1.Who may apply to METU-Technopolis ?
Legal and real entities that are working in all fields primarily in prioritised activity areas/sectors may apply to METU-Technopolis. Entity and institutions that execute works mostly in R&D and software development based on advanced technology, innovation, creativeness and knowledge are accepted to METU-Technopolis.
2. How is the application process?
Companies or organisations that do wish to take part in METU-Technopolis and benefit from the Law of Technology Development Regions, submit their pre-applications to the management company, Teknopark A.S. Within the scope of pre-application, the companies provide detailed information about their R&D projects and they learn about the critical points of the application and admission period. At the end of that pre-application stage, application forms (www.metutech.metu.edu.tr) with all the necessary attachments are asked from the qualified companies.
3. Are there any costs for the applications for METU-Technopolis?
There are no costs for companies or entrepreneurs with regard to their applications. Only filling in the Application Forms and submitting them to the management company is required.
4. How is the evaluation and acceptance process of the applications?
The applications are evaluated by an arbitrary committee consisting of three-independent experts specialised in the activity areas of the company. During the evaluation stage face to face meetings between the experts and the applicants are realised and if necessary the experts have the right to visit applicants premises or facilities. The opinions of the experts are evaluated by the METU-Tecnopolis Steering Committee which is comprised of the representatives from the university, Teknopark A.S. and private sector. The companies that the experts express a positive opinion are accepted to METU-Technopolis following the University Board’s approval.
5. Who are in the Arbitrary Committee?
The arbitrary committee consists of people that are experts in the activity area of the company especially on the proposed research and software development projects. METU academicians are prioritized in the appointment of the arbitrary committee members.
6. How long does it take to evaluate the applications?
The evaluation of the applications is realised in a sixty day period. During this period all the necessary stages are fulfilled and the decision of the Steering Committee is being declared to the applicant companies.
7. What will happen if the applications are not accepted?
There are no limitations for the companies in terms of submitting revised applications if their former applications are not accepted. However, the result of the previous application will also be taken into consideration during evaluation period.
8. Is it possible to reserve office spaces?
It is not possible to make any reservations prior to the application period. The office allocation for the companies is only realised when the company is accepted after an evaluation and acceptance period.
9. How is the office allocation process for the companies that are accepted?
The allocation of office spaces for the companies is alternated with respect to their rank in the application. Besides the application of the company’s R&D projects to be performed and the equipment to be used while performing those and the necessary conditions for the execution of the project are also considered for the allocation.
10. What are provided within these allocated offices?
All the office spaces are allocated with the necessary data and the power infrastructure. with all the facilities provided they are ready to be actively used by the companies following the application stage. In case of request, the interior design can be revised by the company after having the necessary permissions.
11. How about the costs of allocated offices?
The fee for the lease of METU-Technopolis’ R&D offices is between 6 USD/m2 to 10 USD/m2 per month which differs with respect to the specifications of the office. The company and entrepreneurs should also share the operating expenses of the office spaces. The operating expenses differ between 2,2 USD/m2 and 2,5 USD/m2 per month. This cost includes the air conditioning , recreation, cleaning of common spaces, building security, common electricity and water expenses; but the other services such as the electricity and -if any- the water consumption of the office together with the telephone and data costs are not included.
12. What should one do if there are no appropriate office spaces to be allocated immediately after having the application result?
In such cases, the request of the company will again be put in order according to the priority line in its application, when there is an appropriate office space it will be immediately be allocated to the company in concern.
13. What is the duration of the lease period?
It differs from a year up to fifteen years.
14. What are the tax advantages provided within the scope of the Law of Technology Development Regions?
Within the scope of the Law, there are some tax exemptions provided for the companies that are allowed to be active in the region; (i) The monthly salaries of the R&D staff and software engineers, working in the region, are exempt from the income tax till 31/12/2013. (ii) The income generated from the research and development together with software development activities, executed exclusively in the region, are exempt from the corporate tax (income tax from real entity) till 31/12/2013. (iii) During that period when the income generated from R&D activities is exempt from income and/or corporate taxes, and services such as the system management, data management, work applications, sectoral, internet, mobile and military command application softwares are also exempt from value added tax.
15. How these tax exemptions and allowances are being inspected?
The legal and authorized bodies in charge for the final inspection about statements of tax allowance of companies, is the Revenue General Directorate of Ministry of Finance and the related Tax Office. The general aspects, regarding to common tax inspections, are valid also for the activities in technology development regions.
16. Is it obligatory for the companies to be in cooperation with METU and to work together with the academicians and/or the students in projects?
There is not any obligation for the companies to be in cooperation with METU or with another university. However, it should be taken into consideration that the one of the main goals of the establishment of technology development region is to develop the university- industry cooperation aimed at research and technology development.
17. How can we benefit from the laboratories and research centers of the university?
METU is one of the universities in Turkey that has a wide range of modern laboratory and research center facilities. METU-Technopolis’ companies have the opportunity to benefit from more than 150 laboratories and existing 34 research centers in very special conditions. The companies wishing to benefit from laboratory and/or research center facilities, should contact with the related department directorate or the research center management. In case of any request Teknopark A.S. will also provide the necessary assistance.
18. How should the companies planning to collaborate with the academicians do?
At first the company should clearly define the academician whom they would like to work with through contacting with the related academic unit. Working together with the academic is only possible after having the necessary approvals from the university. At www.metutech.metu.edu.tr web site there are forms regarding that process. These forms should completely be filled in and signed and submitted to the university for approval.
19. Is it necessary to have the head office of the company within the the region?
It is not a must to have the company’s head office within the region. However, the R&D and/or the software offices within the region should be an “office” in accordance with Turkish Trade Law. For the companies that do not have their head offices in Ankara, need to have a branch office within the region in order to satisfy the necessary criteria.
20. Following the application and acceptance period, which criteria must be satisfied?
The companies that are accepted to METU-Technopolis should submit some legal documents as stated in Directory HandBook of METU-Technopolis before start working within the region.
21. What are the responsibilities of companies working within the METU-Technopolis?
For all the staff (both the R&D and the others) working within the region, some documents should be submitted to the management company within 10 days of their employment. Similarly these legal documents are also stated in the Directory Handbook of METU-Technopolis.
Any kind of change with regard to the data or the information about the personnel should also be stated to Teknopark A.S. within a ten days period.
Every month, after having the approval of Teknopark A.S., the detailed information regarding to the R&D personnel working in the scope of the Law No.4691 must be enclosed to the legal forms to be submitted to the Tax Office.
In addition to that companies should inform the details about their activities executed within the region by filling Activity Follow-Up Forms every three months.
22. What kind of social facilities are provided for the personnel working within METU-Technopolis?
The design principles and the environmental harmony within the METU Campus, being a best practice for Turkey, are also the main issues for the constructional planning of METU-Technopolis, for providing a peaceful working environment for the staff through “vital and natural places”.
In METU-Technopolis From the starting point that the “life and human being” concepts are as important as the concept ‘technology’, various social activities are performed to activate the social life. New Year parties, summer celebration parties are organised to support the integrity of business life and social life within the region.
The staff working in METU-Technopolis can also benefit from the social facilities provided by the university. The shopping malls, cinemas, concert and theatre halls, restaurants, sports facilities, educational institutions, and accommodation facilities are all located within an area of approximately 5 km in diameter.
