IZMIR Ent4Int: Center for Entrepreneurs with Experiential Learning
“IZMIR Ent4Int: Centre for Entrepreneurs with Experiential Learning” Project is an entrepreneurship support project supported by “ICMPD – International centre for Migration Policy Development” under “ENHANCER, Common Use Facilities” program with the joint application of Dokuz Eylul University Technology Development Inc (DEPARK) and Dokuz Eylul University. The main objective of the project is to provide training, networking, mentoring and logistical support to prospective entrepreneurs from Syrians under Temporary Protection (SuTPs) and Local Host Communities (LHCs) in Izmir and neighboring provinces to develop their entrepreneurial ideas. In order to increase the entrepreneurial capacities of the participants under temporary protection and the cooperation between them, Izmir Ent4Int Project directly targeted 60 SuTPs and 40 LHCs. With the official start of the project on 8 July 2022, the Izmir Ent4Int project team started the process of creating a shared open-use hub that will bring together the identified mixed group with support such as entrepreneurship training, mentoring, commercialization and marketing. In this context, the first 3 months of the project focused on project visibility activities, outreach to the target audience and meetings with external stakeholders. In order to reach the right target audience, a preliminary digital and physical survey was prepared by experts. As a result of the relevant surveys, the target audience applications were analyzed and the most suitable participants were selected for the training content and the identified needs, and face-to-face entrepreneurship trainings are planned to be launched in the next phase. At this stage, the entrepreneurship capacity of the target group will be supported through theoretical knowledge transfer and practices by utilizing the knowledge and experience of Dokuz Eylül University Izmir Vocational High School researchers in the relevant fields. In addition to the training process, supportive information meetings and webinar activities will be carried out, especially on internationalization and international marketing. In addition, the project aims to create a synergy between the SuTP and LHC groups, which are entrepreneur candidates, and to improve the integration between the two communities. In this context, the physical common use facility that will be created within the scope of the project will be called “Izmir Ent4Int” and will be a networking space open to all entrepreneur candidates accepted to the program. Within the scope of the 18-month project, 10 successful entrepreneurs will be provided with incubation offices within the technopark after the training activities that will take place in certain time periods. In the planned activities, it is planned that institutions with knowledge and experience in the field of entrepreneurship will also take part in the project activities as participants.
Participants of Izmir Ent4Int Project:
* Dokuz Eylül University İzmir Vocational High School (IMYO) * Dokuz Eylül University Technology Transfer Office (DETTO) * Aegean Young Business People Association (EGIAD) * Aliağa Organized Industrial Zone (Aliağa OSB) * BV Technology Business Development Consultancy and Org. Serv. Co. * Dokuz Eylül National Health Industries Association (DUSED)
