Finland - Türkiye Startup Competition and the winner start-up stories
Embassy of Finland in Ankara, together with Business Finland`s Work in Finland launched for the first time “Finland - Türkiye Startup Competition” with an award ticket to Slush 2023, and entry to pre-accelerator program "Building Tomorrow’s Smart City in Finland Capital Region," organized by Business Helsinki, Business Espoo and City of Vantaa. Through the local partners (Bilkent Cyberpark, Hackquarters, KWORKS, ODTU Teknokent, YTU Yıldız Teknopark) and the jury selections, four Turkish startups were the winners of this competition.
Finland Capital Region Startups Softlanding Lead, City of Helsinki, Teemu Seppälä also shared his views during the pre-acceleration program where they had additional three Turkish startups to the four winners:
"Amazing seven Turkish startups were chosen to join Building Tomorrow accelerator programme. These companies’ vast technological expertise includes solutions focused on the some of the most pressing issues of our times in the fields of urban technologies, health, sustainability, robotics, data and cyber security. What really made these companies stand out among thousands of startups attending Slush 2023 was their passion and quick adaptability to our ecosystem. This is evidenced by the fact that already after couple of months three of them are moving to Finland."
In the following months, we will be sharing some of the stories and experiences of these startup founders. This month, we will be sharing Costifier`s experience as below:
"In the dynamic realm of tech innovation, each journey is a unique testament to passion, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of progress. Today, I share the compelling story of Costifier, an AI venture rooted in my aerospace engineering background and nurtured by Finland's vibrant start-up ecosystem. I'm Ersan Turan, the co-founder and CEO of Costifier and SFM Software Technologies Inc. With a solid foundation in aerospace engineering from the prestigious Middle East Technical University, I devoted over a decade to pivotal projects at Turkish engineering firms. Fueled by an entrepreneurial spirit and a vision to redefine industry standards, I co-founded Costifier.
Supported by TÜBİTAK, The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey, we secured pre-seed funding from June 2019 to June 2020. During this period, we developed the SME version of Costifier, a solution addressing cost estimation challenges for SMEs during the bidding phase. Using machine learning and AI methods, we achieved accurate and rapid cost estimation, enhancing competitiveness for manufacturers. Our second pre-seed fund from TÜBİTAK (May 2021 to November 2022) facilitated the development of the Supply Chain version of Costifier. This AI software aids enterprises in achieving cost-effective and sustainable supplier selection through supplier-specific ML models rooted in historical data. Engaging with over 100 companies across five countries, we built on this success.
Costifier's transformative juncture unfolded during the "Finland Start-Up Ecosystem Info Day" on September 20, 2023, in Ankara. Collaborating with
Business Finland, dedicated to fostering the Nordic start-up ecosystem, opened a gateway to opportunities in the Finnish business landscape. This introduction led to a transformative chapter marked by collaboration, learning, and connections shaping the destiny of our venture.
Participating in the "FINLAND-TÜRKİYE STARTUP COMPETITION" propelled us into the Building Tomorrow's Smart City program in the Finland Capital Region. Beyond events, this immersive program unveiled Finland's business layers, particularly within the smart city ecosystem. Online coaching sessions during this transformative journey provided insights into the Finnish start-up landscape, from business nuances to smart city exploration, venture capital, public services, pitching, and adapting to Finnish business culture.
The true magic unfolded during the onsite program in Helsinki, where theory met practice, and Costifier immersed itself in the vibrant Finnish start-up community. Matchmaking events, industry meetups, and 1on1 meetings facilitated connections. The crowning jewel was the Slush conference, the world's largest startup event. We pitched Costifier on a global stage, marking the initiation of engagement with the Finnish business community, paving the way for promising connections and potential investments. Encouraged by positive reception and momentum from Slush, I initiated the Finland Startup Permit application. With Business Helsinki's support, we refined the eligibility statement, taking the first stride towards anchoring Costifier's journey in Finland.
In conclusion, the Costifier journey is a testament to collaboration, innovation, and opportunities in cross-border ventures. Finland's supportive start-up ecosystem, Vertical acceleration program, and the impactful Slush conference have shaped Costifier's future. As we navigate the startup permit process, the journey continues, and we look forward to the chapters ahead, confident in collaboration's transformative power and Costifier's innovative spirit."