A strong start for entrepreneurs at Medipol: Ideas transform into economic value

The “TÜBİTAK 1812-BİGG Acceleration Opening Program” hosted by the Technology Transfer Office of Istanbul Medipol University, brought together prospective entrepreneurs with academia, industry, and the investment community. Addressing all dimensions of the process from ideation to company formation, the program provided participants not only with information, but also with direction, vision, and a solid foundation for a strong start.

While the program is implemented by Medipol TTO as the executing institution, it is carried out in cooperation with Yeditepe University, Istanbul Kültür University, and Ankara Medipol University. The opening session, held at the North Campus TTO building, attracted significant participation. The inclusion of prospective entrepreneurs in the acceleration program following a highly competitive application process once again demonstrated the dynamic entrepreneurial environment at Medipol.

Entrepreneurs engaged with a comprehensive framework covering the most critical aspects of entrepreneurship, from business plan development and team formation to financial modeling and investment processes. The program also went beyond theoretical knowledge, offering a robust learning environment enriched by real-world experiences.

DR. SELİM SERKAN SAY: WE ARE BUILDING THE JOURNEY FROM IDEA TO ECONOMIC VALUE TOGETHER
Dr. Selim Serkan Say, General Manager of the Technology Transfer Office at Istanbul Medipol University, highlighted the university’s capacity for entrepreneurship and innovation. Emphasizing that the university is not merely an institution that produces knowledge, but also a powerful center that transforms this knowledge into value, Say stated:

“This year, we received 55 applications within the scope of the BİGG project. This number indicates that our university possesses a strong potential for idea generation and an entrepreneurial spirit. Through our entrepreneurship office within the TTO, our TEKMER structure, project support systems, intellectual property infrastructure, and university-industry collaboration mechanisms, we have established a holistic ecosystem. Here, we are not only supporting company formation processes; we are collectively building the entire journey from idea to commercialization.” 

Stating that they will focus on health technologies, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and communication in the upcoming period, Say noted that the university’s strong project, patent, and entrepreneurship infrastructure provides a significant springboard for entrepreneurs.

HOW DOES AN IDEA PROGRESS AT MEDIPOL?
Providing a detailed account of how an idea develops at Medipol, Say emphasized that entrepreneurs are not left alone; rather, they progress through a structured guidance system. He stated that ideas submitted to the TTO are first evaluated, and depending on their nature, different development pathways are activated.

Say explained that when an idea has the potential to evolve into a project, it is directed to support programs, while initiatives requiring prototyping are connected with laboratory infrastructure.

He also noted that ideas with entrepreneurial potential are directly matched with the entrepreneurship office and acceleration programs, emphasizing that this stage constitutes the most critical phase for entrepreneurs.

According to Say, this approach transforms Medipol TTO from a structure that merely provides support into a strategic center that ensures ideas progress along the right trajectory.

A GROWING ECOSYSTEM REACHING 4,500 INDIVIDUALS
Highlighting that Medipol’s entrepreneurship ecosystem is not limited to project development, Say stated that the university has reached a broad sphere of influence. He emphasized that thousands of individuals have been engaged through projects carried out within the scope of university-industry collaboration, creating a sustainable impact.

Noting their strong position particularly in artificial intelligence and data-driven projects, Say stated that approximately 4,500 individuals have been reached, adding that Medipol has evolved into a production center that not only develops ideas but also engages with a wide audience.

INCREASING TRUST THROUGH NEW STRUCTURES AND CLINICAL RESEARCH
Drawing attention to newly established structures within the university that further strengthen the entrepreneurship ecosystem, Say highlighted the significant development of the Clinical Research Office in particular. He noted that this newly established unit has attracted attention with its increasing number of contracts and participant profile.

Emphasizing that the structure, which initially started with limited capacity, has rapidly expanded, Say stated that growing participation and collaborations serve as a concrete indicator of the trust placed in Medipol. “This development demonstrates that the university continues to expand its ecosystem not only through its existing structures but also through new initiatives.” he concluded.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP AT MEDIPOL IS NOW A SYSTEM
The TÜBİTAK 1812-BİGG Acceleration Program has established a strong foundation for collaboration by bringing together academia, industry, and entrepreneurs on a common platform. The program offers entrepreneurs not merely a support mechanism, but a holistic system that encompasses the entire journey from idea to product, from product to company, and from company to investment.

This structure established at Medipol stands out as a robust model that transforms entrepreneurship from a mere idea stage into a sustainable and investment-oriented process.