A highly experienced expert with 19 years of professional background in innovation management, entrepreneurship support, institutional capacity building, and EU-funded programme delivery, including Horizon 2020, Horizon Europe, and IPA projects. Holds degrees in business, political science, European studies, and digital leadership, combining academic depth with practical implementation expertise.

Core Expertise

Innovation and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Development: Delivered numerous large-scale initiatives focused on the establishment and strengthening of incubators, accelerators, technoparks, and innovation centres, especially under EU and UNDP-funded projects across Türkiye (Kayseri, Adana, Elazığ, Mersin).

·     Institutional Capacity Building: 15 years of experience designing and implementing strategies and action plans to build R&I institutional capacity in research organisations, techno-parks, TTOs, and public agencies.

·   Technology Transfer & Commercialisation: Led initiatives to enhance the valorisation of research results, technology scouting, start-up scaling, and access to finance — with a focus on deep-tech innovations.

·        EU Framework Programmes (FP7, H2020, Horizon Europe):

o   Evaluator for EC Horizon 2020, Eurostars and Interreg Next Med programs.

o   Successfully supported the development of 15 Horizon 2020 projects for deep-tech start-ups.

o   Delivered over 100 training programmes and awareness-raising events on Horizon 2020/Europe, proposal writing, partner search, and consortium building.

o   Active in international consortium formation and coordination, especially within EUROMED and IPA contexts.

·        Mentoring & Advisory Services:

o   Certified World Bank trainer and accredited mentor for TÜBİTAK entrepreneurship and innovation programmes.

o   Provided long-term business development and innovation mentorship to over 100 start-ups and SMEs.

o   Member of two Angel Investor Networks, with strong links to investor, research, and business communities.

·        Policy and Programme Advisory: Expert in preparing feasibility studies, business plans, needs assessments, and supporting public institutions in the alignment of national strategies with EU policy objectives (e.g. ERA, EIT, Green Deal, Digital Europe).

·       IPA & EU Project Leadership: Partner or key expert in 4 IPA-funded projects, with at least one year of leadership in managing EU-financed technical assistance.

Institutional Networks & Recognition

·        Strong and ongoing collaborations with key innovation actors in Türkiye, including TÜBİTAK, KOSGEB, Ankara Chamber of Industry, and Turkish Exporters Assembly.

·        Close cooperation with EIT KICs and RIS Hubs over the last 8 years, through joint activities, stakeholder engagement, and pilot implementation.

·        Selected as one of the 20 emerging Turkish leaders by the U.S. State Department (2014), with a focus on studying US entrepreneurship ecosystems in Silicon Valley.

·        Recognised in 2023 as one of the 14 most influential women leaders worldwide by the U.S. State Department and the Fortune 500 Global Women Mentoring Program, connecting global women leaders with top Fortune 500 executives.