EMU centre head urges locally tailored approach to youth entrepreneurship

North Cyprus should develop entrepreneurship support around its own social and historical context instead of mechanically reproducing Silicon Valley institutions, according to Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) Entrepreneurship and Innovation Centre head Burak Erkut.

In an article published by Yeniduzen, Erkut described a 2026 visit to Istanbul’s Bilgiyi Ticarileştirme Merkezi. He wrote that he was the first faculty member to take part in mobility under the TRNC and EMU Orhun Exchange Programme.

Erkut described the Istanbul centre as providing co-working spaces, investor meetings and support programmes covering stages from company formation to growth. He used the experience to question whether entrepreneurship ecosystems should follow one standard model, arguing that support for young entrepreneurs should reflect North Cyprus’s history, geography, culture, social relationships and the experiences of local young people.

Erkut also said he did not see young entrepreneurs from North Cyprus at the Slush'd event, and cited entrepreneur Ahmet Bilgen as raising the same concern.

As a possible locally grounded alternative, Erkut proposed examining Cyprus’s historical vakıf tradition. He argued that it could offer a basis for creating opportunities where young people can test ideas, find their first customers and try again after failure.