What SAITEM does

SAITEM (Sakarya Üniversitesi İleri Teknolojileri Uygulama Topluluğu) is a volunteer student technology application community founded in 2003 at Sakarya University's Esentepe Campus in Sakarya, Turkey. The organization designs and builds alternative-energy vehicles for participation in international engineering competitions rather than for commercial sale. Its product portfolio spans solar-powered cars (SAGUAR X-series, SAGUAR NL, SAGUAR 2, SAGUAR 3, SAGUAR-RB), hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (SAHIMO X3/X4/Mekano), electric vehicles (EVrim 1–5, EVrim-V, EVrim3 Sauto), a solar-powered boat (SATEK), and a planned low-altitude test satellite (SATU).

Technically, SAITEM's capabilities include in-house POE-based solar panel lamination, PEM hydrogen fuel cell integration, full carbon fiber composite body shell manufacturing, and custom battery pack development with cell testing, internal resistance grouping, BMS integration, and spot welding. Vehicles have demonstrated measurable performance: SAHIMO X3 achieved 453 km per liter gasoline equivalent (Shell Eco Marathon Europe 3rd, 2008); EVrim 2 achieved 139 km per kWh (Shell Eco Marathon, 2013); SAGUAR 1 placed 9th globally at the World Solar Challenge in the Silicon Class (2009). Notable sponsors include BİAS Mühendislik (Platinum), HDA POWER (Silver for 2023 Bridgestone WSC), Ford Otosan, Turkish Airlines, Motorola, and 3M.

SAITEM has no commercial revenue model. The organization does not sell products; funding flows from corporate sponsorships (structured in Silver/Gold/Platinum tiers for recent competitions), university support, and in-kind contributions from industrial partners (e.g., mold machining, materials, travel). Its customer base, in the conventional sense, is effectively the competition ecosystem — TÜBİTAK, Shell Eco Marathon, World Solar Challenge, and Teknofest — and the industrial sponsors that anchor each annual build cycle.

Name

SAITEM

Legal name

SAITEM – Sakarya Üniversitesi İleri Teknolojileri Uygulama Merkezi

Website

https://saitem.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

SAITEM is a volunteer student technology community at Sakarya University, founded in 2003, that designs and builds solar, hydrogen, and electric vehicles to compete in international engineering competitions such as World Solar Challenge and Shell Eco Marathon.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Alternative-Energy Vehicles

NAICS

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) (541715)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Demonstration Pilots, Testbeds & Standards Development (Prototype Validation, Certification, Field Trials) (EUAMAOAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Hybrid Renewable Systems & Co-Optimization R&D (Solar+Wind+Storage, Multi-Resource Plants, Controls) (EUAMAOAI)

Keywords

• Alternative energy vehicles
• Solar car development
• Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles
• University engineering competitions
• Carbon fiber composites

Headquarters

HQ city

Serdivan

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Personnel

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

SAITEM is a volunteer university student technology community at Sakarya University that designs, prototypes, and demonstrates alternative-energy vehicles — solar cars, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, electric vehicles, and a solar boat — for participation in international engineering competitions such as the World Solar Challenge, Shell Eco Marathon, TÜBİTAK Formula G, and Teknofest. The team builds in-house capabilities including solar panel lamination, hydrogen fuel cell integration, carbon fiber composite manufacturing, and custom battery pack development to compete against global university and corporate entrants.

Product overview

SAITEM (Sakarya Üniversitesi İleri Teknolojileri Uygulama Topluluğu) is a university technology application community that designs and builds alternative energy vehicles. The portfolio includes SAGUAR series solar vehicles, SAHIMO hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, EVrim electric vehicles, SATEK solar boat, and the planned SATU satellite project. SAGUAR vehicles compete in World Solar Challenge and TUBITAK Formula G; SAHIMO and EVrim vehicles compete in Shell Eco Marathon; SAGUAR-E and SPARK compete in TUBITAK Efficiency Challenge.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SAGUAR: Solar-powered car project series developed by SAITEM (SAkarya GÜneş ARabası)
• SAHIMO
• EVrim
• SATEK
• SAGUAR-E
• SAGUAR-RB
• SPARK

Products and services

• SAGUAR (Solar-Powered Car Series) Solar-powered vehicle series (Sakarya Güneş Arabası) developed by SAITEM for international solar car competitions including the World Solar Challenge (Australia) and TÜBİTAK Formula G (Turkey). Multiple generations incorporate custom POE-laminated flexible solar panels optimized for maximum energy conversion with high light transmittance and minimal weight.
• SAHIMO (Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle) Hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicle (Sakarya Hidrojen Mobil) using PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane) technology with a carbon fiber body shell. Multiple generations including SAHIMO X3, X4, and MEKANO, built for Shell Eco Marathon competition; cost approximately $110,000 per vehicle.
• EVrim (Electric Vehicle Series) Electric vehicle series designed for the Shell Eco Marathon Urban Concept category and Teknofest Robotaksi Autonomous Vehicle Competition. Multiple generations include EVrim, EVrim 2, EVrim 3, EVrim 4, EVrim 5, EVrim-V, and EVrim 3 Sauto autonomous variant; designed for real-life application and more sustainable than the Prototype category.
• SATEK (Solar-Powered Boat) Turkey's first solar-powered boat (Sakarya Güneş Teknesi). 5.36 meters long, 1.96 meters wide, equipped with 800 Wh solar cells, 14,208 Wh propulsion battery, 1,660 Wh service battery, a DC motor with 2:1 gearbox ratio, joystick steering, and a microcontroller-based control system. Reached 10 nautical miles per hour.
• SAGUAR-E (Electric Vehicle for TÜBİTAK Efficiency Challenge) Electric vehicle project built for the TÜBİTAK Efficiency Challenge competition.
• SPARK (Electric Vehicle for TÜBİTAK Efficiency Challenge) Electric vehicle project designed for the TÜBİTAK Efficiency Challenge competition.

Quantifiable outcome

• 453 km per liter of gasoline equivalent — Shell Eco Marathon 2008 Europe 3rd place
• +5 more outcomes

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• BİAS MühendislikcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 January 2022BİAS Mühendislik was Gold Sponsor in 2021 and Platinum Sponsor in 2022. Founded in 1997, it is one of Turkey's oldest engineering firms providing advanced engineering solutions in mechanical engineering disciplines. Their TOSB BİAS Otomotiv Test Merkezi is Turkey's largest private test center with TÜRKAK accreditation. They opened their facilities to SAITEM in December 2021 for vehicle testing. The partnership has continued since 2008.
• MotorolaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 7 March 2009Motorola became a new sponsor for SAITEM in 2009 for the two international competitions the team was participating in that year.
• 3MminorGTM or Marketing Partner3M was a material sponsor providing advanced materials for vehicle construction.
• Ford OtosancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration began in 2009 when Ford Otosan machined the mold for SAHIMO (Sakarya Hİdro Mobil), the hydrogen vehicle that achieved Europe 3rd place. Continued with supply of aluminum billets for EVRIM electric vehicle (Europe 7th place). SAITEM and Ford Otosan planned continued cooperation for future projects.
• ŞişecamminorGTM or Marketing PartnerŞişecam provided all mold materials as a sponsor for the SAHIMO vehicle production, enabling the completion of the vehicle's mold production when the team was struggling to find materials.
• MEKANOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMEKANO was the main project sponsor for SAHIMO (Sakarya Hİdro MObil). The SAHIMO Mekano vehicle was named after the sponsor. MEKANO supported the CNC machining of the 1:1 model, laser scanning, and overall vehicle development.
• PolinminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPolin, a world leader in water slide and water park design, manufacturing, and installation since 1976, became a sponsor for SAGUAR 3 solar vehicle. Polin uses RTM (Resin Transfer Molding) production method.
• Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerTAI (Türk Havacılık ve Uzay Sanayii) is a sponsor of SAITEM, supporting the team with aerospace-grade engineering capabilities and materials.
• TeXtrememinorGTM or Marketing PartnerTeXtreme provided carbon fibre materials as a sponsor to make SAITEM's vehicles lighter for SAGUAR 2.
• Işık PlastikminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIşık Plastik, a leader in industrial sheet production, became a sponsor of SAITEM for SAGUAR 2.
• THY (Turkish Airlines)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerTurkish Airlines provided sponsorship for the SAITEM team to travel to France for Shell Eco Marathon 2008.
• ÖgerTürk TurminorGTM or Marketing PartnerÖgerTürk Tour provided travel support for the SAITEM team to travel to Germany for Shell Eco Marathon 2009.
• ERM GarajminorGTM or Marketing PartnerERM Garaj covered (wrapped/dressed) the EVrim electric vehicle for Shell Eco Marathon 2013.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Tokai University Solar Car Team: Japanese university solar car team with multiple World Solar Challenge victories. Comparable to SAITEM as a long-tenured university program producing purpose-built solar race vehicles.
• KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology): Korean university with student-led teams that have built hydrogen and electric vehicles for Shell Eco Marathon and similar competitions. Closely parallels SAITEM's hydrogen fuel cell (SAHIMO) and EV (EVrim) projects.
• University of Toronto Blue Sky Solar Car: Canadian university team competing in World Solar Challenge with iterative solar vehicle generations. Comparable to SAITEM in university-based R&D model and long-running competition participation.
• Western Sydney Solar Car Team: Australian university solar car team competing in World Solar Challenge (held in Australia). Geographic overlap with SAITEM's World Solar Challenge participation and shared competition format.
• Stanford Solar Car Project: Stanford University student team that designs and races solar-powered vehicles in the World Solar Challenge. Comparable to SAITEM in category (solar car) and competition focus.
• Cambridge University Eco Racing: Cambridge University student team that has built solar-powered race vehicles for World Solar Challenge. Closely comparable to SAITEM in student-team structure, competition target, and vehicle category.
• ETH Zurich (Academic Motorsports Association Zurich): Swiss university team that has built hydrogen and electric racing vehicles for Shell Eco Marathon and Formula Student. Directly comparable to SAITEM's hydrogen (SAHIMO) and EV (EVrim) programs.
• University of Michigan Solar Car Team: Long-running US university solar car team (founded 1989) that has placed top-10 in World Solar Challenge multiple times. Closely analogous to SAITEM's multi-decade operating history and iterative vehicle generations.
• Nuon Solar Team (TU Delft): Student team from Delft University of Technology competing in World Solar Challenge with high-efficiency solar vehicles. Comparable to SAITEM in mission, competition focus, and university-affiliated volunteer model.
• Solar Team Eindhoven: Undergraduate team from Eindhoven University of Technology that builds solar-powered cars for the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge and has won multiple world championships. Most directly comparable to SAITEM's SAGUAR program in vehicle category, competition calendar, and university-team structure.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/saitem
• Facebookfacebook.com/saitem
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/saitem

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SAITEM