“Istanbul Gaming Startsups Academy” Launced as the Joint Project of Çekmeköy Municipality and Özyeğin University

Istanbul Game Entrepreneurship Academy, one of the significant projects of Çekmeköy Municipality, introduced its projects which will bring a new breath of air to the global and Turkish game entrepreneurship sector on the Özyeğin University campus.

Developed by Çekmeköy Municipality with the support of Istanbul Development Agency, and coordinated jointly by Özyeğin University, OYUNDER, and Helyum, Istanbul Gaming Startups Academy: 9999in1 Space Project was launched on Özyeğin University on July 21, 2023. The launch featured Resul Çelik, Çekmeköy District Governor, Prof. Dr. Esra Gençtürk, Özyeğin University Rector, Ahmet Poyraz, Çekmeköy Mayor, Latif Coşar, Çekmeköy Deputy Mayor, Serkan Korkmaz Arslan from Istanbul Development Agency (İKA), Tansu Kendirli, President at OYUNDER, and Metin Yıldız, founding partner at Helyum, as well as game entrepreneurs and mentors.

Istanbul Gaming Startups Academy brings together the stakeholders of the gaming industry in Istanbul to strengthen cooperation and community relations in the digital gaming ecosystem. The Academy contributes to the Turkish entrepreneurship ecosystem, helps entrepreneurs prepare for international competition, assists in making sectoral progress sustainable, and stands by entrepreneurs from idea validation to commercialization. Designed in line with the sector’s characteristics, the Academy has offered approximately 2,000 hours of training to around 400 students. Istanbul Gaming Startups Academy boasts a broad array of services, including training and mentoring programs, intensive conventional and digital publicity activities, panel discussions attended by all actors of the gaming ecosystem, gameathons, demodays, webinars, and broadcasts on digital channels, with the goal of drawing gaming entrepreneurs to the sector. The Academy has also recently been named one of the 25 gaming startup centers included in the latest reports of the Digital Transformation Office of the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey.

The Demoday ensued with the 48-hour Gameathon at the Faculty of Architecture and Design at Özyeğin University, which provides space and infrastructural support for the event. Following the marathon, participants received their certificates.