Value Proposition of STPs for Residents, an Analysis: Bilkent Cyberpark Color and Diversity Essential Ingredients of an Ecosystem

STPs have varying roles and responsibilities towards different stakeholders. It is by nature that each stakeholder has a priority list of its own. STPs strive to satisfy each and every member of the triple helix formed by the academia, industry and state and they pursue programs with various targets at different stages of development. Yet, for the sake of long term sustainability, one ultimate target remains, that is providing the most complete and most developed ecosystem possible.\n\nEcosystem is defined as a community of living organisms (in STP case companies) in conjunction with the nonliving components of their environment (physical infrastructure) interacting as a system. These components are regarded as linked together through nutrient cycles and energy flows (business interactions). A sustainable and self-standing STP is one where members have a similar conjunction with not only each other but also with the physical environment that they are in, therefore creating a viable and preferred living space for all members. STPs that cannot establish such an ecosystem over time are bound to be dependent on continuous grants, subsidies and what comes along with them.\n\nReserving STP opportunities entirely for a selected audience whether it be a business size or age or focus can impose a serious limitation regarding this very ultimate target. Specific programs that temporarily favor entrepreneurs which fit a certain criteria (e.g biotech bootcamps, on-line gaming incubators) are essential components for the healthy growth of the ecosystem and should not replace the overall mission of the STP.