EIT Community RIS Hub in Türkiye
Unlocking Türkiye's Innovation Potential: A Gateway to Global Impact
Türkiye’s innovation ecosystem is evolving rapidly, reflecting its growing significance in the global technological and economic landscapes. Positioned strategically at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Türkiye capitalizes on its unique geographic location, a youthful and dynamic population, and a rising emphasis on innovation-driven policies. This synergy of cultural, geographic, and economic strengths is driving the country’s transformation into a prominent global innovation hub. Moreover, the State’s steadfast focus on education, infrastructure development, and forward-looking government initiatives continues to lay a strong foundation for sustained growth and progress.
Türkiye’s robust educational system, particularly in the STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), is nurturing a vibrant pool of skilled professionals and researchers. This talent pipeline is a key driver for creating cutting-edge startups, especially in advanced technology and materials sectors, unlocking new opportunities for national and international impact.
However, while Türkiye’s innovation ecosystem has made remarkable strides, there are challenges that require attention to achieve its full potential. Access to funding remains a priority area for improvement. Despite a noticeable rise in venture capital activity, the total amount of investment still lags behind more established ecosystems. Early-stage startups, brimming with promise, often face hurdles in scaling to international markets and attracting global investors. Increasing participation from European counterparts in Turkish startup investment rounds is a critical step toward greater success.
As a maturing ecosystem, Türkiye is navigating societal and cultural challenges, such as fostering a greater tolerance for entrepreneurial risk and nurturing a supportive culture for innovators. Strengthening collaboration between academia, industry, and government will be essential to unlocking new opportunities. Enhancing international R&D partnerships and bridging silos between researchers and entrepreneurs are vital pathways for achieving Türkiye’s ambitious innovation goals.
With its unmatched potential, Türkiye stands poised to take its innovation ecosystem to new heights, forging stronger connections and delivering impactful solutions on a global scale.
About the EIT Community RIS Hub
The primary mission of the EIT Community RIS Hub in Türkiye is to strengthen the local innovation ecosystem by increasing the visibility of EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs), supporting local partners in developing new projects and partnerships, and fostering greater engagement among stakeholders. It connects local innovators with European counterparts, creating opportunities for startups to meet international investors, gain access to resources, and expand into new markets. The Hub also plays a critical role in encouraging cross-sector collaboration across various fields in which EIT KICs are active, ultimately enabling these communities to enhance their presence and activities in Türkiye.
Three EIT KICs are currently active in Türkiye: EIT Urban Mobility, EIT InnoEnergy, and EIT Food. Each of these communities is represented by local stakeholders, working to develop sector-specific advancements and create meaningful impact within their respective fields. Building on these established connections, the EIT Community RIS Hub Türkiye organizes regular meetings, events, workshops, and ecosystem scouting activities. These initiatives aim to create a cohesive and collaborative innovation environment across the country.
The Hub’s strength lies in its Consortium, comprising Fark Labs, Sabancı University, and TÜBİTAK. Fark Labs serves as an innovation, incubation, and investment center dedicated to supporting forward-thinking startups and technologies. Sabancı University, a leader in research and education, contributes expertise in innovation and entrepreneurship. TÜBİTAK, Türkiye’s national authority for research and development, plays a key role in funding and managing groundbreaking projects. Together, these institutions are driving innovation and transformation through collaborative intelligence, creating a vibrant and interconnected ecosystem that unites difference-makers, leading corporations, venture capital firms, universities, and government agencies at both the local and global levels.
“As the EIT Community Officer for Türkiye, my mission is to empower local innovators by connecting them with the extensive resources, networks, and opportunities offered by the EIT and its Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs). By fostering collaboration across academia, industry, and government, and strengthening ties with European and global markets, we aim to transform Türkiye into a hub of innovation and creativity. Through targeted initiatives, including capacity-building programs, cross-sector partnerships, and strategic international collaborations, we support startups and researchers to overcome challenges, scale their ideas, and make a meaningful global impact. Our goal is to build a resilient, inclusive, and forward-looking innovation ecosystem that showcases Türkiye’s potential on the European and world stage.”
ÖMER HANTAL, EIT COMMUNITY OFFICER TÜRKİYE
About the EIT Community Officer
Mr. Ömer Hantal
EIT Community Officer Türkiye, Chief Innovation Optimizer at Fark Labs
Ömer Hantal brings over 15 years of cross-industry experience, blending expertise in engineering, business development, and innovation management. As the EIT Community Türkiye Yöneticisi, he fosters collaboration between local innovators, startups, and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), enabling Türkiye’s entrepreneurs to scale their ideas, secure funding, and access mentorship through EIT’s pan-European network.
Since 2021, Ömer has led the EIT Urban Mobility RIS Hub Türkiye Consortium, focusing on connecting Türkiye’s urban mobility innovators with European networks, funding opportunities, and expertise to drive sustainable growth and foster global collaboration.
In his role as Chief Innovation Optimizer at Fark Labs, Ömer oversees innovation services, operations, and R&D projects with a focus on shaping the future of mobility. He also serves as a Board Member at Buyutech, a startup specializing in autonomous driving solutions, and French Tech Istanbul, an international tech community promoting collaboration within the ecosystem. Additionally, he has held strategic leadership positions at Farplas Automotive, where he spearheaded transformative initiatives in urban mobility and sustainable innovation.
Ömer holds dual M.Sc. degrees in Management Engineering and Engineering Management from Università degli Studi di Firenze and Istanbul Technical University, respectively. With a deep understanding of Türkiye’s entrepreneurial landscape and a commitment to sustainable growth, Ömer is dedicated to empowering the next generation of innovators to create a global impact.
Contact Details
- Email: turkiye@eitcommunity.eu
- Phone: +905337611983
- Address: Ahi Evran Ave. 42 Maslak No:6 Office 3 Floor:1 No:1 34485, Sariyer, Istanbul, Türkiye
- LinkedIn: EIT Community RIS Hub Türkiye
Upcoming Opportunities
Stay updated with the latest opportunities related to Türkiye’s innovation ecosystem and the activities of the EIT Community RIS Hub.
