Sakarya University primarily provides services that support the economic empowerment of all its stakeholders within the scope of community anti-poverty programmes. Within the scope of these services, it primarily carries out lifelong education programs that support the development of society. Additionally, Teknokent and Technology Transfer Office, which support entrepreneurs in the region, provide services or support these activities. In addition, it enables students to gain entrepreneurial competence with the Entrepreneurship and Project Management course. Sakarya University has many units and programs to support local entrepreneurs.
Sakarya University Continuing Education Center (SAUSEM) conducts more than a hundred training and certificate programs for both entrepreneurs and individuals who aim to develop or acquire skills (https://sausem.sakarya.edu.tr/egitimler/hepsi).
Sakarya University provides the supports for the start-up of sustainable businesses through relevant education and resources and provides financial, offices, employees, interns, R&D infrastructure, and laboratory support to the establishment of hundreds of businesses operating in various sectors.
Teknokent, in which Sakarya University is the largest partner, and its Business Incubation Center offer workspaces or offices to innovators, entrepreneurs and start-up businesses (http://www.sakaryateknokent.com/girisimcilik-ekosistemi). Start-ups are required to prepare projects in order to continue to stay in Teknokent or Business Incubation Center (http://www.sakaryateknokent.com/basvuru-ve-karar-sureci). During their projects, they are provided with a working environment, benefit from the Teknokent ecosystem and receive many financial supports. Entrepreneurs can benefit from university laboratories within the Research and Development Application and Research Center (SARGEM) (https://sargem.sakarya.edu.tr/tr/icerik/12420/99839/hizmetlerimiz) and other facilities needed by the university. Teknokent, Technology Transfer Office (Adapto) and Business Incubation Center carry out mentoring programs for both students and the society; It organizes training workshops on innovation, entrepreneurship and relevant national and international project programs.
Apart from the above practices, students in all departments take the Entrepreneurship and Project Management course. This course is a common (mandatory) elective course of the university and must be taken by all students before graduation. Within the scope of this course, students are asked to prepare an entrepreneurial idea or project proposal. The submitted projects are evaluated by the faculty members and the students are directed to the Business Incubation Center or Technocity. With this process, academic and commercial support is provided to students on entrepreneurship, and grants are given for projects.
G-FAST entrepreneurship acceleration program, jointly conducted by Sakarya University, Teknokent and Technology Transfer Office (Adaptto), is another application that supports future entrepreneurs. Within the scope of the G-FAST competition program, to which students from all universities can apply, project proposals are evaluated by a jury consisting of faculty members and professionals from the sector. Award-winning projects are supported by faculty support and mentoring, and they also receive financial support and financial rewards for their projects (https://haber.sakarya.edu.tr/g-fast-hizlandirma-programi-basliyor-h114914.html).
