths for our youth. This century will be the Century of Türkiye.”
Award-Winning Entrepreneurships
In the Türkiye's Entrepreneurs 2024 Awards, Shipentegra received the “Fastest Growing Entrepreneur” award in the TİM-TEB Entrepreneurship House category, while Toffu earned the “Entrepreneur with the Most Export Countries” award. In the National category, DRN Logistics was awarded “Global Success is My Goal,” GC Defense won the “Female Technology Entrepreneur” award, Tumurly was honored as the “Environment and Sustainability-Friendly Entrepreneur,” and Neuraturk received the “Young Entrepreneur” award.
In the İnovaTİM Innovation Competition, Retile, Nature's Renewables, Biotexura, Fondöten İstasyonu, and Ecocrate were recognized in the Sustainability category. In the Artificial Intelligence category, Sağlıklı Tarlam, Hemix, Effiorbit, Lintech, and Havade earned awards.
The İnovaLİG Awards honored several companies across different categories. S.Y.K. Tekstil, Dof Robotics, and Sanver Engineering were recognized for Innovation Strategy; SBS Scientific Bio Solutions, Tunay Food, and Netpak Packaging for Innovation Organization and Culture; SMS Industrial Materials, Bioclean Environmental Technologies, and Destek Patent for Innovation Cycle; Termo Heating Systems, Etkin Medical Devices, and Simsoft Computer Technologies for Innovation Resources; and Milvus Robotics Technology, Ubc Chemistry Construction and Mining, and Saykal Electronics for Innovation Results.
In the large-scale firm awards, Roketsan, Borçelik, and Aygaz received recognition for Innovation Strategy; TUSAŞ, TEI Tusaş Engine Industries, and Turkish Technic for Innovation Organization and Culture; Turkish Airlines, Asaş Aluminum, and Yiğit Battery for Innovation Cycle; Aselsan, Beyçelik Gestamp, and Kayalar Chemistry for Innovation Resources; and Yorglass, Ege Profil, and CMS for Innovation Results.
Special awards were also given to the Turkish Economy Bank, Turkcell, Ziraat Bank, VakıfBank, Halkbank, Türkiye Sigorta, İhracatı Geliştirme A.Ş., Türkiye Technology Fund, Hayat Holding, and Trendyol.