Hasan Tabakci

Business Development | Digital Strategist | Startup Mentor | EU Business Hive Manager at GIZ GmbH

Nicosia, Cyprus

About

Currently involved in EU-funded projects as business development for SMEs,and early-stage startups. Passionate about innovation and digital strategy. Active involvement in Cyprus entrepreneurship ecosystem.

Experience

  • EU Business Hive Manager at Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
    Apr 2024 - Present · 2 yrs 3 mos

    Implementing the project eunite: SME (EU-funded financial aid program for SMEs) I will establish and oversee an innovation and support hub for the ecosystem. My responsibilities will include designing and implementing a range of events, programs, seminars, and training sessions to support early-stage entrepreneurs and startups including the "Startup For Peace" initiatives in 2024 and 2025. I will also engage with SMEs along with business innovation colleagues to enhance their expertise and capacity in innovative business practices, focusing on quality improvement, value creation, sustainability, and digital transformation.

  • Startup Mentor at CyprusInno
    Aug 2021 - Apr 2024 · 2 yrs 9 mos

    Mentor at CyprusInno' s Startup Mentorship Programmes on the topic of Business Model Canvas - A hybrid live and virtual programme that utilises curated mentorship to connect successful entrepreneurs and business leaders with early-stage founders island-wide to ensure their future growth and success and take their idea to the next level.

  • Business Support Officer at NI-CO
    Jan 2022 - Mar 2024 · 2 yrs 3 mos

    Grant monitoring & implementation of EU-funded financial aid program for SMEs ( The ‘Safeguarding & Creating Employment Grant Scheme in the Turkish Cypriot community) implemented by Innovative Entrepreneurship and Dialogue project - NICO. A total of 100 beneficiaries are supported under the scheme. Responsible for a portfolio of 17 businesses in various sectors. Business development support by procuring new supplies ( Equipment/machinery ) for new product development. Accreditation and regulation improvements to enable green line trade. Retention aid for staff. Enable digital transition projects via new ERP solutions. Strategic consulting to enhance the growth of the business. Provision of services for external expertise support in a variety of fields such as marketing-exporting-quality standards and greenline trade.

  • Expert / Consultant at Civic Space / Sivil Alan
    Aug 2021 - Mar 2024 · 2 yrs 8 mos

    Member of pool of experts of Civic Space programs. Consultancy will be given to granted applications from civil society under Civic Grow project in the areas of digitalisation, business development and capacity building.

  • GİGEM (Cyprus)
    • Operation and Business Development Coordinator at GİGEM (Kyrenia Youth & Resource Center)
      Aug 2019 - Feb 2022 · 2 yrs 7 mos

      EU Funded Project : Technical and economic empowerment of entrepreneurship (Start-ups) in the northern part of Cyprus. Simply GİGHUB (Well know one stop startup location for support (technical & financial) and co-working space. I ensure the quality coordination of the Small Grants Programme for startups, provide regular mentorship and guidance to the project target group . Development and operation of Accelerator programme with 60K Euro grant for innovative business ideas. Formation and running of Co-Working spaces under GİGHUB. I am also responsible for participating in advocacy meetings for Start-Up ecosystem legislations. Development and coordination of the capacity building trainings and networking events along with the project team. Monitoring the implementation of accelerator programme which is first in the region. Same stats from the programs that we have developed; 33 Event/Seminar/Training 387 participants 124 Startup application for Accelerator Programme 15 innovative business for Small Grants Programme Active membership for GİGHUB CO- Working Spaces.

    • Employment and Business Development Advisor
      May 2017 - Aug 2019 · 2 yrs 4 mos

      Implemented project for social inclusion and economic empowerment of young people in the Kyrenia district who is finance by European Union and implemented by GIGEM. Specific objective of the project is to improve the employability and self-employment of young individuals through their skills development,vocational training and entrepreneurship. Since the beginning of the project I was involve in operation and implementation for each activity and events. Coordination and implementation of communication strategy. Total reach and added value to community in 2 years; 645 trained young people, more than 60 new employment, full capacity running social/community center with co working spaces and 3rd wave coffeeshop ( 3RD Generation ) inhouse. During this project we have also drafted the first ideation of the Accelerator Programs for startups and Hub for new business ideas.