IBRAHIM BODUR SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP AWARDS ANNOUNCED

The winners of the ninth annual Ibrahim Bodur Social Entrepreneurship Program (IBSG), organized by the Kaleseramik Foundation (KSV) to increase the positive impact created by social entrepreneurs, have been announced. Hadi Simge, Hummingdrone, AMANOS & Migros, and KECİ were recognized in various categories.

This year's winners of the Ibrahim Bodur Social Entrepreneurship Program, which aims to uphold the values of Kale Group founder Dr. (h.c.) Ibrahim Bodur and to amplify the impact created by supporting the social entrepreneurship ecosystem, have been announced. Organized by the Kaleseramik Education, Health and Social Assistance Foundation (KSV) in collaboration with Impact Hub Istanbul, in its ninth year, the awards were presented to the winners after an evaluation from among 373 social enterprises. Hadi Isaret was recognized in the Early Stage category, Hummingdrone in the Advanced Stage category, AMANOS & Migros in the Collaboration category, and KECİ in the Youth category. This year, the program was opened to high schools with social entrepreneurship clubs for the first time, and Brick-Up from Izmir American College won the Jury's Special Award.

The winners of the Early Stage, Advanced Stage, and Collaboration Categories each received 350,000 TL, while the winner of the Youth Category received 100,000 TL. In addition to the financial prize, the winners will also receive developmental support. Kale Group and Impact Hub Istanbul will provide team-specific business development and investment preparation support to the winners of the Early Stage, Advanced Stage, and Collaboration Categories. The winning team in the Youth Category, in addition to the seed funding award, will also receive transition to the Social Impact Award Turkiye '25 program and capacity-building support within the program.

The award ceremony of the 9th Ibrahim Bodur Social Entrepreneurship Program was held at DasDas with the theme of "Seeing the Unseen" and with a presentation by actor Mert Firat, who is also a social entrepreneur.

Zeynep Bodur Okyay, President and CEO of Kale Group and Chair of the KSV Board of Trustees, said, “IBSG has evolved into a structure that contributes to the development of social and impact-focused initiatives and creates its own stakeholder ecosystem. Including those who joined us this year, nearly 100 social and impact-focused initiatives have become part of this program. We believe in the power of this community. In the coming period, we will continue to provide financial and non-financial support to our entrepreneurs by taking steps to make them more visible both in Turkiye and globally.”

Winning Projects

HUMMINGDRONE: A technology startup that digitizes the inspection of solar power plants with autonomous drones and artificial intelligence solutions. It aims to reduce energy production losses, prevent security risks, and increase return on investment. Autonomous drones and AI-powered analysis software create a digital twin, identifying anomalies and root causes with 99% accuracy. This enables rapid response, efficient maintenance, and safer, higher-performance plants. https://hummingdrone.co

HADI ISARET: Driven by the lack of terminology in Turkish Sign Language (TSL), which leads to communication barriers and inequalities in healthcare, education, and business, it is developing this terminology in collaboration with experts and disseminating content digitally. It is increasing social inclusion with interactive educational tools and awareness programs for institutions. https://www.instagram.com/hadisaret

AMANOS & MIGROS: Developing advanced recycling technologies focused on zero waste and a circular economy, AMANOS, in collaboration with Migros, has begun drying lost fruits and vegetables in stores on-site to minimize retail food waste. The specially developed system utilizes the waste heat generated in Migros stores' cooling systems as energy, resulting in 90% energy savings. In the pilot unit, a single store is able to prevent 2 tons of waste per month, resulting in resale. The model is designed to be expandable to healthy regions and other chains. https://www.amanosmuhendislik.com

KECI: An initiative that provides experiential learning opportunities for children in socioeconomically disadvantaged and rural areas. It aims to help children discover their potential and develop in various disciplines through interactive kits and camps in science, technology, and design. https://www.keciforkids.com/

BRICK-UP: A social enterprise that leverages Lego's power of educational and social innovation to develop accessible educational materials and social projects for individuals with disabilities and special groups. Using Lego as an educational and social tool, it offers Braille for individuals with disabilities, social interaction for children with selective mutism, and memory-boosting activities for Alzheimer's patients. It also provides moral support for children with leukemia through projects that make hospital procedures fun.