Create in İzmir
Pre-Incubation Program
Develop your creative ideas, build your team, test your idea and take the first step in your entrepreneurial journey.
The Create in İzmir Pre-Incubation Program is designed to support İzmir University of Economics students and recent graduates in developing their ideas, coming together with teams from different disciplines and turning their ideas into viable ventures.
What is Pre-Incubation?
Pre-incubation is a development process that helps ventures at the idea or early development stage clarify their path.
The goal at this stage is not only to create a business idea, but to take the first steps needed to understand which problem the idea solves, define its target audience, build the right team structure, test the idea and turn it into a viable business model.
Pre-incubation programs bring together the knowledge, mentorship, connections and hands-on opportunities needed at the earliest stage of the entrepreneurial journey.
Idea
Clarify the problem and the idea
Test
Test / validate the idea
Team
Team up with the right people
Startup
Turn it into a viable model
A Development Process from Idea to Startup
Run at İzmir University of Economics under the Create in İzmir umbrella, in collaboration with the Creative Economy Application and Research Center (KREA) and the Project Development and Technology Transfer Office, the program supports the development and testing of creative ideas and their transformation into viable ventures.
The program is designed not just as a training series that provides information on entrepreneurship, but as a holistic development journey in which ideas are developed, teams are formed, business models are shaped and participants progress with mentorship and ecosystem support.
Participants can join the program regardless of the current stage of their idea, and get the opportunity to mature their ideas through idea development, interdisciplinary team building, entrepreneurship training and mentorship. Throughout the program, teams are supported in developing their business models and connecting with the entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Who Is This Program For?
I have an idea but don’t know where to start.
For those who want to develop and test their idea and define their next steps.
I have an idea and want to build my team.
For those who want to team up with teammates from different disciplines.
I have a team and want to develop my idea.
For teams that want to test their existing idea, develop their business model or build a prototype.
I don’t have an idea yet but want to experience entrepreneurship.
For those who want to develop new ideas, work with different teams and experience the entrepreneurial process.
The program is open to İzmir University of Economics students and those who graduated within the last three years.
How Will the Program Progress?
The program progresses through a staged structure from idea to startup:
- 1ApplicationCandidates who want to join the program apply for the DesignX Idea Workshop.
- 2DesignX Idea WorkshopIn a two-day workshop, ideas are developed, participants from different disciplines come together and teams are formed.
- 3TrainingsEntrepreneurship, design with AI, business model, business plan and marketing, financial strategies, IP rights and support mechanisms.
- 4MentorshipTeams continue to develop their ideas, business models and pitches through one-on-one mentoring.
- 5Demo DayTeams present the startup ideas they have developed at Demo Day.
- 6Further SupportAdditional support opportunities through the TÜBİTAK BİGG program and for branding and communication work
What Awaits You in the Program?
Interdisciplinary team building
Entrepreneurship trainings
One-on-one mentorship
Networking and ecosystem connections
Business model development
Pitch preparation
Guidance to the TTO and the entrepreneurship ecosystem
Post-Demo Day Support
To help the teams selected after Demo Day take their ideas to the next stage:
- Guidance on brand identity and communication work
- Guidance on TÜBİTAK BİGG and related entrepreneurship support mechanisms
Current Event – DesignX Idea Workshop
Take your first step into the program
DesignX Idea Workshop
The Create in İzmir Pre-Incubation Program kicks off with the DesignX Idea Workshop, held on 20–21 October 2026 between 17:00 and 20:00.
In this two-day workshop, you can develop your creative ideas, meet participants from different disciplines, form a team and take the first step in your entrepreneurial journey.
20–21 October 2026
17:00 - 20:00
İzmir University of Economics
Capacity: 40 people
Develop Your Idea. Build Your Team.
Start Your Entrepreneurial Journey.
Whether you have an idea or not, you can join the program to develop new ideas, meet participants from different disciplines and experience the entrepreneurial process.
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This web page was produced with the financial support of the European Union and the Republic of Türkiye. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the Consortium led by DAI.
It does not necessarily reflect the views of the Republic of Türkiye and the European Union.