“Dream, dare, do!”

This year’s Big Bang Startup Challenge, organised by ITU Çekirdek and recognised by UBI Global as the world’s best university incubator in the “University-based Incubators” category, will take place physically at Uniq Istanbul on 13-14 December. The TOP 50 startups that will take the stage across eight different industry verticals have been announced. The event will be hosted by M. Serdar Kuzuloğlu and will also feature a performance by renowned artist Mustafa Sandal.

The TOP 50 startups have been selected for ITU Çekirdek’s Big Bang Startup Challenge, an incubation centre that provides 360-degree support to entrepreneurs aiming to commercialise their technological products and services on their growth journey. The event, which brings together startups with the local and global entrepreneurial ecosystem, will be held on 13-14 December 2023 under the theme “The Braves” at the Brave Big Bang stage. The top 50 startups of the year will come together in eight different industry verticals. The event, which connects startups with awards and investments, will once again be hosted by M. Serdar Kuzuloğlu. On the first day of the two-day Big Bang, the TOP 50 startups will present their pitches divided into industry verticals; on the second day, the awards and investments for the startups will be announced. The excitement and enthusiasm will be kept high with special shows and a DJ performance prepared for the event, including a performance by the famous artist Mustafa Sandal. Big Bang attendees, who will be hosting the entrepreneurial ecosystem, will have the opportunity to network and discover many technological innovations through startup booths and experience areas set up in the foyer. The Big Bang event, which announced over TL 341 million in awards, investments and cash support for startups last year and has witnessed dozens of success stories so far, is open and free to all technology enthusiasts.

ITU Çekirdek has supported more than 4,200 technology startups to date

Supporting an average of 500 startups per year and generating millions of dollars in added value for the Turkish economy, ITU Çekirdek Incubation Centre has supported more than 4,200 technology startups over the past decade, helping 1,400 of them to become companies. ITU Çekirdek has helped startups create 10,000 jobs and secure $150 million in investments. The total valuation of the startups in ITU Çekirdek’s portfolio has reached $1.5 billion.

The startups taking the stage at Big Bang are opening the door to global expansion

Over the past 12 years, hundreds of startups that developed their technologies with the support of ITU Çekirdek have accelerated their growth and become global success stories through the awards and investments they received on the Big Bang stage. These startups include those that have established distribution networks in more than 40 countries, secured investments from Silicon Valley, disrupted industries and are considered potential unicorns of the future. As in previous years, Big Bang 2023 is expected to produce highly talked-about startups.

The power of our supporters

At Big Bang, the following supporters are empowering start-ups and investing in the technologies of the future: Elginkan Foundation as Diamond Sponsors; EPDK|Elder, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality-Istanbul Planning Agency and Automotive Industry Exporters’ Association (OİB) as Platinum Sponsors; AGESA, Akbank, AKSigorta, Aktif Ventures, Aveon Global Sigorta, Anadolu Efes, Anadolu ISUZU, Coşkunöz Education Foundation, EnerjiSA, Ford Otosan, ForInvest, Golrang Innovation Center, Smart Solar Technologies, Teknasyon, Yalçıner Patent and Yapı Kredi Technology as Gold Sponsors.

The TOP 50 startups of Big Bang Startup Challenge 2023 are:

“Automotive & Mobility” Stage Startups

AcademicSight: An AI-based system for automatic detection of quality defects in manufacturing processes.

Driven AVS: A digital racing coach that helps drivers improve their performance on the track.

Newky: IoT device and application that turns smartphones into secure digital keys.

Sutech Otonom Teknoloji A.Ş: Electric, eco-friendly, autonomous and remote-controlled shared water mobility service.

Pina Minds: Development of robots that can perform different tasks with a single kinesthetic gesture.

Powea: Software for optimising electric vehicle charging stations based on renewable energy ratio and grid suitability.

Wyseye (Hasar.AI): AI-powered platform for fast, accurate and objective vehicle damage assessment.

ZGN Otonom: Modular and portable solutions for autonomous operation.

Start-ups in the “energy” phase.

Buradayım: Techniques for locating faults in electrical lines using electrical field theory, power system analysis and data analysis.

DES – Wave Energy Conversion Project: The world’s largest wave energy conversion project.

INNOFLUX Teknoloji: Centralised machine vision software for maintenance processes in energy-focused infrastructure companies.

Regenas: Technology for the production of regenerated mineral oil without additional waste.

Rumitech: Sustainable energy systems that store hybrid solar and wind energy and operate off-grid.

SC&P-Smart City & Partners: Proactive decision support systems for environmental and disaster management using satellite imagery, remote sensing, IoT technologies and risk analysis.

DFA Platform: Platform providing metering, data collection, analysis and management solutions for diverse needs from electricity distribution companies to end users.

TUMURLY: Manufacturer and developer of smart solar and wind turbines.

ITU SEED stage start-ups

Develhope: Coding  training camp with a ‘learn now, pay later’ model to tackle youth unemployment.

Ender Turing: Language analytics platform providing rapid value in 24 languages to improve sales and customer experience.

Geojet: Localised social and search marketing tool for online maps and local search.

Nomis: Identity protocol and AI-powered wallet scoring infrastructure to help Web3 teams grow their products, services and communities faster.

Pulsetto: Wearable vagus nerve stimulator to reduce stress, alleviate anxiety and improve sleep.

“Marketplace & Platform” stage startups

FanSupport: The first and only digital platform for conditional support of sports clubs.

LinqiApp: AI-powered solution to solve English language practice problems for 3.5 billion people in 175 countries using gamification and peer learning.

GotoSailing.com: Independent online platform for yacht rentals and enjoyable sailing holidays with a unique user experience.

Oniki: Hybrid event technology that enables measurable, efficient and enjoyable B2B matchmaking for conferences, congresses, summits and B2B meetings.

Tiyatronet: Digital theatre platform to provide plays and stage works to those with limited access to the arts, and to generate regular income for theatre actors.

“AI & Blockchain” stage startups

CopeTract: Digitising contracts by storing them on the blockchain.

Dejure AI: AI-powered search engine for legal professionals.

Intersection: Algorithmic trading platform providing optimisation and transaction solutions for users’ stock exchange accounts.

OneNewOne: Recruitment management system with AI-based Smart Candidate Classification, Matching, Smart Interview, Smart Automation and Smart Offer modules.

u-xer | Quality Museum Information Technologies Inc.: RPA and test automation products to automate on-screen tasks.

Utilify: Blockchain-based community interaction platform.

“Digital Arts” Stage Startups

Archade: AI-integrated marketplace project for designers.

Arkerobox: Educational box games that help children explore the world’s cultural heritage through innovative learning methods.

Handler – handshake with AI: Optimises and automates digital game development processes using AI; provides integration services to other game companies.

Soundbank: Allows music listeners, fans or investors to participate in and benefit from future music revenues by tokenising music.

V-Risetech: AI-generated MOCAP data to create video content with text and dynamic camera movement in virtual studios.

“Insurtech & Wellbeing” Stage Startups.

Aivigo: AI-powered digital health platform offering personalised solutions for the prevention and treatment of work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

Bambala: Provides convenient, nutritious, shelf-stable, additive-free products for babies over 6 months and easy access for mothers through digital solutions.

CS ENGINE TEST: Detects combustion chamber leaks in car engines.

Mistikist: Neurotechnology application using visual and auditory stimuli to reduce stress and improve concentration and work performance.

Yanhak.com: AI-powered platform for personalising and managing employee income and entitlements.

“Sustainability & Smart Cities” Stage Startups

Avisoff: New generation of bird deterrent laser systems that prevent bird damage without harming the birds.

Beespenser: Prototyping device for the production of electronic circuit boards.

Captanomy: Innovative SaaS platform that helps manufacturers and exporters measure and reduce carbon emissions, benchmark performance and obtain favourable tariffs for green products.

DGMOS: Digital SaaS services for effective and safe management of dangerous goods processes in compliance with international agreements.

Hemp Block: Carbon negative, self-insulating, fire resistant, recyclable hemp block product for building healthy structures in response to the climate crisis.

LIDAR for autonomous driving and obstacle detection: LIDAR solution for automotive and robotic systems.

Packard Air Conditioning Technology Inc: Solar air conditioning and refrigeration systems.

Parkera Arge Ve Sürdürülebilir Teknolojiler Ticaret Anonim Şirketi: AI-powered mobile application that helps drivers quikly find parking spaces and reduce CO2 emissions.