TechXtile Innovation League Kicks Off

The Uludağ Textile Exporters Association (UTİB) is organizing an innovation league designed to build innovation awareness in organizations and support export growth driven by innovation. Training sessions within this framework have commenced. TechXtile Innovation League training organized by UTİB has begun. These trainings aim to build innovation awareness and increase exports driven by innovation. Ufuk Batum, TechXtile Program Coordinator, provided comments on the subject. TechXtile Innovation League to Build Innovation Awareness The Uludağ Textile Exporters Association (UTİB) is organizing a Textile Innovation League. Within this framework, eight weeks of training will be provided. These trainings aim to build innovation awareness and achieve growth in innovation-driven exports. Ufuk Batum, program coordinator providing training on R&D Centers Capacity Development Support, made remarks on the subject. Batum stated: "Turkey's entrepreneurship ecosystem is developing rapidly. As start-ups multiply day by day, it is very important that R&D centers work together with start-ups." R&D and Innovation Must Be Prioritized Ufuk Batum emphasized that companies wanting to succeed must prioritize R&D and innovation. Batum said: "Especially in the competitive environment of developed markets, it is understood that R&D and innovation are critical for companies' survival and success. Both our large companies and SMEs in Turkey need to allocate significant budgets from their revenues to R&D and innovation. I recommend they view this budget not as an expense but as a real investment, because every amount spent in this area will return as much greater gains in the future. The corporate world and the start-up world in Turkey are not in much communication with each other. When I examined R&D centers, I found that one of the basic needs is knowing how to benefit from start-ups. When R&D centers benefit from start-ups, they achieve success faster and at lower cost, while also contributing to the entrepreneurship ecosystem," he said. "If Resources Are Limited, We Must Think About How to Use Them Efficiently" Batum also noted that the budget allocated to R&D activities in Turkey is limited and stressed the need to use resources efficiently. Noting that R&D centers, although competitors, can conduct joint studies together, Batum said: "Although we as engineers place much greater emphasis on the technical aspects of the work, it is very important that we develop ourselves in financial literacy, budget management, understanding customer needs, and communication on this path." Batum pointed out that one of the sector's problems is failing to build brands and said: "Although R&D work started late in Turkey, there are no shortage of advantages in closing the gap. When we go out to the field with our colleagues and make visits, I saw customer contact beyond my expectations. Communication of our colleagues in the R&D department with the outside world is of great importance. As R&D culture develops and budgets are allocated, one of the shortcomings we see in the field is limited human resources and budget. R&D centers in Turkey do not work together because they say they are competitors at the same time. However, there are examples worldwide where competitors work together on R&D. If resources are limited, we must think about how to use those resources efficiently," he said.