The winners of the 8th annual “Women in Innovation Program” were announced, with the first prize awarded for a project in the field of defense and cybersecurity. Organized by the Women and Democracy Foundation (KADEM), this program aims to support and mentor women entrepreneurs. Six female entrepreneurs were awarded a total of 1 million TL, with prizes presented by Deputy Minister of Industry and Technology Zekeriya Coştu, Istanbul Governor Davut Gül, and KADEM Trustee Board President Sümeyye Erdoğan Bayraktar.
A Platform for Female Entrepreneurs
This year’s edition of the “Women in Innovation Program” saw 31 finalists, with six projects receiving awards. In a ceremony marking the occasion, successful entrepreneurs received their prizes from top officials. Sümeyye Erdoğan Bayraktar emphasized the critical importance of empowering women entrepreneurs in shaping the future of innovation, stating, “We believe that an innovation ecosystem without women is incomplete. It is not enough to merely adapt to change; we must also become actors and leaders in driving that transformation.”
Bayraktar highlighted Türkiye’s strides in defense and technology through the “National Technology Initiative” and pointed to global incidents, such as targeted attacks in Lebanon and atrocities in Palestine, to underscore the importance of technological independence. “We view the Women in Innovation Program as a strategic initiative, vital to our vision for the ‘Century of Türkiye,'” she added.
Financial Rewards for Innovative Projects
KADEM’s Innovation Camp offers women entrepreneurs training in business creation and project development. At the end of the camp, six entrepreneurs were selected by a panel of judges to receive financial support. They will share a total of 1 million TL in prize money, contingent on fulfilling certain criteria over the next year.
First Place (Pre-Incubation Category): Melike Bağcı, for her project “Merkür Savunma,” which focuses on defense and cybersecurity solutions. She received 225,000 TL for developing wearable drone defense technology to counter cyber and electronic warfare threats.
Second Place (Pre-Incubation Category): Selen Tavtın, for her project “HER,” which uses BioCell technology to create sustainable, zero-waste materials for the leather industry. She was awarded 175,000 TL.
Third Place (Pre-Incubation Category): Eylül Er, for her project “Palgae,” a bio-based elastic packaging that reduces carbon emissions and prevents microplastics in soil. She received 100,000 TL.
In the Incubation Category, winners included:
First Place: Gizem Uysal, for her “Helios Science and Technology” project, which aims to capture carbon from the air and use it to enhance agricultural productivity. Uysal received 225,000 TL.
Second Place: Pınar Oğuz Ekim, for “Advoard Robotics,” developing autonomous vehicle and AI logistics technologies. She was awarded 175,000 TL.
Third Place: Havva Bozkurt, for “BIOPROBIF,” which creates probiotic-based biodegradable food packaging to reduce plastic waste and carbon emissions. Bozkurt received 100,000 TL.
A Long-Term Vision for Women in Innovation
Since its inception in 2015, over 2,000 women entrepreneurs have applied to KADEM’s “Women in Innovation” program, with more than 200 participating in entrepreneurship camps. Sixteen of the program’s graduates have gone on to establish their own companies, and six have secured investment. Many have gained national and international recognition.
KADEM aims to continue fostering female entrepreneurship through access to co-working spaces, mentoring for international projects, and connections to investors. Women in the camp also receive free access to finance, marketing, and customer management tools, positioning them to lead in innovation across diverse industries.
With growing support, the Women in Innovation Program is poised to continue its impact, helping women entrepreneurs break new ground in the technological, scientific, and business arenas. Sümeyye Erdoğan Bayraktar concluded, “We aspire to be a leading brand in supporting women’s entrepreneurship for many years to come.”
