Turkey’s TUBİTAK to support entrepreneurs in clean technology
ANKARA – Anadolu Agency
The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBİTAK) and the Global Environment Fund (GEF) is set to start supporting entrepreneurs working on innovation in clean technology, the council’s head has stated.
“Entrepreneurs who succeed in the Clean Innovation Program will be supported by a $3 million fund from the GEF and TUBİTAK,” TUBİTAK President Prof. Ahmet Arif Ergin told state-run Anadolu Agency on Feb. 3.
The program, conducted with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) with the financial support of the Global Clean Innovation Programme (GCIP), has been hosted by TUBITAK since 2014 in Turkey.
Within the scope of the program, clean technology innovation is encouraged, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups that work on energy and water efficiency, renewable energy, waste management, green buildings and transportation field, are supported, Ergin said.
According to UNIDO, the GCIP “promotes an innovation and entrepreneur ecosystem by identifying and nurturing clean-tech innovators and entrepreneurs; by building capacity within national institutions and partner organizations for the sustainable implementation of the clean-tech ecosystem and accelerator approach.”
Ergin said the program’s first phase was complete and entrepreneurs are receiving support in the fields of education and mentorship.
“Over 100 startups in the energy and environment sectors have successfully received education,” he said, adding that a competition was being organized to raise awareness about the program’s success.
“Ideas that rank among top three will be rewarded with cash prizes and the winners will represent Turkey in the Global Forum 2018 in Los Angeles and California,” Ergin said.
He said invitation to the program’s phase two, which would be supported by the $3 million fund, would start next year.
GEF is a “private equity fund manager focused on resource productivity investments globally,” according to its website.
