‘Giant’ Support for Entrepreneurship

Izmir University of Economics (IUE) has received support from the European Union (EU) for a project it prepared in collaboration with educational institutions from 4 countries, aimed at strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the city and accelerating development in innovation and technology. The project, titled ‘Innovation-Driven Entrepreneurship and Academic Learning for Creative Industries’ (IDEAL), will be implemented simultaneously in the UK, Germany, Spain, and Italy, and has been awarded a total of 1.4 million euros in funding. IUE Rector Prof. Dr. Yusuf Hakan Abacıoğlu said, “Our University’s success in such a highly competitive EU program demonstrates the accuracy of our strategic focus in research and innovation.”

ONE OF 47 PROJECTS

The European Institute of Innovation and Technology Higher Education Initiative (EIT-HEI), one of the EU's most prestigious research and innovation programs, meticulously reviewed applications from 1 thousand 480 institutions from 55 countries and selected 47 projects for funding. Aiming to support entrepreneurship by working in areas such as creative and cultural industries, innovation, high-tech, digital fashion, and media, and to develop projects that will spread from Izmir across Turkey, IUE caught the EU’s attention with its innovative and strategic vision. As a partner in an internationally exemplary project, IUE outperformed many globally renowned universities to secure support.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP TO BECOME A COURSE

As part of the 25-month project, led at IUE by Assoc. Prof. Arzu Vuruşkan from the Department of Textile and Fashion Design, entrepreneurship-related courses will be added to the university curriculum. In addition to IUE, educational programs and mentoring services of other European universities will be thoroughly examined, and a roadmap will be created to enhance the contribution of higher education institutions to the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

TRAINING FOR 800 PEOPLE

Training programs will be provided for approximately 800 people, including young entrepreneurs, students, and academics. Long-term collaborations will be developed with entrepreneurs looking to expand their brands and enter new fields. This project, one of the best examples of university-city integration, will also guide new initiatives planned for the near future.

“IT WILL CREATE SUSTAINABLE IMPACT”

Emphasizing that the IDEAL project is a multi-stakeholder initiative aligned with the EU’s goal of enhancing entrepreneurship and innovation capacity in higher education, IUE Rector Prof. Dr. Yusuf Hakan Abacıoğlu said, “Our university is not just a beneficiary in this structure; we are also a guiding actor in knowledge generation, capacity building, and ecosystem development in creative industries. Through projects focused on entrepreneurship and creative sectors, we both strengthen our academic capacity and deepen our engagement with society. I congratulate all stakeholders who contributed to this important achievement and thank them for supporting the University’s internationalization vision.”

“REGIONAL INNOVATION CAPACITY WILL INCREASE”

Emphasizing that they have undertaken an important project that brings together society, the university, and industry, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Arzu Vuruşkan said, “Our aim is to enhance the quality and competitiveness of higher education institutions, develop innovative structures and services, support technology transfer processes, and promote entrepreneurship. By utilizing the expertise of higher education institutions, our project also aims to boost regional innovation capacity, attract talent, and create economic opportunities for startups. Within the project, Izmir University of Economics will lead the work package related to the implementation of entrepreneurship and incubation processes. Our project is also highly valuable for its focus on digitalization and design in the cultural, creative, and fashion industries.”

“A STRATEGIC SUCCESS”

Onur Kanyılmaz, Director of the IUE Project Development and Technology Transfer Office, stated that the IDEAL project is not only a success for the University but also a highly strategic achievement for Izmir’s entrepreneurship and innovation potential. Kanyılmaz said, “This comprehensive and multi-stakeholder initiative reinforces the roles of higher education institutions not only in knowledge generation but also in social contribution, economic development, and capacity building in creative industries. The project has the potential for long-term impact through concrete goals such as integrating entrepreneurship into the education system, increasing university-city collaborations, and supporting young talent. As the IUE Project Development and Technology Transfer Office, we are proud to support the development and implementation of such projects and are delighted to follow our University’s growing visibility on the international arena.”