Bilim Kahramanları Derneği

What Bilim Kahramanları Derneği does

Bilim Kahramanları Derneği is a Turkish non-profit association (dernek) founded in 2011 and headquartered in Istanbul, Sarıyer, that delivers STEM education programs to children and youth aged 4-19 across Turkey. The organization is the exclusive Turkish national operator of international branded programs — FIRST LEGO League Discover (ages 4-6), FIRST LEGO League Explore (ages 6-10), FIRST LEGO League Challenge (ages 9-16), and World Robot Olympiad Türkiye — licensed through the international FIRST Foundation. Beyond the franchise core, the association runs supplementary projects including Merak Makinesi (aviation/space engineering), Kızlar Bilimle Buluşuyor (girls-in-STEM gender-equity program), Bilim Gençlerle Kazanacak (high-school mentorship with scientists), Newton Projects, STEM Destek Programı (equity access for disadvantaged children), Bilim Kahramanları Atölyeleri, and the annual Yılın Bilim İnsanı (Young Scientist Awards).

The underlying delivery model combines hands-on robotics kits and project-based learning delivered through physical workshops, science festivals, school partnerships, and virtual platforms (including post-pandemic online workshops via Zoom and digital channels). Operational infrastructure comprises 66 employees, a nationwide volunteer network organized through provincial representatives (İl Temsilcileri), a custom Volunteer Portal (gonullu.bilimkahramanlari.org) developed through the Koç Holding/UNDP BOOST acceleration program, and a donation platform (fonzip.com/bilimkahramanlari/bagis). The organization also maintains sub-brands — Umut Bilimde (Hope in Science), Minik Bilim Kahramanları, and STEM Elçileri (STEM Ambassadors) — for campaign and educator branding.

Bilim Kahramanları Derneği operates as a donation- and grant-funded association with no program fees charged to participants. Revenue is generated through corporate project sponsorships (Boeing, Pfizer Türkiye, AstraZeneca Türkiye, Koç Holding, SmartMessage, Akbank, BOSCH), institutional grants (Sivil Toplum için Destek Vakfı/Turkey Mozaik Foundation, EU Türkiye Delegation Sivil Düşün Programı, Esas Sosyal İlk Fırsat Programı), and individual donations. Distribution occurs via direct partnerships with public schools, Science Art Centers (Bilim Sanat Merkezleri), corporate workplace programs for employees' children, municipal collaborations, and self-serve online channels. Beneficiary segments include preschool children through high schoolers, with explicit targeting of girls, high school students, and disadvantaged/underserved children as secondary segments.

Name

Bilim Kahramanları Derneği

Legal name

Bilim Kahramanları Derneği

Website

https://bilimkahramanlari.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Bilim Kahramanları Derneği is a Turkish non-profit association and the exclusive national operator of FIRST LEGO League and World Robot Olympiad programs, delivering STEM education to children and youth ages 4-19 across Turkey through corporate-sponsored, donation-funded programs including girls-in-STEM and disadvantaged-children equity initiatives.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

STEM Education Programs

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Computer Training (611420)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Competition Robotics Teams & Coaching (FLL/FTC/FRC, VEX) (EDAMADAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

STEM & Coding Readiness for Early Learners (EDACANAF), Math & STEM Learning Technology (incl. Coding/Robotics Platforms) (EDAJAMAG), STEM & Maker Education (Makerspaces, Coding Clubs, Robotics) (EDAAAFAL)

Keywords

• STEM education programs
• Robotics competitions
• Youth science education
• Nonprofit education
• Science workshops

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Bilim Kahramanları Derneği operates a portfolio of STEM education programs and robotics competitions for children and youth aged 4-19 across Turkey. Its core offerings include the age-tiered FIRST LEGO League programs (Discover for ages 4-6, Explore for ages 6-10, Challenge for ages 9-16) and the World Robot Olympiad Turkey, complemented by science workshops, festivals, the Young Scientist Awards, and equity-focused projects such as the STEM Destek Programı, Kızlar Bilimle Buluşuyor, and Bilim Gençlerle Kazanacak.

Product overview

Bilim Kahramanları Derneği operates a portfolio of interconnected STEM education programs and initiatives. The core offerings include FIRST LEGO League programs tiered by age (Discover for ages 4-6, Explore for ages 6-10, Challenge for ages 9-16) and World Robot Olympiad Türkiye (WRO) spanning elementary to university levels. These competition-based programs are complemented by the STEM Support Program that provides equity access to disadvantaged students, the Young Scientist Awards recognizing youth achievement, and project-based initiatives including Merak Makinesi (Curiosity Machine), Bilim Gençlerle Kazanacak (Science Will Win with Youth), Kızlar Bilimle Buluşuyor (Girls Meet Science), and Bilim Kahramanları Atölyeleri (Science Heroes Workshops). The organization also maintains a Volunteer Portal for operational management. Together, these offerings form a comprehensive ecosystem from early childhood STEM exposure through youth recognition, unified by the 'Umut Bilimde' (Hope in Science) mission.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Umut Bilimde: A campaign/movement slogan meaning 'Hope is in Science', used as an overarching campaign theme for fundraising and awareness activities.
• Minik Bilim Kahramanları
• STEM Elçileri

Products and services

• Minik Bilim Kahramanları Keşfediyor / FIRST LEGO League Discover A play-based early STEM program for children aged 4-6 designed to nurture curiosity and develop problem-solving skills and self-confidence through yearly themed activities.
• Minik Bilim Kahramanları Buluşuyor / FIRST LEGO League Explore A program for children aged 6-10 that encourages early exploration of science and technology through hands-on robotics and project-based learning.
• Bilim Kahramanları Buluşuyor / FIRST LEGO League Challenge A 10-14 week program for youth aged 9-16 where teams work as scientists to address globally relevant themes, developing valuable skills through research and robotics.
• Dünya Robot Olimpiyatı Türkiye / World Robot Olympiad Türkiye (WRO) An international robotics competition spanning elementary school to university, aimed at developing students' idea generation and problem-solving skills through educational robot tournaments and activities.
• Yılın Bilim İnsanı / Young Scientist Awards Annual awards project conducted in collaboration with three university rectors to recognize and celebrate young scientists.
• STEM Destek Programı / STEM Support Program A comprehensive program that provides team support to enable disadvantaged children and youth who cannot access STEM programs through their own means to participate in Bilim Kahramanları programs, supporting teachers as STEM Ambassadors.
• Merak Makinesi / Curiosity Machine A STEM project aimed at developing children's inquiry, problem-solving skills, and creativity while increasing their interest in engineering and science, featuring hands-on design activities with everyday materials related to space and aviation.
• Bilim Gençlerle Kazanacak / Science Will Win with Youth A project supported by Pfizer Turkey that connects high school students aged 14-18 with scientists through innovative science workshops held both online and in-person across multiple cities.
• Kızlar Bilimle Buluşuyor / Girls Meet Science A project aimed at increasing girls' participation in scientific processes and instilling gender equality in basic sciences and engineering at an early age, implemented with support from Sivil Toplum için Destek Vakfı and Turkey Mozaik Foundation.
• Newton Projeleri / Newton Projects STEM-focused projects developed to support science education and innovation among children and youth.
• Bilim Kahramanları Atölyeleri / Science Heroes Workshops STEM workshops established in Diyarbakır at three public schools for children aged 4-16, funded by the FIRST STEM Equity Community Innovation grant, serving 2,890 children.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Pfizer TürkiyecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2021Primary sponsor of Bilim Gençlerle Kazanacak project, bringing high school students (14-18 years) together with scientists. First phase (December 2021 - January 2023) reached 246 students from 28 cities with 17 events. Second phase began September 2023.
• AstraZeneca TürkiyecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Three-year partnership implementing Minik Bilim Kahramanları Buluşuyor (FIRST LEGO League Explore) project. In 2020-2021 season, 10 public schools from 5 cities participated. Provides STEM opportunities for children who cannot access programs independently, along with teacher training.
• SmartMessagecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019SmartMessage, an omni-channel marketing and customer experience platform, has been supporting Bilim Kahramanları Derneği since 2019. The platform supports both internal communication processes among volunteers, members, supporters, and teachers, as well as public awareness campaigns. Regular support under the 'Umut Bilimde' (Hope is in Science) campaign continues.
• FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational foundation that owns FIRST LEGO League Discover, Explore, and Challenge programs, as well as the World Robot Olympiad. Bilim Kahramanları Derneği serves as the national operator/licensee for Turkey.
• Koç Holding ve UNDPmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBOOST Sivil Toplum Teknoloji Hızlandırma Programı (Civil Society Technology Acceleration Program) partnership. Bilim Kahramanları Derneği was among 20 selected NGOs and continued to phase 2 (one of 7), receiving 24 weeks of acceleration support to develop the Gönüllü Portalı (Volunteer Portal).
• Zorlu Grubu Kıvılcım HareketimajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Bilimi Keşfet project, developing content for 3rd and 4th grade students to experience scientific thinking and learn about products/services from parents' workplaces.
• AkbankminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerŞehrin İyi Hali project partnership (2020-2021), organizing 'Umut Bilimde – STEM'le Dünyayı Değiştiriyoruz!' workshops for university students.
• İstanbul Büyükşehir Belediyesi Zemin İstanbulminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVirtual Merak Makinesi workshops and International Space Day activities conducted in collaboration with Zemin İstanbul, reaching children from various cities.
• Bahçeşehir Üniversitesi STEM Merkezi (BAUSTEM)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner for impact assessment of Kızlar Bilimle Buluşuyor project, conducting surveys and focus groups with participating girls and teachers.
• Fuarcılık A.Ş. ve İzmir Büyükşehir BelediyesimajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizers of FIRST LEGO League Open International Turkey 2019 in Izmir (May 22-25, 2019), hosting 82 teams from over 40 countries.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• STEM Learning (UK): UK-based non-profit operating STEM enrichment programs, competitions, and teacher training for schools. Comparable as a national STEM non-profit running competitions and school-based programs with similar age-tiered portfolio structure.
• TEV (Türkiye Eğitim Vakfı / Turkish Education Foundation): Turkish non-profit foundation providing scholarships and education support. Comparable as a domestic Turkish education non-profit with similar fundraising and donor engagement model, though focused on scholarships rather than STEM programs.

Emerging players

• Technovation: Non-profit running global technology entrepreneurship programs for girls aged 10-18. Comparable as a girls-in-STEM non-profit with international reach and corporate sponsorship model.
• KiwiCo: STEM activity kit and project subscription company serving children with hands-on science and engineering activities. Comparable as a STEM engagement provider for children in the same age range with project-based learning approach.
• Girls Who Code: Non-profit focused on closing the gender gap in technology through club programs and summer immersion for girls. Directly comparable mission overlap with the Kızlar Bilimle Buluşuyor program and similar equity-in-STEM positioning.
• Science Buddies: US non-profit providing K-12 STEM project resources, science fair guidance, and educator tools. Comparable as a STEM-enabling non-profit serving students and teachers across multiple grade levels.

Direct peers

• FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology): The international foundation that owns and licenses the FIRST LEGO League and World Robot Olympiad programs that Bilim Kahramanları Derneği operates in Turkey. Most directly comparable as the licensor and strategic counterpart in the same STEM competition ecosystem.
• Science Olympiad: US-based STEM competition organization that runs team-based science and engineering tournaments for K-12 students. Closely comparable operating model: non-profit, school-based teams, tournament-driven engagement, and corporate sponsorship structure.

Broad incumbents

• Code.org: Large US-based non-profit promoting computer science and STEM education in K-12 schools. Comparable as a globally-recognized STEM non-profit with school partnerships, corporate sponsorships, and equity-focused programming for underrepresented students.
• TÜBİTAK (The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey): Turkey's national science agency that runs STEM competitions and research programs for youth. Comparable as the broader incumbent Turkish institution supporting STEM talent development, with much wider scope (national research funding) than the subject association.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/BilimKahraman
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/bilimkahramanlari
• Facebookfacebook.com/bilimkahramanlari
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bilim-kahramanlar%C4%B1-derne%C4%9Fi
• Instagraminstagram.com/bilimkahramanlari

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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