An innovative success story from science to economy: MAKÜ Spirulina

The local product Spirulina, produced by MAKÜ academics, is opening up to national and international markets by receiving investment through university-industry collaboration and a crowdfunding model.

Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University (MAKÜ) has brought to life another striking example of its vision to transform knowledge into products: MAKÜ Spirulina.

Within the scope of the “Regional Development Focused Mission Differentiation” program supported by YÖK and the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey Strategy and Budget Office, the locally produced Spirulina developed under the leadership of the university's Molecular Biology and Genetics Department faculty members Prof. Dr. Rıza Akgül and Assoc. Dr. Füsun Akgül was commercialized following the necessary legal processes.

This work, a product of University-Industry collaboration, was brought to the market through a process conducted by the MAKÜ Technology Transfer Office.

Rector Dalgar: “We are a university that transforms knowledge into products”

In his assessment of the process, MAKÜ Rector Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Dalgar emphasized that universities should not only produce academic knowledge and said:

“We position our university not only with education and research activities but also as an institution that produces concrete solutions in areas needed by society. Developing and commercializing a product of strategic importance like Spirulina with local means is a strong reflection of this vision. This success is a vivid example of university-industry collaboration and the transformation of knowledge and labor into products.”

Contribution from academic success to the local economy

Assoc. Dr. Füsun Akgül, the project manager, provided the following information about the scientific infrastructure and target audience of MAKÜ Spirulina:

“Thanks to its high protein and antioxidant content, it is a natural support product that can be used by everyone from children to the elderly. This product is not only an academic study but also a local production model with high economic value.”

Prof. Dr. Rıza Akgül, who established the production infrastructure, pointed out that the spirulina biomass is sourced from the MAKÜ Microalgae Culture Collection (MAKUMACC) and announced that new variants enriched with magnesium, zinc, and selenium will soon be introduced to the market.

The investment process started with crowdfunding

The most important step that makes this initiative different is that it will receive investment through crowdfunding. The MAKÜ Technology Transfer Office, in collaboration with Halk Yatırım, launched a campaign to support spirulina production through the “Fonlabüyüsün” platform. The aim is to increase production capacity and position the product in both national and international markets.

The MAKÜ Technology Transfer Office signed a cooperation protocol with Halk Yatırım Menkul Değerler A.Ş. under the “Fonlabüyüsün” Crowdfunding Platform to provide financing for deep technology projects. Within the scope of this protocol, Algaemade Biotechnology Company, operating in MAKÜ-BAKA Technopark, was included among the deep technology projects to be supported by Fonlabüyüsün. The platform's vision to support initiatives focused on sustainability, circular economy, and advanced engineering solutions aligns directly with the MAKÜ Spirulina project.

The investment process has been initiated, and the crowdfunding campaign will be launched in the coming days.

Model collaboration: University-Industry-Investor integration 

This tripartite structure — MAKÜ, ALGAEMADE, and Halk Yatırım — presents an exemplary model by bringing together academic knowledge, entrepreneurial dynamism, and investment power. The Fonlabüyüsün platform provides the bridge between investors and the initiative.

Regional development and global competitiveness

This initiative stands out as an example of innovation that reduces import dependency with local production, creates employment with an economic model, and enhances Turkey's competitiveness in the field of biotechnology.

At the same time, it demonstrates that deep technology can be produced and commercialized in universities outside of metropolitan areas.