What have we achieved so far in the EYE Program

What have we achieved so far in the EYE Program

What We’ve Achieved So Far in the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs (EYE) Program

ARI Teknokent has made significant progress in the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs (EYE) Program, successfully meeting the relationship (RLT) target and achieving 30% of the planned matches. In total, 10 relationships were established — 8 with New Entrepreneurs (NEs) and 2 with Host Entrepreneurs (HEs) — reaching 40% and 20% of their respective goals. Among these, 7 exchanges are currently ongoing, while 3 are ready to begin.

At present, 7 Turkish entrepreneurs are gaining hands-on experience in Europe, working with hosts in Italy, the United Kingdom, and Latvia. Their placements span a diverse range of sectors — from interior design, advertising, and marketing to information technology, communication, EU consultancy, and textile manufacturing.

Meanwhile, ARI Teknokent is hosting 2 international entrepreneurs from Ukraine and the Czech Republic, providing them with firsthand experience of Türkiye’s vibrant innovation ecosystem. One example is Özgül Dalkılıç, founder of WearTech Club and one of ARI Teknokent’s successful entrepreneurs, who is currently hosting Yarek Akhmetov from the Czech Republic. Through their collaboration, Yarek is learning how to integrate AI applications and navigate the digital innovation landscape.

Throughout the project period, ARI Teknokent has been actively promoting the EYE Program, attracting strong interest from the entrepreneurial community. So far, we have received 62 applications — including 11 from social and green entrepreneurs and 35 from female and tech-oriented entrepreneurs.

To strengthen matchmaking and increase participation, ARI Teknokent developed a Strategy Plan to engage more tech and digital entrepreneurs in the program. In addition, a webinar was organized to inspire startups in these fields, drawing 20 participants from various incubators across Türkiye. The session provided valuable insights into cross-border collaboration, demonstrating how international exchanges foster growth, innovation, and access to new markets.

In terms of outreach and visibility, ARI Teknokent shared multiple LinkedIn posts, prepared newsletters reaching 45 community members, and organized two online info sessions with 40 participants in total. Our team also participated in four external events, connecting with nearly 90 entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds and industries.

Overall, ARI Teknokent has successfully met all project milestones and continues to strengthen its role in building international bridges for entrepreneurs through the EYE Program.

 

Success Story about a promising entrepreneur, Melikber Güngör

From Idea to Innovation: Melikber’s Entrepreneurial Journey in Europe

New Entrepreneur: Melikber Güngör (Türkiye, 24)
Host Entrepreneur: Roberto Leonardi (Italy, 61)
Exchange Duration: 7 September 2025 – 8 October 2025 (1 month)
Sector: Shared Mobility & Logistics Marketplace (IT)

Melikber Güngör, a 24-year-old entrepreneur from Türkiye, is the founder of LoadVerse — a soon-to-be-launched digital platform that aims to optimize logistics and shared mobility solutions. While developing his Minimum Viable Product (MVP), Melikber sought an opportunity to gain international experience, validate his business model, and learn from a seasoned expert in the European mobility market.

Through the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs (EYE) Program, coordinated in Türkiye by ARI Teknokent, he connected with Roberto Leonardi, an Italian entrepreneur with more than 40 years of experience in IT and founder of Volvero.com, a company specializing in sustainable and digital mobility solutions. Both entrepreneurs shared a passion for technology-driven mobility innovation and saw the exchange as a valuable opportunity to collaborate and grow.

During the one-month exchange in Italy, Melikber worked closely with Roberto and the Volvero team to understand the operational dynamics of shared mobility platforms. His activities included market research, competitor analysis, and exploring how AI-based tools can enhance route optimization and customer experience in logistics applications.

Roberto provided hands-on mentorship, offering insights into scaling digital mobility startups, managing investor relations, and navigating the European startup ecosystem. The collaboration was highly interactive — Melikber contributed his technical skills and fresh perspective on user experience design, while Roberto shared strategic know-how and guidance on international market entry.

This synergy led to the creation of a prototype framework for LoadVerse’s MVP, which will soon be launched to the market.

The exchange was a turning point for Melikber’s entrepreneurial journey. He developed a clearer understanding of European mobility trends and built valuable professional connections, including a direct introduction to the founders of a leading tech startup.

A “Gentleman’s Agreement” was established between Melikber and Roberto to continue collaborating after the program, focusing on future joint initiatives in the mobility innovation space. Through this experience, Melikber also created a strategic entry plan for expanding LoadVerse into the German and Italian markets.

Quotes

Melikber Güngör, New Entrepreneur:
“Working with Roberto and the Volvero team was truly inspiring. I gained not only technical and strategic knowledge but also the confidence to take LoadVerse to the European market.”

Roberto Leonardi, Host Entrepreneur:
“Melikber brought a fresh perspective and strong technical insight. It was a pleasure mentoring such a motivated young entrepreneur who is shaping the future of digital logistics.”