Health Technologies Sectoral Introduction and Networking Meeting

The “Health Technologies Sectoral Introduction and Networking Meeting” was successfully organized and conducted by Entertech Istanbul Technopark and hosted by Istanbul University on 16 December 2025 at the Blue Hall of the Istanbul University Rectorate.. The event featured two panel sessions focusing on academic and entrepreneurial efforts in health technologies.

The opening speeches were made by Prof. Dr. Osman Bülent Zülfikar, Rector of Istanbul University; Prof. Dr. Tufan Tükek, Dean of Istanbul University Istanbul Faculty of Medicine; and Dr. Muhammed Kasapoğlu, General Manager of Entertech Istanbul Technopark. The opening emphasized the importance of commercializing academic knowledge in health technologies through entrepreneurial mechanisms.

In his opening speech, Dr. Muhammed Kasapoğlu drew attention to the key challenges faced by health technology startups, including capital requirements, regulatory processes, and market access barriers. He underlined that technoparks serve not only as infrastriucture providers, but also as active partners accompanying startups throughout their commercialization journey. He also highlighted the essential role of collaboration between universities, technoparks, and startups in converting academic output into economic value.

Following the opening speeches, plaques were presented to Istanbul University academic members who qualified for support under the TÜBİTAK 1812 Entrepreneurship Support Program.

The first panel of the event, titled “Three Perspectives, One Future: Next-Generation Health Startups,” was moderated by Prof. Dr. Mustafa Nuri Yenerel, Vice Dean of Istanbul University Istanbul Faculty of Medicine. During the panel session, Entertech-based health technology startups presented their product development journeys, practical solutions to clinical needs, and real-world experiences to the audience.

The second panel of the program, titled “Health Technologies and Medical Regulations,” addressed regulatory frameworks, certification requirements, and clinical approval processes from a multi-stakeholder perspective The panel, moderated by Prof. Dr. Erhan Akdoğan, provided an evaluation of current approaches to the commercialization of health technologies in alignment with regulatory requirements, considering public, industry, and entrepreneurial dimensions.

The event was concluded with a networking session that convened representatives of academia and the entrepreneurship ecosystem. Entertech Istanbul Technopark plans to sustain and strengthen partnerships that support university-driven entrepreneurship in health technologies and accelerate the effective transfer of academic knowledge to the field.