TURKONFED Launches Turkey's First SME Digitalization Center

“SMEs Meeting the Future: The Digital Transformation Center” project was launched in Istanbul. The aim of the project is to increase the competitiveness of SMEs which are crucial to the Turkish economy and to support the digitalization process. Via this 3-million-Turkish-lira-budget project, 120 SMEs will embark on a technology journey. SMEs can apply to the project via www.ddm.org.tr website.

Supported within the scope of Istanbul Development Agency’s “2018 Innovative and Creative Istanbul Financial Support Program,” the Digital Transformation Center will contribute to Istanbul’s innovative athmosphere thanks to its participative, inclusive and multi-stakeholder cooperation network. 120 SMEs will be paired with 30 techno-SMEs regarding their needs, they will receive training at the Center located in Beyoglu, and will be introduced to the digitalization processes. Throughout the project, “techno solutions specific to businesses” will be developed.

26 February 2019–Istanbul Today, production and industry are shaped by digitalization. In order to meet this need, the Turkish Enterprise and Business Confederation (TURKONFED) has initiated the “Digital Transformation Center” (Dijital Dönüşüm Merkezi) project which is a part of Istanbul Development Agency’s (IDA) 2018 Innovative and Creative Istanbul Financial Support Program, an institution working in coordination with the Ministry of Industry and Technology of Turkey.

Implemented in partnership with the Governorship of Istanbul and All Enterpreneurial Business Mentors Foundation (TÜGİM), under the sponsorship of Türkiye İş Bankası, and with the participation of Boğaziçi University and Endeavor Turkey, the “ SMEs Meeting the Future: The Digital Transformation Center” project takes 120 SMEs on a techno-journey.

Guiding 120 SMEs through a technology journey with a 3-million-Turkish-lira budget, the DTC was introduced with a conference in İş Kuleleri. Deputy Governor to Istanbul Mehmet Ali Özyiğit, TÜRKONFED President Orhan Turan, Türkiye İş Bankası Deputy Director General Şahismail Şimşek and Istanbul Development Agency Deputy Secretary General Dr. Fatih Pişkin were in attendance at the conference.

SMEs will be paired with 30 Techno SMEs in line with their needs

The project that will help SMEs with digital transformation and increase their global competitiveness capacity is also valuable to Istanbul’s innovative athmosphere. SMEs will receive over 2.000 hours of mentorship support and training on “production”, “internal administration” and “marketing-sales”. The program will last for 18 months. Within the scope of the project, 120 SMEs will be paired with 30 techno-SMEs that provide digitalization products and services. In addition, specific road maps responding to digitalization needs of SMEs will be provided, credit and financing solutions will also be developed.