TÜSİAD SD2, the first comprehensive program focused on digital transformation in industry, brought together 18 leading technology-user companies with SME-scale technology suppliers.
Companies matched through the program will collaborate to develop joint solution projects. The success stories emerging from the program will be shared with the public during the “Digital Transformation in Industry Success Stories Ceremony” to be held at the end of the year.
The second year of TÜSİAD SD2, launched by the Turkish Industry and Business Association (TÜSİAD) to support digital transformation in industry, is currently underway. Organized with Vodafone Business as the Gold Sponsor, Inventram as the Silver Sponsor, and Gün+Partners as the Legal Support Partner, the program aims to connect technology-user companies seeking digital transformation with the right solution providers. At the same time, it offers technology suppliers developing innovative products and services a platform where they can present their solutions and validate them with potential customers.
Following the application and preliminary evaluation stages of TÜSİAD SD2, 18 technology-user companies met with shortlisted micro, small, and medium-sized technology suppliers at the Industry-Technology Integration Program (STEP) held on September 10. During the STEP event, technology-user companies and supplier companies that passed the preliminary evaluation process were matched with one another.
The companies matched through STEP will work together in the coming months to prepare solution projects. The resulting success stories will be presented to the public at the “Digital Transformation in Industry Success Stories Ceremony” to be held at the end of the year. The event also featured panel discussions led by industry experts on topics ranging from public support programs to digital transformation tools.
The opening speech of the event was delivered by TÜSİAD Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Industry Policies Round Table, Bahadır Balkır. Emphasizing that decision-makers are increasingly facing uncertainties in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Balkır stated:
“Last year, we launched the TÜSİAD SD2 Program in response to these challenges. During the pilot year, we brought together 13 leading industrial companies and 14 technology suppliers, creating collaboration opportunities that contributed to the development of Türkiye’s innovation ecosystem. This year, we are bringing together 18 leading technology-user companies with valuable technology producers from across the country.”
Following Bahadır Balkır, TÜSİAD Chairman Simone Kaslowski took the stage and highlighted that the increasingly competitive environment driven by digital transformation creates constant pressure for innovation.
“New technologies are creating an environment in many industries where the winner takes all. This makes success more important than ever. In such an environment, collaboration between companies, governments, universities, and other stakeholders plays a critical role in the competitiveness of both countries and businesses.”
Kaslowski also emphasized that success in digital transformation requires new leadership and management capabilities:
“The quality and value of production are now measured not only by average internet speed and the number of collaborative robots per thousand employees, but also by STEM competencies, employee training, data security regulations, logistics performance, infrastructure quality, carbon emissions, and recycling rates. Developments such as 3D technologies, advanced materials, and gene-editing technologies are increasingly blurring the boundaries between the digital and physical worlds. The TÜSİAD SD2 Program provides a valuable opportunity to approach digital transformation from a holistic perspective. It is encouraging to see the program, which began as a pilot initiative last year, continuing this year with increased participation.”
Another speaker at the event, TÜSİAD SD2 Task Force Chair Perihan İnci, provided information about the program’s processes. She stated that TÜSİAD SD2 was developed as a platform designed to bring technology-user companies together with technology suppliers.
Perihan İnci noted that the program contributes significantly to strengthening the ecosystem of technology users and suppliers, addressing the needs of technology users, supporting technology production by SMEs, and creating successful examples of digital transformation practices.
Following the matchmaking sessions, TÜSİAD Chairman Simone Kaslowski delivered the closing remarks:
“As of today, a one-to-one collaboration period begins for some of our companies with their technology-user partners. It will be a long and demanding process, but also an extremely valuable and exciting one. I would like to underline once again that there are no winners or losers in this program. Technology suppliers who were not matched are now an inseparable part of this network. I believe this program has created the spark that Turkish industry needs. I sincerely believe that we will hear many inspiring success stories in the coming period.”
TÜSİAD SD2 STEP Event in Numbers
Number of technology-user companies: 18
Number of technology suppliers submitting solutions: 274
Number of shortlisted suppliers invited to STEP after preliminary evaluation: 100
Number of additional high-potential suppliers invited to STEP: 100
Number of panelists: 21
Number of technology-user companies participating in both program periods: 3
Number of suppliers applying in both periods: 52
Number of STEP participants: 329
Matches
Assan Hanıl Automotive & Armolis Information Technologies and Kesit Information Technologies
Bayer Turkish Chemical Industry & Pedudi Information Technologies
Brisa Bridgestone & Golive Information Technologies
Çimsa & Mobirob R&D
Ditaş & Konzek Technology
Ekoten & Eliar Electronics
Enerjisa Energy & T4E Energy
Kastamonu Entegre & Büyütech
Kordsa & Siskon
Migros & AI Labs
Nobel Pharma & Simsoft
Norm Fasteners & Alp Automation
Organik Kimya & Motion Control Service Center
Securitas Security & Arıkovanı Software
TFI TAB Food Investments & TUBU R&D
Tofaş & B2Metrik Software and Information Technologies
Umur Printing Industry & Obase Computer and Consulting
Source: Adagazetesi
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