A cash reward of 3.5 million TL awaits startups in the “You Are My Energy” Program

It is carried out under the coordination of the Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EPDK) and the Electricity Distribution Services Association (Elder), in cooperation with ITU ARI Teknokent. “You Are My Energy” Acceleration Programcontinues to support energy initiatives. Applications for the program, which aims to support initiatives that produce innovative solutions to problems in the field of energy, improve processes and quickly adapt to developments, will be accepted until August 12. Startups that will take the stage at the My Energy is You Demo Day to be held this year will be able to receive a cash prize of 3.5 million TL in total, including 1.5 million TL and 2 million TL specific to the category in Turkey’s largest entrepreneurship event, Big Bang Startup Challenge. . In addition, startups that will benefit from the 1.28 billion TL reward and investment pool at Big Bang will also have the opportunity to sell, cooperate and partner with powerful companies operating in the energy sector.

110 entrepreneurs received 135 million TL investment

The “You Are My Energy” Acceleration Program, the first seeds of which were laid by EMRA and Elder in 2018 and has been continuing since 2021 in cooperation with ITU Çekirdek, has created employment for more than 500 people and received an investment of 135 million TL, with the support of 110 startups that have applied so far. The ventures, which reached a total valuation of 2.5 billion TL, managed to achieve a turnover of 155 million TL.

“Every investment made in the field of R&D is an investment in Turkey’s future”

Pointing out that every investment made in the field of R&D is an investment in Turkey’s future. Hacı Ali Ulutaş, EMRA Vice President and Head of R&D CommissionHe noted that the “You Are My Energy Acceleration Program”, which encourages innovation and entrepreneurship, is of great importance for Turkey’s energy supply security and sustainability, in addition to its contribution to the development of the sector. Ulutaş said, “Every step and every project that will guide our sector on issues such as consumer satisfaction, efficiency and locality is very valuable to us. I believe that the innovative solutions put forward by our entrepreneurs will respond not only to today’s but also to the energy needs of the future. R&D of our EMRA President, Mr. Mustafa Yılmaz “We are proud to be the pioneer and supporter of such a program that revives the spirit of entrepreneurship in the energy sector in line with the vision it has drawn for us in the field.”

“Innovative approaches shape the energy of the future”

Stating that the My Energy is You Acceleration Program is an important step taken to prepare the sector for the future with sustainable and innovative solutions. Barış Erdeniz, Chairman of the Board of Electricity Distribution Services Association (Elder)“Thanks to the support of EMRA and our cooperation with ITU ARI Teknokent, it is possible to develop and implement new technologies for the energy sector. In the energy sector, which is undergoing a major transformation on a global scale, the use of renewable energy resources, energy efficiency and sustainable energy solutions are becoming more important day by day. The future of our electricity distribution sector, which is the backbone of green transformation, is shaped by important trends such as greater renewable energy integration, digitalization and smart grids. As Elder, we believe that our youth are the architects of our country’s future with their ideas and initiatives. It is a great source of pride for us to reveal the potential of our country and support young entrepreneurs. Their energy and innovative approaches shape the energy of the future. “We believe that this program, with its contributions to the entrepreneurship ecosystem, increases the dynamism of the sector and paves the way for important innovations in the field of energy, and we remind once again that our door is wide open to all entrepreneurs with ideas and projects.”

It will be the voice of innovative business ideas

Emphasizing that entrepreneurs will be the voice of innovative business ideas with the “You Are My Energy Acceleration Program” ITU ARI Teknokent General Manager Prof. Dr. Attila Dikbaş also“ITU ARI Teknokent has created an important ecosystem with its building where companies carrying out R&D activities in Turkey’s energy field, which have been producing value within the scope of the energy cluster for years and have determined energy technologies as one of their priority strategic areas, operate. Within the scope of this program, in which we have joined forces as EMRA, Elder and İTÜ ARI Teknokent, we will once again support initiatives that develop innovative technologies in the field of energy to create value for the sector. The startups selected for the program will receive training and seminars at ITU Çekirdek to commercialize their startups; More than 500 mentors who are experts in their fields, from marketing to finance, from sales to human resources, will be able to benefit from support such as R&D funds and laboratory infrastructure to develop their prototypes. In addition, they will have the opportunity to benefit from various advantages and supports such as meeting with potential customers, accessing national and international connections, participating in global fairs, events and acceleration programs, and investment opportunities and support. By supporting global energy initiatives within the scope of our energy vertical, we move forward every year. “We are trying to carry it.” he said.

For detailed information and application about the program: https://itucekirdek.com/enerji