METU-Technopolis (METUTECH)
This is the first and the largest science park in Turkey. It supports the creation of synergy between industry, university and public institutions through infrastructural/structural opportunities developed for academicians, researchers and companies using/producing technology.
Studies for METU-Technopolis project were started by the Middle East Technical University (METU) in 1987. After investigating some Science Parks in United States and UK, a pre-feasibility study was prepared in 1988. Following this, METU-SMIDO Technology Development Center (TEKMER) was founded in 1992 as an incubator in association with SMIDO-Small and Medium Size Industries Development and Support Organization (KOSGEB).
The successful results attained in METU-SMIDO Technology Development Center had subsequently fortified the idea of forming a techno park.
After the preparation of the development plan of METUTECH in 1997, the construction process started and the first two buildings were put into service in 2000.
In the year 2001, when the law of Technology Development Regions no. 4691 was issued, METUTECH was declared as a "Technology Development Region" by the law. Following the issue of the Law, METUTECH Technology Development Region has developed rapidly and by the end of September 2006, 65.000 m2 enclosed area was realized in which more than more than 3000 staff working 180 companies, conducting Research-Development studies and having activities based on the ultimate technology; innovation, creativity and knowledge.
METU-Technopolis, located in METU Campus, on 113 hectares of land, is 7 kms far from the city center of Ankara, lies in the western corridor of the main development axis of the city. According to the development plan of METUTECH by the end of 2015 METUTECH will reach to a number of 250.000 square meters closed area, 10.000 employees working in 500 companies.
METUTECH hosts 180 companies 75% of which are SMEs. The existing company profile of METUTECH is based on software development, IT, defense and electronics industry. The incubation center of METUTECH serves 35 micro sized companies; most of which are spin offs from Middle East Technical University.
At present, Combining METU's research capacity and information pool with the innovative capacity of entrepreneurs, METUTECH is not only the largest science park of Turkey, but is a model that is appropriated by many newly developing science park administrations and they benefit from the experiences of its management company in their development processes.
OTHER SCIENCE PARKS IN THE REGION
There are 3 science parks, one of which is METUTECH, in Ankara. Bilkent Cyberpark, which is the second largest science park and Hacettepe Technopark are the other science parks. The company profiles of these science parks are nearly the same as the profile of METUTECH.
2 incubation centres, METU-SMIDO (KOSGEB) Technology Development Centre in METUTECH, and Incubation Centre in Bilkent University, are operating in Ankara. Besides, by the completion of new building, pre-incubation centre of METUTECH will be in operation in 2007.
Ankara is known for the multitude of universities and research organizations. There are 10 universities, 55 research institutes and 172 research centres located within the region. The universities include the following, several of them being among the most reputable of the country: Ankara University, Atılım University, Baskent University, Bilkent University, Cankaya University, Gazı University, Hacettepe University, Middle East Technical University, TOBB Economics and Technology University, Ufuk University. 130.000
people have been studying and approximately 12.000 academians were employed at the universities in Ankara as of 2003.
SMIDO, which is a semi governmental body, and the main organization in supporting start-ups in Turkey, operates 22 business and technology incubators together with universities. METU-SMIDO Technology centre, the incubation centre of METUTECH, is the most successful one.
Also METU and Teknopark Inc. are trying to finalize the establishment of METU-BAN, which will be the first business angel network in Turkey.
MOST IMPORTANT SERVICES
Teknopark Inc. coordinates two FP6 projects; IRC-Anatolia and RIS Mersin. The main purpose of the IRC-Anatolia is to provide Turkish SMEs with international technology transfer and collaboration opportunities. RIS Mersin, 'Regional Innovation Strategies for Mersin', which is the first project initiated to develop regional innovation strategies in Turkey, to support the promotion of innovation in Mersin region.
Other FP6 projects in which Teknopark Inc. actively participates are 'Networking ICT Clusters in Europe' (NICE) project, 'SME- Intelligence Network for Co-operation in E-Health Road mapping Events and projects' (SINCERE) project, 'The Development, Validation, Testing and Dissemination of a Professional and Sustainable SME TTT Stage Gate methodology to produce profitable innovation collaborations with large companies and RTDs' (SME8InnovGate) project, 'Researching Inequality through Science and Technology' (ResIST) project and 'Intellectual Property for Innovation' (ip4inno) project.
The business plan contest, named 'New Business and New Ideas' (YFYI), has been organized by Teknopark Inc. since 2005. The aim of this competition is that encouraging technology and innovation based entrepreneurship among the university students. Team members of selected projects at the first stage, are given free-of-charge courses on entrepreneurship, business plan preparation, financial management and IPR. And the winner of the competition is awarded with 35.000$.
Besdies, Teknopark Inc. organizes training courses for SME's on; Logistics engineering and management of logistics, project cycle management, new product development, new business development etc.
LINKS TO MOST IMPORTANT WEBSITES AND KEY PLAYERS OF OUR REGION
www.metutech.metu.edu.tr (METUTECH)
www.metu.edu.tr (Middle East Technical University)
www.irc-anatolia.org.tr (IRC-Anatolia)
www.ris-mersin.info (RIS-Mersin)
www.kosgeb.gov.tr (Small and Medium Industry Development Organization)
www.tekmer.gov.tr (METU-SMIDO Centre, Incubation Centre of METUTECH)
www.ttgv.org.tr (Technology Development Foundation of Turkey)
www.tubitak.gov.tr (The Scientific & Technological Research Council of Turkey)
www.aso.org.tr (Ankara Chamber of Industry)