Work commences on Cisco innovation center in Istanbul

ISTANBUL

Cisco has announced that work has commenced on its Cisco Innovation Center in central Istanbul, which will be part of a network of Cisco Innovation Centers worldwide and aims to accelerate the pace of digital innovation in Turkey.

In a statement on Nov. 9, the company said the innovation center is part of a collaboration with the government and Cisco customers, partners and suppliers, as well as local startups, accelerators, universities and industry collaborators.

The new center is located in İTÜ ARI Teknokent, a technology park affiliated with Istanbul Technical University, one of the world’s oldest technical universities.

The main focus of the center will be to use innovation and technology advances to tackle the most pressing real-world challenges aligned with Turkey’s priorities, Cisco stated.

“We are thrilled to establish the Cisco Innovation Center Istanbul in our technology park because this one-of-a-kind facility will enrich our ecosystem, making it an even more attractive environment for startups and businesses,” said İTÜ ARI Teknokent General Manager Kenan Çolpan.

“Cisco’s technology leadership and expertise in innovation add further momentum to our aim to contribute to Turkey’s technological development by becoming the foremost hub for R&D and innovation activities in the country,” Çolpan added.

The 4,500-square-foot facility is expected to be launched in early 2018, according to the statement.

The center will offer Turkey’s brightest and most talented people an opportunity to be bold with their ideas and a viable route to bring them from concept to reality, said Cisco Turkey General Manager Cenk Kıvılcım.

Global Cisco innovation centers create pioneering environments for startups, entrepreneurs, developers, researchers, and students to realize their ideas and solutions with access to labs and facilities for experimentation, the mentorship and expertise needed for co-innovation, and networks to access global markets, new customers, and investors, according to the statement.