ERDEM GÜNSÜR
I'm an innovation executive with a track record of driving
strategic innovation, digital transformation and sustainable
product development across sectors such as
automotive, construction, mining and manufacturing.
My primary driver is solving some of the most pressing challanges of
our time through creative thinking and multidisciplinary collaborations.
EXPERTISE
- Innovation Strategy and Leadership
- Cross-Disciplinary Collaborations (Biotech, Material Science, Design & Manufacturing)
- Project and Process Management / Agile Methodologies
- DeepTech & Impact Oriented Transformation
- Ecosystem Development (Startups, Academia, and Industry Partners)
AWARDS & INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
- Co-Founder: Catception: Mobile Augmented Reality Game - (Accelerated by Google Developers, 2021)
- Inventor: Patent Publication No: WO/2022/005432 (A Humidity Regulating Material and Production Method Thereof)
- 2019 eVolo Skyscraper Competition: Honorable Mention Award - Project Recombinant
- Scientific Paper: Günsür, E., Mumcu, H., Demir, C., Karagüler, N. G., & Karagüler, M. (2023). Biogenic material design by stone waste treatment with biologically induced mineralization. Bioinspired, Biomimetic and Nanobiomaterials, 12(2), 70-81.
- One of the Top Three at MIT Sloan: Clean ID Project was selected as one of the top 3 projects of the Mastering Design Thinking Executive Education Program at MIT Sloan School of Management (2019).
My Spirit Animals
my guides & companions
the ram
thought me to batter the gates of any stronghold
INTELLECTUAL & CREATIVE CONFIDENCE
the bee
thought me to work hard and work as a hive
MULTIDISCIPLINARY COLLABORATION
the owl
thought me to navigate in the dark
CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2024 - Ford Otosan / Innovation Team Member (Executive Level) | Automotive: Ford Europe's largest commercial vehicle production center
2023 - 2024 Kale Group / Innovation Executive | Manufacturing: One of Europe's Largest Ceramics Manufacturers
2021 - 2022 Kale Group / Marketing & Design Strategies Senior Specialist
2018 - 2021 Kale Group / Marketing & Design Strategies Specialist
2015 - 2018 Founder & Project Lead, Biogenic Material R&D Venture | Biotech - Material Science
2014 - 2015 Strategic Design Consultant, Freelance | Mining & Manufacturing
PROMINENT WORK
- Innovation Management & Business Design: Cura Tile by Kale (2018-2024) Patented Sustainable Product Line
- Corporate Sustainability: Strategy Building & Process Management for Green Transition (2021-2024)
- Omnichannel Strategy & Digital Platform Creation: Kale Core Project (2019-2021)
- Digitalization of Brick & Mortar Sales Points: Kale Design Lab Phygital Sales Experience Project (2020)
- Corporate Stratgey & Purpose Building: Collaboration with R/GA London (2019)
- Multidisciplinary Ideation & Creative Collaboration: eVolo Skyscraper Competition Project in collaboration with PIN Architects & Istanbul Technical University Molecular Biology Biotechnology & Genetics Research Center
- Joint Product Development & Innovation Collaboration: Kale / Unilever Turkey (the joint sanitary solution concept was ranked 1st among all Unilever Future Mindset Projects (Domestos + Cif Product Lines) by Unilever Turkey) (2018)
- From RnD Labs to Pilot Plants: Industrial Upscaling Experience (2018-2024)
- Product & Design Management: Birsel+Seck LLC Collaboration (2018-2019)
- 3D Fabrication of Industrial Ceramic Bodies: WASP Collaboration (2018)
PROMINENT ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS
- Theoric + In-Lab Biotech Experience: 3+ years on-hand lab research at the protein engineering & metagenomics labs of Istanbul Technical University Molecular Biology Biotechnology & Genetics Research Center (2016-2018)
- Accepted to Rhode Island School of Design (USA), Master of Design in Interior Studies (2+ Years) with a scholarship and an assistanship offer (2013)
- Editor: Highschool Magazine ‘Snoring - The Sound of a Sleeping Nation’: Koç School (2004-2006)
- Caricaturist: Highschool Magazine ‘T.A.W.A.- This Announcement Was About’: Koç School (2004-2006)
- Lead Actor & Playwrite: English Drama Club, Koç School (2003-2004, 2007-2008)
EXECUTIVE EDUCATION
2020-2021 Sabanci University (Turkey)
Executive Development Unit
Digital Transformation & Innovation Micro MBA Programme
2019 Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Sloan School of Management (USA)
Mastering Design Thinking Executive Education
EDUCATION
2014-2018 Istanbul Technical University (Turkey) /
Stuttgart Technology University of Applied Sciences (Germany)
International Master of Interior Architectural Design
2008-2013 Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University (Turkey)
Faculty of Architecture Bachelor of Interior Architecture
2004-2008 The Koç School (Turkey)
Maths and Science Highschool Programme
LANGUAGES
High Level English (TOEFL IBT 2017: 107/120) (IELTS Computer Based 2019: 8.0/9.0)
Intermediate Level German
Native Turkish
SOCIAL SKILLS
PUBLIC SPEAKING
I have always loved to be on stage. The English Drama Club (during elementary & highscool) had a vital impact on my public speaking skills. Besides acting on stage, I also had the chance to write and direct plays which gave me an overall understanding on addressing to a specific crowd of people and actively recieving feedback.
It helped me to grow a certain sense of empathy towards the people I'm addressing - which I believe is an essential factor in design processes.
VISUAL ARTS & PAINTING
I was painting long before I was able to read or write. And never abandoned it ever since. I believe the act of painting is to be the most refined and unique way of human expression.
The ability to render any abstarct idea through a physical form (whether it be through paper & ink or through various softwares) greatly enhances creative idea generation.
TEAMWORK
I have always been curious towards learning from other people (especially people from different disciplines and backgrounds). And the best way to do so, in my opinion, is to work with them.
For me, one of the most fulfilling aspects about life is working with a group of people united around certain ideas and ideals - and realizing such ideas.
MY LOVE OF THE SEA
I spent a major part of my childhood on a sailboat. Being at sea greatly influenced my personality in terms of discipline, change adaptation, sound decision making and respect towards nature.
I love moving out of my comfort-zone and discovering new & challenging ventures since I'm accustomed to being on water rather than the ground.
My dad is a software engineer, my mom is an artist, and curiosity is my best friend - I've always seen myself positioned at where they all intersect.
