Victory Inspired by Nature’s Colors

The winner of the Creative Business Cup Turkey, organized to boost Turkey’s strength in creative industries and support innovative business ideas, has been announced. ‘Chroma Naturals’, founded by Izmir University of Economics (IUE) Department of Biomedical Engineering Research Assistant Duygu Geçkin to produce natural pigments for the cosmetics industry by transforming fruit and vegetable waste into value-added products, won first place in the competition. Reaching the top with her project combining sustainability, science, and entrepreneurship, Geçkin earned the right to represent Turkey at the world finals, which will take place on August 26–27 in Denmark featuring entrepreneurs from over 50 countries.

Organized by the IUE Creative Economy Research and Application Center (IUE+KREA) under the Create in Izmir project in collaboration with the Izmir Development Agency (IZKA), the Creative Business Cup Turkey 2026 finals saw great excitement. Nine finalist projects with innovative business concepts competed fiercely for the top spot. The 4-member jury consisted of IUE+KREA Director Dr. Gözde Çeviker, IZKA Innovation and Entrepreneurship Policies Unit Head Dr. M. Sencer Özen, Aegean Young Business People Association (EGIAD) Angels Investment Network Executive Board Member Berk Altınkeserler, and IUE Technology Transfer Office Entrepreneurship and Company Formation Specialist Yeliz Koç Erikan.

PROMOTING ABROAD

All projects, aiming to make creative startups visible on an international scale and connect them with global business networks, were evaluated based on creativity, business model, scalability, international growth potential, and impact criteria. Following the final presentations, Chroma Naturals, founded by IUE Biomedical Engineering Research Assistant Duygu Geçkin, secured first place and won the right to attend the Creative Business Cup World Finals. Geçkin will have the opportunity to showcase her work internationally and establish strong business connections at the finals in Copenhagen, Denmark.

A 'NATURAL' CONTRIBUTION TO THE COSMETICS INDUSTRY

Expressing her great joy at winning first place, Geçkin said, “With Chroma Naturals, we are developing natural pigments derived from food by-products as an alternative to petroleum-based and animal-derived colorants used in the cosmetics industry. We developed our first pigment product under our TUBITAK-supported project using green extraction, freeze-drying, and microencapsulation methods. We aim for this product to be used in cosmetic formulations in alignment with a safe, sustainable, and clean ingredient approach.

However, our work is not limited to a single pigment. We continue to develop new pigment groups from different plant sources and research their impact areas and potential applications across various industries, particularly cosmetics. Winning first place in this competition is a major opportunity to establish new partnerships and expand our work into broader applications.”

“DEMONSTRATED CREATIVE POTENTIAL”

Stating that Creative Business Cup Turkey is an important platform for creative startups to grow and expand into international markets, IUE+KREA Director Dr. Gözde Çeviker said, “The finalist projects this year clearly demonstrated once again the creative potential possessed by Izmir and Turkey. Thanks to our strong collaboration with the Izmir Development Agency, we provided entrepreneurs with a valuable environment to gain experience, expand their business networks, and access international opportunities. As Izmir University of Economics, within the scope of Create in Izmir, we will continue to pioneer the development of the creative industries ecosystem in our city, strengthen the link between academia and industry, and support innovative ventures. Having Chroma Naturals represent our country in the world finals as the Turkish champion is a special source of pride for us. I congratulate Duygu Geçkin and wish her success in Copenhagen.”