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 

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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/

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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.

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The Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF) and the Small and Medium Business Development Agency (SMBDA) under the patronage of the Ministries of Economy and Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan are inviting startups to Baku for the Azerbaijan Culture Investment Summit 2021. The event will see the merging of the worlds of culture and business as we connect young businesses to the world of finance and investments while introducing ICYF’s initiative “Young Business Hub” with its special goals to the Turkic nations start-up sector, their entrepreneurs and investors.

The three day summit is organized under the theme “Toward Enhancing Intra-OIC Investment Opportunities: Investment to Sustain Peace and Development in Karabakh“ and will contain a series of fairs, panels, cultural events, exhibitions and networking sessions and other events. The  panel discussions will take place centered around the same theme. Moic activities will take place meanwhile, and a MOIC declaration will be announced at the end of the panel. On the third and last day of the summit, a special panel will take place to discuss the recovery of the cultural heritage in Karabakh in the post occupation era. Cultural tours, photo and visual exhibitions, and other cultural activities will take place side by side at the investment summit.

Startups will take their fair share of the summit under the verticals: Food & Agri-Tech, Green Industry, Fintech, Games and Applications, Environment & Renewable Energy, Smart Tech, Aviation & Space Tech, and Logistic & Smart City. In the context of the business fair, around 20 leading innovative international start- ups and SMEs will showcase their innovations in 3 days fair format of high-level participants. Investment pitching will also take place in the areas of Food & Agri-Tech, Green Industry, Fintech, Games and Applications, Environment & Renewable Energy, Smart Tech, Aviation & Space Tech, Logistic & Smart City

A CLOSED ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION is also planned between Domestic & International Investors, Governments Officials and Representatives of the Youth focusing on  Economic empowerment of the Karabakh/Azerbaijan for reaching sustainable development. A visit to Karabakh is also planned within the cultural activities of the summit.

To apply for the call please visit: https://bit.ly/3l9IZT

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When thinking of innovation, we usually think of new technologies developed by companies as engines for their own growth. However, there is more than that to innovation. It doesn’t just help companies grow; it also helps the society prosper.

Social innovation is increasingly recognized around the world. However, many of us are not sure how it happens or why we need social innovation.

What is social innovation?

• The word “innovation” typically conjures thoughts of science, technology, and progress. But, when paired with the word “social,” it takes on a human element. “Social innovation” becomes the betterment of our existence—progress not forthe sake of prosperity, but for the sake of people.

Social innovation means a new way of doing things, an innovative element in a given context. It represents a break with the usual solutions proposed and provides a creative solution to social and economic problems that cannot be solved by the market or the State. It thereby improves individual and collective well-being.

Social innovations often occur at the edges of systems, or where two or more “siloed” disciplines or sectors meet. For example, the fields of social entrepreneurship and social finance integrate economic, social and environmental outcomes. Innovation also occurs when a solution from one domain is transferred to another.

Social innovation has many definitions, but at its core it supports people and organizations to co-create, learn, adapt and scale more effective solutions to entrenched social problems—making our human and natural systems more adaptive and resilient.

Why social innovation is important

In today’s hyperconnected world, one country’s societal problems can become ours. Nations are facing slow economic growth, financial instability, political turmoil, hunger, poverty, and disease. These are all social issues that must be addressed, one way or the other, and such big problems generate big business opportunities.

Therefore, social innovation take place to bring about positive change by addressing these complex problems at the root. Social innovation is a process, product, or program that profoundly affects the way a given system operates by changing it in a way that reduces the vulnerability of people and the environment in that system, with the goal of improving the well-being of people and communities.

As a result of positive social innovation, many elements of a system become more resilient, improving their ability to cope with future challenges.

Moreover, Social innovation is helping to solve some of the world’s most pressing problems with new solutions such as fair trade, distance learning, mobile money transfer, restorative justice, and zero-carbon housing. In the process of creating solutions, it is also profoundly changing beliefs, basic practices, resources, and social power structures. Social innovation provides a unique opportunity to step back from a narrow way of thinking about social enterprises, business engagement, and to recognize instead the interconnectedness of various factors and stakeholders.

Would you like to become a successful social innovator yourself? Join us https://iincubation.com

The post What is social innovation? first appeared on Young Business Hub.

The International Incubation Center, which was established under the umbrella of the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF) with the support of Technology Development Zone (Bilişim Vadisi) and opened by the Investment Office of the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey, awaits new entrepreneurs.

International Incubation Center will provide support tostartups, product developers, local or foreign entrepreneurs living in Turkey who are at the prototype stage. International Incubation Center aims to create new opportunities for entrepreneurs by using global knowledge, to transform the knowledge produced into social and economic benefits and to be an innovative center.

We are so pleased to announce that we are welcoming our first pre-incubation and incubation startups for this year.

What will International Incubation Center (IIC) do?

International Incubation Center designed a collaborative program that will help new startups to grow their businesses. International Incubation Center aims to bring promising startups from all over the world to the city Istanbul. The center will provide support for startups during all stages of their activities and help in various areas, such as providing; financial and legal information, technical assistance, getting a workspace, seed funding, mentoring, networking opportunities, process management services, consultancy on creating a business model, training for marketing activities, and creating a brand management strategy in their pre-incubation and incubation period.

Calls will be made twice a year for training programs that will last for 6 months. In the 6-month programs carried out at the center, the trainings needed by all entrepreneurs will be provided and these trainings will be supported by events and summits.

For more information about our summits ; https://youngbusinesshub.org/summits-details/

https://bakusummit.icyforum.org/ 

What is pre-incubation?

Pre-incubation is the process that usually involves a business idea or project, where startups that have started working but have not been incorporated yet to make the idea come true. International Incubation Center will help these startups in their incorporation journey by providing; training, consultancy and mentoring.

What is incubation?

At the end of the pre-incubation period, entrepreneurs who complete the business plan and are ready for incorporation, will get to the incubation stage. During the incubation period, entrepreneurs continue to need physical facilities and training, consultancy and mentoring services, similar to the pre-incubation phases. The length of the incubation period varies between 1-3 years depending on the sector of the startups.

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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  ?

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