From Academic Knowledge to Innovation and Social Impact
We connect scientific expertise, research and technological innovation with real-world needs—turning ideas into practical solutions, European partnerships and more inclusive opportunities for society.
Founded on 6 October 2024, SPORTEK is an independent research, development and innovation company operating within the Kahramanmaraş Teknokent ecosystem.
Our Story: Academic Experience, Entrepreneurial Vision
SPORTEK was established to bring together the knowledge, experience and creativity developed through university-based research and international projects, and to apply that expertise through an agile, independent company structure.
Our team includes academics with experience in European Union Erasmus+ projects under the umbrella of Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University (KSÜ), alongside researchers, trainers, technical specialists and other talented professionals. Team members contribute expertise acquired in university settings to SPORTEK's activities in accordance with applicable legal and institutional requirements.
Our ambition is not to replace the university's research mission, but to complement it: to bridge academic knowledge with the needs of industry, public institutions, civil society and communities, and to turn evidence and ideas into projects, methods, technologies and services with practical value.
Rooted in Kahramanmaraş Teknokent
SPORTEK is located in Kahramanmaraş Teknokent, at the KSÜ Avşar Campus. Technology Development Zones in Türkiye are governed by Law No. 4691 on Technology Development Zones, adopted on 26 June 2001. The law promotes cooperation among universities, research organisations and productive sectors; supports R&D, technology development, commercialisation, entrepreneurship and technology transfer.
The Kahramanmaraş Technology Development Zone was established under Council of Ministers Decision No. 2011/1968, published on 4 July 2011. Its administration and incubation facilities began operating at the end of 2018. The zone is operated by Kahramanmaraş Teknokent Yönetici A.Ş., within the technology development framework overseen by the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Industry and Technology.
For SPORTEK, Teknokent is more than a business address. It is an innovation environment in which academic experience meets entrepreneurship, sectoral collaboration and the opportunity to transform research results into social and economic value.
A Multidisciplinary Team Working Across Sectors
SPORTEK brings together expertise in sport sciences, education, scientific research, project management, technology, engineering and applied disciplines. We develop and undertake work across R&D and innovation, learning and capacity building, sport and physical activity, social and cultural initiatives, international collaboration and community-oriented projects.
Our approach is interdisciplinary: we seek to combine scientific methods and technological thinking with practical field experience. We are especially interested in projects that promote inclusion, equal access to opportunities, healthy and active living, disability participation, lifelong learning and measurable social benefit.
Our European Projects and Academic Heritage
SPORTEK builds on the international experience of its team while clearly distinguishing between projects implemented by the company and projects undertaken within the university framework.
Our Own European Partnerships
During its first two years, SPORTEK secured support for two European projects:
BeNATURE
Nature-based play, development, inclusion and active participation for children with ADHD.
Green4Canoeing
Inclusive canoeing, environmental awareness and sport-based community participation.
Experience Developed at the University
Members of the SPORTEK team have contributed to European projects undertaken within Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University, including:
SWoST · KATSURA · Train4Family · Darts4Blind · Hockey4All
This university-based experience informs our capabilities in research, inclusive sport, international partnership building, project coordination and dissemination.
Clear institutional distinction: BeNATURE and Green4Canoeing are SPORTEK's directly supported projects. The five other projects listed above belong to the KSÜ academic project experience of SPORTEK team members; they are not presented as contracts awarded to SPORTEK.
Our Values and European Outlook
Our vision is shaped by the European priorities of inclusion and diversity, equal opportunities, digital transformation, environmental sustainability, participation and international cooperation. We regard these principles not only as funding priorities, but as considerations for how projects are designed, delivered and evaluated.
We aim to be recognised as a trusted European partner: a company that contributes original ideas, sound research, skilled people and meaningful results to international consortia. As our activities expand, we intend to develop a broader portfolio spanning sport, education, science, technology, social innovation and sustainable development.