In the TÜBİTAK BİGG 2024 1st Call, SUNUM researchers Dr. Aysun Altan and Dr. Catherine Hirel's business plan “ChamBio: Chitin and chitosan production from microalgae” has been awarded the Seal of Excellence . The ChamBio business plan, which was applied through the BIGG-LABSOUT Program for “Academic Entrepreneurs” received the investment support of 900,000 TL from TUBITAK BIGG Fund. ChamBio brings innovation in source and production method of chitosan, a biopolymer which has a wide range of uses from agriculture to cosmetics, food to health.
1,917 entrepreneur candidates submitted their business ideas In the TUBITAK BIGG 2024 1st Call. 149 Implementing Organizations provided accelerator services, including training, mentoring, incubation, collaboration network utilization, and customer validation support in the 1st stage of the program to 994 entrepreneur candidates. After the accelerator program, 362 matured business plans have been evaluated by TUBITAK. As a result of assessments by academics, industry professionals, and investors, 115 entrepreneurs were deemed eligible for the Seal of Excellence in the 2024 1st Call. With the addition of 2 entrepreneurs who previously received the Seal of Excellence under co-investment, a total of 117 entrepreneurs have been awarded the Seal of Excellence.
“BIGG - LABSOUT”, the first and only program focusing on academic entrepreneurship among BIGG Programs, is carried out in partnership with ODTU GUNAM, ODTU MEMS, ODTU TEKNOKENT, ODTU TTO, SUNUM and TUBITAK MAM.
