events

11

December

12

December

Smart Innovation Ideathon

Hosted by Karadeniz Technical University, the Grand Black Sea Forum (T3N-BSB Project) will be held in Trabzon from December 10–12, 2025. Participants are invited to attend events aimed at strengthening the regional innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.

The “Smart Innovation Ideathon” event to be held is funded under the Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin Program and organized by the Karadeniz Technical University Technology Transfer Application and Research Centre (KTU TTC) as part of the T3N-BSB Transnational Technology Transfer Network for the Black Sea Basin Project. The project is implemented in partnership with the “Centre for Research and Technology Hellas” (CERTH) from Greece, the “Bulgarian Association for Transfer of Technology and Innovation” (BATTI) from Bulgaria, and the “Dunarea de Jos” University of Galati (UDJG) from Romania.

Click here to apply for the Smart Innovation Ideathon.

The “Smart Innovation Ideathon” is a hands-on event aimed at developing industry-oriented original projects using the Demedukit-BWS Development Board developed by DEMSAY. Participants will work over two days to experience the stages of problem identification, idea development, prototyping, and product presentation. The program aims to strengthen university–industry collaboration, enhance students’ teamwork and innovative thinking skills, and foster the development of original projects that can be implemented in the industry.

DEMSAY Electronics is a technology and R&D company based in Istanbul. The company operates in the fields of electronic component supply, circuit board design, and embedded system software, offering a wide range of products including semiconductors, passive components, connectors, cables, and LED/LCD/TFT displays. Demsay, which holds the status of an R&D center approved by the Ministry of Industry and Technology, develops turnkey solutions for sectors such as automotive, defense, medical, aerospace, telecommunications, and consumer electronics; offering innovative electronic systems throughout all processes from design to prototype production with local engineering expertise.

DEMSAY firması hakkında detaylı bilgi almak için tıklayınız.

Who Can Apply?

  • Associate, undergraduate, and graduate students in the fields of embedded systems, software, computer, electrical-electronics, control, or mechatronics
  • Graduates from these fields
  • Students from other disciplines who have developed skills in embedded systems, software development, or digital technologies
  • Priority will be given to those who apply as interdisciplinary teams
  • The maximum number of people for teams participating is 4
  • Participants are required to review the Demedukit-BWS Development Board information provided below and determine their projects accordingly. The kits will be distributed to teams during the training.

Awards
Various prizes will be given to the top three teams, and all participants will receive a certificate of participation.

Key Dates

  • Application Deadline: November 24, 2025
  • Announcement of Participants: November 28, 2025
  • Event Date: December 11, 2025 – 9:30  – 16:30 @GRAND BLACK SEA FORUM

         December 12, 2025 – 9:30  – 12:30 @GRAND BLACK SEA FORUM

  • Event Location: Prof. Dr. Osman Turan Culture and Congress Center – Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon

Event Program

December 11, 2025 – Problem Definition and Idea Generation

09:30 – 09:45

Opening and Introductions

09:45 – 10:15

Introduction of the Demedukit Development Kit by DEMSAY and Expectations from Teams


? Development Kit Introduction: Presentation of the Demedukit Development Kit and explanation of its features and possible applications.
? Expectations: Explanation of the expectations from the teams and the evaluation criteria.

10:15 – 11:30

Problem Identification

  • Discussion of the user/customer perspective.
  • Identification of the problem’s sub-components by teams.

11:30 – 12:30

Idea Generation (Ideathon)

  • Creative thinking techniques: Brainstorming, SCAMPER, Reverse Thinking.
  • Development of multiple solution proposals by each team involving the use of the Demedukit Development Kit.
  • Grouping and prioritization of ideas using the Post-it method.

12:30 – 13:30

Lunch Break

13:30 – 16:00

Solution Design (Prototyping)

  • Creation of a paper model, sketch, flow diagram, software draft, or process model.
  • Preparation of prototype for the selected solution idea.

16:00 – 16:30

End-of-Day Evaluation

  • Short review session with DEM-SAY and KTU TTC mentors.
  • Team preparation for Day 2 prototyping sessions.  

 

 

December 12, 2025 – Prototyping, Validation and Presentations

09:30 – 11:30

Validation and Feasibility Analysis

  • Evaluation of prototypes in terms of technical, financial, and sustainability aspects.
  • One-on-one feedback from DEM-SAY experts and mentors.
  • Teams revise and refine their proposed solutions.

11:30 – 12:30

Team Presentations

  • Each team delivers a 7–10 minute
  • Presentation covering:
    • Problem definition
    • Proposed solution
    • Expected technical and economic benefits
    • Implementation plan (short-/medium-term roadmap)

12:30 – 13:30

Lunch Break

13:30 – 14:30

Jury Evaluations

14:30

Award Ceremony

 

Expected Outcomes

As a result of the “Smart Innovation Ideathon” event, the goals are:

  • To develop students' teamwork and problem-solving skills,
  • To generate viable solution proposals for DEM-SAY,
  • To obtain concrete outputs (prototypes, project proposals, R&D ideas) for university–industry cooperation.

Click here to apply for the Smart Innovation Ideathon.

Click here to learn more about the Grand Black Sea Forum, which will be held on December 10-12, 2025, explore many other activities, apply for events that interest you, and find out about seminars and panel events open to all visitors:

Grand Black Sea Forum

Grand Black Sea Forum Event Program

 

 

KTU Osman Turan Culture and Congress Centre
09:30