We are thrilled to announce the 3rd Term Call for Applications for The International Incubation Center (IIC) which is the initiative of the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF), IT Valley, and the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye Investment Office.

The International Incubation Center produces quality and competitive entrepreneurs by using innovative global trends to adapt them to the digital age. The center focuses on enhancing youth empowerment, innovation, training, startup and entrepreneurial opportunities, and engagement in startup ecosystem building in OIC and beyond. IIC offers innovative solutions, distinguishing start-ups with two different programs as Pre-Incubation and Incubation.

Calls are made twice a year for training programs lasting 6 months. During this period, successful entrepreneurs will be provided with training and these training sessions will be supported by relevant events and summits. While entrepreneurs can benefit from International Incubation Center’s technological infrastructure and laboratories, they will also access the wide global network.

The services offered are:

• Fully enabled dedicated office space
• Workshops and training
• Consultancy services
• Mentorship and coaching
• Global networking
• International programs and the opportunity to attend investment summits
• Global funding and industry access

International Incubation Center will provide start-ups with the opportunity to open up to the global market in the following verticals.

• Fintech
• Micro Mobility
• Sportstech
• Remote Working
• Games & Applications
• Robotic Delivery
• Cloudtech & DevOps
• Aggrotech
• Cybersecurity
• Edtech
• Big Data
• Smart Cities
• Spacetech
• Healthtech
• E-commerce
• Mobility Tech
• Nanotech
• Foodtech
• Insurtech
• Climate Tech
• Food Delivery
• Software as a service (SaaS)
• Biotech
• Smart Logistics
• Internet of Things (IoT)

Eligibility Criteria

• Entrepreneurs/Startups may be an individual or groups of individuals working towards the development of innovative products/ processes/ services and must have a scalable business model with a high potential for employment generation or wealth creation.
• Product/service can be developed or at the prototype stage (past ideation stage).
• The developed technology should be innovative and/or address existing market needs.
• Applicants clearly demonstrate business cases, value propositions, and competitive advantages.
• Applicants should be self-driven, resilient, committed, and coachable.

Who Can Apply?

• Entrepreneurs/Startups who are from OIC countries will be the priority of the International Incubation Center (IIC) applicants.
• Applicants must obtain a minimum of six months of valid residence permit in Türkiye.
• Application is open to those between the ages of 18-35.
• Applicants cannot be members of more than one incubation center. Applications of those who have a membership in another incubation center will be rejected.

Important! Only selected participants will be informed.

Application Deadline: 10 January 2023

For more information; incubation@icyforum.org

APPLY NOW:

https://icyfdigital.com/projectCallApplication/13 

The post IIC 3rd Term Startup Applications first appeared on Young Business Hub.

In accordance with the ICYF‘s 7 pillars, which include complete economic empowerment of youth, 47 startups flew to Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, to present their newest innovations and pitch their business concepts to potential investors .The two-day mega event, which combined business and culture, was a huge success. However, it did more than that. It was Azerbaijan’s way of extending an open invitation to the rest of the world, signaling that the nation is now welcoming foreign investment and business, particularly in the recently liberated regions, which are crucial to the country’s culture and economy as a whole. The event, which was sponsored by the Ministry of Economy and Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, was held under the theme “Towards Youth-Oriented Future” and was organized by the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF) and the Small and Medium Business Development Agency (SMBDA) of the Republic of Azerbaijan. 

Investments and young people’s entrepreneurship 304 applications were received from 50 different countries; 20 startups were chosen from 12 different countries, and 27 startups were chosen from Azerbaijan. In total, 47 startups attended the Forum.

Our startups are chosen from those in the early and growth stages and are working in the fields of food, agritech, smart tech, environment, renewable energy, fintech, games, applications, green industry, aviation, space tech, VR, healthtech, smart city, robotics and AI, and more. 

Panels, Startup Boosters, Gala Dinner, Site Visits

The event includes five distinct panels, four startup boosters, a gala dinner, and Site visits to incubation centers for startups and investors. It is anticipated that conversations would lead to our startups cooperating and receiving funding. 

30 investors from 12 different countries attended our meeting as foreign investors, including global fund representatives.  Accelerators and incubators in the Azerbaijan ecosystem have discussed collaborating to make joint investments and plan initiatives. The conference has given Azerbaijani and regional businesspeople a fantastic opportunity to expand their markets internationally 

The investment and youth entrepreneurship In total 350 invitees from more than 30 countries attended the Forum including qualified startups and investors, panelists, CEOs of national and international institutions, representatives of OIC countries and 20 ambassadors in Azerbaijan.

Open ceremony

At the opening ceremony for the Azerbaijan Investment and Youth Entrepreneurship Forum, which took place on November 17 in Baku, attendees included ICYF President H.E. Taha Ayhan, OIC delegations, and ministers from the Republics of Azerbaijan and Tatarstan (RF). 

Agenda:

5 panel sessions were held for 2 days: 

1- In the first panel session, titled “Human Capital and Entrepreneurship in the OIC Countries” was finished with high-level delegations from the OIC, COMSTECH, the Republic of Azerbaijan, and the Ministry of Youth & Sports of Tatarstan (RF).

2- In the second panel discussion “Youth as drivers of innovation and technology”. Industry leaders and experts provided an in-depth study of the most recent technological trends and the young people who are driving them.

3- In the third panel session “Powering Startup Growth: Building Effective Investment Ecosystem”. We discussed the startup ecosystem and the expansion of small and medium-sized businesses with our expert panelists.

4- In the fourth panel session “Key Players of the Future: Global Entrepreneurs” fourth round table conversation with experts from KOBIA, the International Council for Small Business, Eleven Kings Game, TURAN, Decapolis, Epoint, and Sabah.Lab was finished.

5- In the fifth panel discussion “Road to Unicorn: Investor Expectations,” was held with participation from professionals from ICYF, Startup Wise Guy, RE-PIE Asset Management Co., Turkey, SGlobe, Turkey, Dubai Future District Fund, and Khazar Ventures

At the occasion where there were ten or more deals done and four possible investors will be announced soon.

These panel discussions featured 31 panelists representing 14 different nations.

Press

• https://www.patronlarinsesi.com/icyf-azerbaycan-yatirim-ve-genc-girisimcilik-forumu-nda-girisimci-gencleri-yatirimcilarla-bulusturdu/869/
• https://www.yenisafak.com/dunya/islam-dunyasinin-girisimci-gencleri-bakude-yatirimcilarla-bulustu-3890565
• https://www.adalet.tv/azerbaycan-yatirim-ve-genc-girisimcilik-forumu-baku-de-yapildi/8554/
• https://www.iletisim.gov.tr/turkce/haberler/detay/cumhurbaskani-erdogan-azerbaycan-yatirim-ve-genc-girisimcilik-forumuna-mesaj-gonderdi
• https://www.haberturk.com/genc-girisimcilerin-baku-cikarmasi-3539613-ekonomi
• https://habergezgini.com/azerbaycan-yatirim-ve-genc-girisimcilik-forumu/

The post Azerbaijan Investment & Youth Entrepreneurship Forum 2022 first appeared on Young Business Hub.

The Forum aims to bring local and international organizations/companies, policymakers, government officials, entrepreneurs, experts, investors, VCs, businesspeople, CEOs of top corporations together to discuss how to strengthen the startup ecosystem in Azerbaijan, Eurasia and in all OIC Region and how to develop a new vision to support youth entrepreneurship. 

The two-day Forum will contain a series of fairs, panels, cultural events, exhibitions, networking sessions, round table discussions and workshops. The panel discussions will be based on the startup investment, youth entrepreneurship and development of the startup ecosystem.  

Startups will be selected from the following verticals:  

• Food & Agri-Tech 
• Green Industry 
• Fintech 
• Games and Applications 
• Environment & Renewable Energy 

• Smart Tech 
• Aviation & Space Tech 
• Logistic & Smart City 
• Robotics and AI 

In the context of the Forum, leading innovative international startups and SMEs will showcase their innovations for two days for high-level participants and will present their pitch decks to the global investors.  

Closed roundtable discussions are also planned with local & international investors, government officials and representatives of the youth focusing on economic empowerment of the youth in Eurasia, in OIC region and beyond for reaching sustainable development.  

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA 

• Azerbaijan Investment and Youth Entrepreneurship Forum application is open to startups of the OIC Member States and Muslim minorities in Non-OIC Countries. 
• Aged between 18-35 

• Ability to communicate in English 

*Visa support, travel expenses, accommodation, and meals will be provided by the Organizing Committee 

 Important! Only selected participants will be informed. 

Deadline: October 25,2022

Apply Now: https://icyfdigital.com/EventF2/37

The post Azerbaijan Investment & Youth Entrepreneurship Forum Apply 2022 first appeared on Young Business Hub.

The International Incubation Center produces quality and competitive entrepreneurs by using innovative global trends to adapt them to the digital age. The center focuses on enhancing youth empowerment, innovation, training, startup and entrepreneurial opportunities, and engagement in startup ecosystem building in OIC and beyond. IIC offers innovative solutions, distinguishing start-ups with two different programs as Pre-Incubation and Incubation.

Calls are made twice a year for training programs lasting 6 months. During this period, successful entrepreneurs will be provided with training and these training sessions will be supported by relevant events and summits. While entrepreneurs can benefit from International Incubation Center’s technological infrastructure and laboratories, they will also access the wide global network.

The services offered are:

• Fully enabled dedicated office space
• Workshops and training
• Consultancy services
• Mentorship and coaching
• Global networking
• International programs and the opportunity to attend investment summits
• Global funding and industry access

International Incubation Center will provide the start-ups with the opportunity to open up to the global market in the following verticals.

• Fintech
• Micro Mobility
• Sportstech
• Remote Working
• Games & Applications
• Robotic Delivery
• Cloudtech & DevOps
• Aggrotech
• Cybersecurity
• Edtech
• Big Data
• Smart Cities
• Spacetech
• Healthtech
• E-commerce
• Mobility Tech
• Nanotech
• Foodtech
• Insurtech
• Climate Tech
• Food Delivery
• Software as a service (SaaS)
• Biotech
• Smart Logistics
• Internet of Things (IoT)

Eligibility Criteria

• Entrepreneurs/Startups may be an individual or groups of individuals working towards the development of innovative products/ processes/ services and must have a scalable business model with a high potential for employment generation or wealth creation.
• Product/service can be developed or at the prototype stage (past ideation stage).
• The developed technology should be innovative and/or address existing market needs.
• Applicants clearly demonstrate business case, value proposition, and competitive advantage.
• Applicants should be self-driven, resilient, committed, and coachable.

Who Can Apply?

• Entrepreneurs/Startups who live in OIC countries will be the priority of the International Incubation Center (IIC) applicants.
• Applicants must obtain a minimum of six months of valid residence permit in Türkiye.
• Application is open to those between the ages of 18-35.
• Applicants cannot be members of more than one incubation center. Applications of those who have a membership in another incubation center will be rejected.

Important! Only selected participants will be informed.

This call ends on the 10th of July 2022 and invites all OIC youth to grab this opportunity.

For more information; incubation@icyforum.org

The post IIC Summer Term Startup Applications first appeared on Young Business Hub.

March 28 to 30, 2022 (HYBRID) / Dubai Expo, UAE

“Connecting Minds towards Achieving the SDGs through Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Investment Post COVID 19”

Under the banner of the League of Arab States at the Dubai Expo Pavilion, WEIF 2022, as an integral part of the Annual Investment Meeting 2022 was organized by UNIDO ITPO / AICEI Bahrain. This Forum was an opportunity for youth and entrepreneurs from all over the world to be gathered under a conducive ecosystem and sharing experiences and innovative ideas to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals through Entrepreneurship, Investment, Technology, and digitalization

The 4th edition of the WEIF-World Entrepreneurs Investment Forum has been supported by several local, regional as well as international partners including ICYF. The WEIF has played a vital role in exposing the power of Entrepreneurs and Innovators in creating partnerships to secure a prosperous future and sustainable solutions for the global challenges, focusing on the Arab region and Africa. The Forum emphasized promoting government and financial institution best practices and developed an action plan towards reaching entrepreneurial resilience after the COVID-19 era, creating a common ground for entrepreneurs around the world to develop co-investment and trade facilitation.

“Achieving the SDGs through Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Investment Post COVID 19” was the main addressed theme by the WEIF 2022, and under which, the Forum encompassed many sessions and events. In addition to the numerous high-level sessions and panel sessions, workshops, and Entrepreneur to Entrepreneur bilateral meetings which were organized over the three-day event, paving the way for high-level representatives and entrepreneurs to discuss investment and business opportunities. The WEIF 2022 also included numerous sessions on entrepreneurship and innovation, namely: Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation Conducive Ecosystem, Creative Entrepreneurs – Orange Economy, Technology, Digitalization and Innovation, Green and Blue Economy. 

By its participation in the WEIF 2022, the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum aimed to achieve sustainable development through entrepreneurship and innovation by creating partne

rships between entrepreneurs. ICYF received 342 applications from 72 countries, among them 143 applicants applied from 25 Asian and CIS countries. Regarding the gender structure of applicants’ profiles, only ¼ of them were female with a number of 92 applicants, and 250 of them were male.

9 startups from 7 countries (Turkey, Azerbaijan, Indonesia, Northern Cyprus, Lebanon, Kazakhstan, and Malaysia), and from diverse categories were selected by ICYF to participate in the Forum: Octopus, Derivative, Digital Wisers, Parkit Malaysia, Portuma, Caretta Robotics, Metafluence, FocusED now, and Kepul.

In the name of Young Business Hub, its CEO Mr. Sami Serdar took part of the event as a panellist, and attended workshops, high-level panel sessions, and bilateral meetings and networked with attendees showcasing the role of ICYF and YBH in assisting projects‘ development and youth economic empowerment.

The post World Entrepreneurs Investment Forum-WEIF 2022 first appeared on Young Business Hub.

Original Text: CLİCK HERE

The post Call for Applications for the International Incubation Center first appeared on Young Business Hub.

55 startups flew to the heart of Azerbaijan, Baku to showcase their latest innovations and pitch their ideas to potential investors in line with ICYF’s 7 pillars which include total economic empowerment of the youth. The successful 3-day culture meets business style mega event was more than just an amalgamation of culture and business as it also served as an open invitation to the world from Azerbaijan as the country opens its doors to businesses and investment especially in the newly liberated regions that are an integral part of Azerbaijan culture and the economy at large. The event, which was organized by the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF) and the Small and Medium Business Development Agency (SMBDA) of the Republic of Azerbaijan under the patronage of the Ministries of Economy and Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, was held under the theme “Towards Enhancing Intra-OIC Investment Opportunities: Investment to Sustain Peace and Development in Karabakh”.

55 startups from 16 different countries participated in the investment and culture summit. Our startups are selected from the early and growth stages and they are working on the verticals of food, agritech, smarttech, logistics, smart city, environment, renewable energy, fintech, games, application, green industry, aviation, space tech, VR, healthtech.

During the program, it is planned to conduct 170 online and 150+ offline meetings. As a result of other negotiations, it is expected that cooperation and investment will arise from our other startups.

As foreign investors, 29 investors including global fund representatives from 16 different countries, attended our summit. Global investors with a fund size of more than 500 million dollars were allowed to directly contact Azerbaijani startups and accelerators. Incubation centers in the Azerbaijan ecosystem have had cooperation talks with accelerators to make joint investments and organize programs. This summit has created a great opportunity for the entrepreneurs of Azerbaijan and the region to open up to the global.

At the event with 10+ deals and news will be coming soon along with 4 potential investment  ?

The post Azerbaijan Investment and Culture Summit first appeared on Young Business Hub.

“It’s time again for the 3rd Take Off International Startup Summit, organized in partnership with Turkish Technology Team (T3) Foundation, The Ministry of Industry and Technology, and the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey’s Investment Office on 20-22 September 2021 in Istanbul…”

More Information: Click here

The post Take-off International Startup Summit first appeared on Young Business Hub.

The International Entrepreneurship Center is coming to life in Istanbul under the auspices of the Investment Office of the Presidency of Turkey. A cooperation protocol was signed for the center to be established by the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF), which works for over 600 million youths in the OIC region, and the Bilişim Vadisi, Turkey’s largest thematic technopark.

The cooperation protocol was signed at the Investment Office of the Presidency of Turkey in Beşiktaş with the participation of Ahmet Burak Dağlıoğlu, President of the Investment Office of the Presidency of Turkey, Taha Ayhan, President of ICYF, and Ahmet Serdar Ibrahimcioğlu, General Manager of Bilişim Vadisi. The the center, which will open its doors to international young entrepreneurs living or studying in Turkey, aims to provide young people with the opportunities they need.

Entrepreneurship courses will be given within the framework, support will be offered in the commercialization process, consulting and mentoring will be carried the center will serve on its campus in Istanbul under the leadership of the Investment Office of the Turkish Presidency and the Bilişim Vadisi under the coordination of ICYF.

In the signing ceremony, Taha Ayhan, President of ICYF sayed “ We are here to spread the importance that Turkey attaches to entrepreneurship, youth entrepreneurship, and youth economic development to the world. I believe that the center we have established here will be very useful primarily in terms of Turkey and Istannbul being and Entrepreneurship Center for young people and spreading Turkey’s success in development over the past 20 years to other countries”

The president of the Investment Office of the presidency of Turkey, Ahmet Burak Dağlıoğlu, also stressed the importance of the opening of the center for Istanbul and Turkey as the hub of entrepreneurship. He said “ As you already know, for many international events Istanbul had become the gathering point, and during the pandemic we observed the interest of international students participating in online activities, especially in studies aimed at technological entrepreneurship, who came to Turkey and continued their work here. And the establishment of this center will make istanbul a global hub for startups and entrepreneurs.”

Ahmet Serdar Ibrahimcioğlu, General Manager of Bilişim Vadisi, further emphasized the importance of the opening of the center in forming a productive environment for entrepreneurs. He said “ Our country(Turkey) has brought together the truths needed for the formation of a productive ecosystem in the name of entrepreneurship, especially in recent years. We want to present the fertile ground for the benefit of international entrepreneurs in our country.”

To know more what this center is set to achieve and opportunities it provides to the youth please read this blog post: https://youngbusinesshub.org/entrepreneurship-center-blog/

The post ICYF signed a protocol to open Innovative Entrepreneurship Center in Istanbul first appeared on Young Business Hub.

H.E. Khandker Anwarul Islam, Cabinet Secretary, Cabinet Division, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. and H.E. Md. Akhter Hossain, Secretary of the Ministry of Youth & Sports, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh was also present as the Special Guests at this programme and highlighted the role of digitalisation and knowledge exchange in fueling the development of OIC member states and observers.

The Ceremony was chaired by  H.E. Md. Azharul Islam Khan, Director General, Department of Youth Development of Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Government of The people’s Republic of Bangladesh who appreciated the selection of Dhaka as the youth capital of 2020 in the year that Bangladesh is celebrating the centenary of its founding father and the Golden Jubilee of its independence.

His excellency the chair speaker explained the aims of Dhaka ESEC. Dhaka Entrepreneurship, Skills & Employment Camp aims to create a platform to bring together successful IT start-ups from Bangladesh and other OIC Member States, investors, mentors, founders, governmental authorities, international institutions, ecosystem influencer, and sectoral partners within OIC global network. By training pre-seed/seed/early-stage startups, ESEC will increase their knowledge on the market, business model, and enhance their presentation, management and networking skills.

Furthermore, the training will build the capacity of start-ups, provide professional guidance, create global connections, improve decision making skills, and provide necessary training to improve employability skills.

Several stakeholders put huge effort in organizing this camp, the primary ones including OIC, ICYF, and several Ministries of Bangladesh: Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Department of Youth Development. Priority areas were distinguished as Smart Cities & Clean Tech, FarmTech, Smart Logistics (Micromobility & Delivery), EdTech, TravelTech and Cross Border.

More Information: Click here

The post Dhaka Entrepreneurship, Skills & Employment Camp first appeared on Young Business Hub.