The Turkish-German Energy Start Up Ecosystem Meet-Up at the 6th Turkish-German Energy Forum
On 26th November 2024, the Turkish-German Energy Start Up Ecosystem Meet-Up brought together 50 diverse stakeholders from start-ups, industry, public institutions, and other key players at the Café im Wasserturm on the EUREF Campus in Berlin. Held as an official side event of the 6th Turkish-German Energy Forum, the gathering centred on fostering collaboration and innovation to accelerate the energy transition in both nations.
The event, moderated by Rolli M. Vogel, Team Lead, Start-Up Ecosystem at the Deutsche Energie-Agentur (dena), opened with welcoming remarks by Mr. Vogel and Oğuzhan Kıran, Head of Department for Bilateral Foreign Relations at the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources. Together, they set the tone by highlighting the pivotal role of bilateral cooperation in driving energy innovation and the importance of integrating start-ups into the ecosystem for a successful energy transition.
The keynote address, delivered by Aziz Ünal, Deputy General Manager for Operations (Lignite) and Supply Chain at Enerjisa Üretim, focused on the synergy between start-ups and established corporations. Reflecting on Enerjisa Üretim’s journey as a Turkish-German joint venture, Mr. Ünal shared insights into the company’s strategic goals, research and development (R&D) initiatives, and its ongoing work with start-ups to foster innovation. His remarks emphasised the critical role such partnerships play in addressing global energy challenges through shared expertise and mutual support.
The keynote was followed by a lively panel discussion titled “Promoting Turkish-German Energy Innovations: A Cooperative Approach to Advancing the Energy Transition” which featured a diverse line-up of speakers representing research, start-ups, and investment:
- Dr. Ömer Faruk Tunçbilek, Director of the Institute for Clean Energy, Turkish Council for Energy, Nuclear, and Mining Research
- Sarah Gholiha, Trend & Innovation Scouting, Germany Trade & Invest
- Taha Uluhan, Founder and CEO, Novocyle
- Çağlar Erat, Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder, Werover
The discussion explored opportunities for start-ups in the energy sector, strategies for market entry, and successful cross-border collaborations. Panelists shared examples of innovative projects that highlighted the potential of joint ventures between Türkiye and Germany, offering inspiration for future initiatives. The session concluded with an interactive Q&A, giving the audience an opportunity to engage directly with the speakers and expand the conversation on enabling energy innovations through collaborative efforts.
Networking and Closing
The meet-up concluded with a networking reception, providing participants with a relaxed setting to exchange ideas, forge new partnerships, and strengthen ties within the Turkish-German energy start-up ecosystem. Conversations extended beyond the panel topics, offering insights into shared challenges and the opportunities that lie ahead in accelerating the energy transition.
This meet-up not only reinforced the shared commitment of Türkiye and Germany to a sustainable energy future but also highlighted the immense potential of start-ups and established institutions working together. As the energy sector continues to evolve, events like these provide an invaluable platform for fostering collaboration, sharing knowledge, and building the networks necessary to achieve ambitious climate goals.
