Shaping the Future of Sports Tech: Terminal Istanbul’s National Innovation Gathering
- Jennet Narbay
- Jul 18
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 21
In a powerful demonstration of Türkiye’s growing momentum in sports technology and innovation, the Ministry of Industry and Technology hosted an exclusive gathering at Terminal Istanbul, bringing together the country’s most forward-thinking startups in health, performance, and wearable tech.
This wasn’t just another industry meetup, it was a strategic initiative aimed at highlighting Türkiye’s capacity to lead in the global sports tech arena. Spearheaded by Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacır and National Technology General Director Sadullah Uzun, the event brought together founders and entrepreneurs with a shared mission: to redefine how sports, technology, and human performance intersect.
WearTechClub: A Vision for Intelligent Wearables
Among the standout participants was WearTechClub, a startup founded by Turkish female entrepreneur Özgül DALKILIÇ, building cutting-edge AI-powered, sensor-integrated smartwear for both athletes and health-conscious users.
Representing not only innovation but also the growing power of female-led entrepreneurship in Türkiye’s deep tech scene, WearTechClub took the opportunity to share its vision, current R&D efforts, and international expansion strategy. Highlights included:
Clinical-grade product validation in partnership with Bilgili Medikal using gold-standard tools like Qualisys 3D motion tracking and OpenGo insole sensors,
A strong presence at international trade shows in Germany, the UK, and China,
A roadmap focused on data privacy, sensor fusion, and user-centric performance tracking.
A Crossroads of Innovation and Community
This landmark event featured some of Türkiye’s most promising sports and health startups, including:
Uniqgene (genetic testing in sports),
Sporsepeti App (AI-powered performance tracking),
CatchPad (reaction-based performance tools),
DeepSport, Actinsports, and Creinno — all developing niche yet scalable solutions in biomechanics, training systems, and sport innovation.
A unique moment that elevated the occasion was the presence of football icon Mesut Özil, whose commitment to fostering innovation and talent resonated strongly with the next generation of tech-driven sports ventures.
A Unified Vision for Türkiye’s Technological Future
The event underscored the value of collective action. It was a celebration of startups with not only great ideas but a shared national and global ambition one that aligns with Türkiye’s broader innovation goals in AI, sustainability, digital transformation, and performance science.
At WearTechClub, we left more inspired than ever. We’re proud to be part of a community that’s not just thinking about the future but actively building it.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacır, General Director Sadullah Uzun, and the entire İTÜ ARI Teknokent A.Ş. team for creating a platform where ideas and ambition meet action.
Want to catch a glimpse of the energy at Terminal İstanbul?
Watch our highlight video from the event, where Türkiye’s top sport tech innovators came together to shape the future.
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