Turkey sends Bill Gates’ of future to US Silicon Valley

ISTANBUL - Anatolia News Agency

The Industry Ministry will send 10 techno-entrepreneurs to Silicon Valley. AP photo

The Turkish Industry Ministry will send 10 techno-entrepreneurs to Silicon Valley with 100,000 Turkish Liras of support for their projects, the first step in a new, recurring project.

The ministry will continue sending young people in groups of 10 to Silicon Valley, the home for many global technology firms in the U.S., Minister Nihat Ergün told Anatolia news agency. Today is the last day for applications to join the program.

748 entrepreneurs since 2009

The ministry will give 30,000 liras to each entrepreneur for their expenses in addition to a grant of 100,000 liras to develop their projects.

Ergün said the ministry had supported some 748 techno-entrepreneurs since 2009.

“Some of these [entrepreneurs] have developed new technological products while some have already started exporting them,” Ergün said.

“Some billion dollar companies in the world were founded by brave entrepreneurs who are capable of turning opportunities into advantages. Why shouldn’t a young person from our country become a Bill Gates? Why shouldn’t we have global firms like Apple?”