ISTANBUL, Jan. 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The largest
global innovation platform for startups and corporations from
Silicon Valley, Plug and Play, is partnering with Turkish
Employers' Association of Metal Industries, MESS in launching its
newest location in Istanbul, Turkey. This office located at MEXT (MESS
Technology Center) and designed and launched by MESS, will focus on
connecting startups, corporations, and investors working on
innovating the automotive, energy, logistics, steel and durable
consumer goods industries. The innovation hub is scheduled to run
its first official startup accelerator program in early 2021.
"We have been building innovation platforms focused on
mobility and IoT worldwide in locations such as Silicon
Valley, Stuttgart, Detroit,
Shanghai and Tokyo. With our startups, we can bring
efficiency and cost savings in the automotive, manufacturing and
logistics industries. Through this new operation here, we will be
able to connect Istanbul to
Silicon Valley, China,
Singapore, Germany, and the rest of our global network,
and continue to foster collaboration and
innovation," said Saeed Amidi, Founder and CEO of
Plug and Play. "Industries have been going through an incredible
transformation with advancements in electrification, connected and
autonomous vehicles, Industry 4.0, logistics and many more. Our
partnership with MESS as a founding partner in Istanbul, which has 250 leading corporations
as members, is a perfect example of how big organizations are
taking the necessary steps to embrace the changes and find
technology outside."
"As the largest employers association of Turkey, digitalization of the Turkish
manufacturing industry is our key priority. We have to benefit from
the opportunities of 4th industrial revolution and
prepare our member companies to the disruptive competition it
brings. This could be best achieved through open innovation and
corporate entrepreneurship. After our MEXT (MESS Technology Center)
and World Economic Forum's Center for 4th Industrial
Revolution projects, in cooperation with Plug and Play, we are
creating a unique ecosystem in Istanbul where our members, startups and
investors interact with each other for open innovation and global
business development" said Özgür Burak Akkol, Chairman of the
Board of MESS. "We are bringing a truly global platform to
İstanbul. While our members will have the opportunity work with the
best start-ups, new entrepreneurs will have ready client at MEXT
where they can test their products. Investor community will select
the best start-ups with proven track record and higher return of
investment. This ecosystem will boost Turkish startup ecosystem. I
invite startups to engage with Plug and Play İstanbul platform to
meet our 250 members as well as investor community" he added.
Underlying the position of Istanbul between Europe and Asia, Akkol stated that Plug and Play Istanbul
Platform aimed to make Istanbul as
the new regional hub for entrepreneurship and innovation. "While
Istanbul is among the
Top 100 Emerging Ecosystem Ranking, we want
Istanbul to be among
Top 30 Global Startup Ecosystems" he further
added.
Plug and Play's accelerator program will identify up to 20
companies to participate in two cohorts annually. The focus will be
on Smart and Digitally Connected Factory, AI Production
Optimization, Intelligent Factory Automation, Smart Tracking &
Supply Chain Monitoring, Advancing Connected and Autonomous
Driving, Supply Chain Optimization, Sensor Technologies,
Predictive Analytics and Machine Learning. Our platform
in Istanbul will offer business development, mentorship,
and networking opportunities for startups, investors, and relevant
industry corporations.
"Launching our journey in Istanbul has been one of my
biggest dreams since I joined Plug and Play four years ago. Our
vision to put Istanbul on the
global map as an innovation hub has found its match with the MESS
leadership. Our office is located at MEXT Technology Center, which
is Turkey's largest, the most innovative, and state of art
technology center. Our partner will bring their network of the
largest corporations in Turkey
work with our global startups find new business and investment
opportunities, and connecting the key stakeholders and industry
experts will bring new ideas in a location ripe for
disruption," said Omer Gozen, Senior Vice President at
Plug and Play.
Corporations, startups, investors, and other industry leaders
interested in Plug and Play İstanbul please visit the website to
learn more and speak to our experts:
www.plugandplaytechcenter.com/istanbul/
About Plug and Play
Plug and Play is a global innovation platform. Headquartered in
Silicon Valley, we have built accelerator programs, corporate
innovation services and an in-house VC to make technological
advancement progress faster than ever before. Since inception in
2006, our programs have expanded worldwide to include a presence in
over 35 locations globally giving startups the necessary resources
to succeed in Silicon Valley and beyond. With over 40,000 startups
and 400 official corporate partners, we have created the ultimate
startup ecosystem in many industries. Companies in our community
have raised over $9 billion in funding, with successful
portfolio exits including Danger, Rappi, Dropbox, Honey, (Sound)
Hound, Lending Club and PayPal.
For more information,
visit https://www.plugandplaytechcenter.com/
About Turkey's Employers
Association of Metal Industries (MESS)
Turkish Employers' Association of Metal Industries (MESS)
represents Turkish metal sector and was established in 1959 in
İstanbul as the first employers' union of the industry. MESS works
for the advancement of industrial relations through constructive
dialogue and knowledge sharing. MESS represents 249 firms serving
the main and supply industries in automotive, iron, steel casting,
and durable goods. These firms include many global brands such as
Bosch, Ford, ABB, Mercedes, Fiat, and MAN. Total contribution of
its members to local economy is more than 60
billion USD. They directly employ 185 thousand people.
As an unconventional employer association, MESS positioned it's
beyond the classical mandate of an employer's union. Shaping the
way for industrial relations and the business life, MESS aims to
ensure sustained peace and harmony at the workplace for the benefit
of its members and their employees, contribute to the growth of
national economy and industrial output, and provide services based
on mutual confidence and dialogue.
For further details about MESS, visit www.mess.org.tr
About MEXT (MESS Technology Center)
MEXT is Turkey's largest, the
most innovative, state of art technology center and it is the
world's largest digital transformation & competence development
center. Within its vision to support its members along their
digital transformation journeys towards Industry 4.0, Turkish
Employers' Association of Metal Industries (MESS) developed an
ecosystem made up of more than 30 globally recognized technology
providers, universities, and institutions to put MEXT into
practice. Built on 8.000 square meters in Istanbul, MEXT provides its visitors with a
model factory, showcases, a training area, office spaces, a
co-working space with ecosystem players, a conference center and
many more.
For further details about MEXT, visit
https://www.mext.org.tr/
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