Young minds learn to dream big at Turkey's technopark

By Adsiz Gunebakan

GAZIANTEP, Turkey (AA) - Start-ups at a technopark located in Turkey's southeastern province of Gaziantep are opening to the world with innovative technologies including software, biotechnology, electronics, artificial intelligence and machine vision.

Some 91 entrepreneurs work in the technopark which has a 100-percent occupancy rate, 333 projects were completed in the first eight months of this year, and 159 projects are currently in process.

The technopark aims to develop companies and expand value-added economy, Ekrem Tekin, the head of Gaziantep Technopark, told Anadolu Agency.

“We are capable of addressing the global trends in technology,” Tekin said.

“By thinking globally, we think that our companies will reach a much better place. They will be able to find partners and take part in global networks for entrepreneurship and business management, which will lead our companies to gain international recognition."

He noted that some companies in the technopark have produced virtual reality mobile phone applications that have made it to the Editor's Pick section on App Store and Google Play.

“However, many people still do not know that these applications have come out of Gaziantep Technopark,” Tekin said, recalling that Watch-X was selected as an educational technology startup in England in 2018.

Tekin said young people can receive consultancy and investment at the technopark.

"Young minds can dream here. They can hone their skill and work with innovative market leaders," he added.

Mehmet Coban, who developed a device that detects faults in car parts, said his clients were increasing every day.

"Our first customer was a giant German company,” he said.

Coban said the device is sold in Turkey and exported to Israel, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Kosovo, Algeria and Lebanon.

Mustafa Tulu and his partner Enes Candir have developed a smart watch which customers can use to code.

“We currently have more than 3,000 users in 45 countries,” Tulu said.

*Writing by Erdogan Cagatay Zontur