Türkiye’s entrepreneurial ecosystem continues to achieve momentum with the initiation of latest funding funds regardless of the worldwide inflationary surroundings. Venture capital funding funds, notably in Türkiye and the encircling area, persist in directing investments amid difficult financial circumstances worldwide.
Türkiye’s first company enterprise capital fund, 212, has established its third fund to succeed in 70 million euros ($75.46 million). Focused on the Turkish market, 212 seeks to maintain investments in ventures working in Türkiye, Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. Furthermore, the fund will prolong assist to entrepreneurs who’ve established corporations in superior markets however keep hyperlinks with their house nations.
Numan Numan, co-founder of 212, expressed their dedication to replicating the success of the primary two funds.
“The criteria, which we refer to as ‘dragon,’ emphasizing the return on investment at exit, remains a vital benchmark. With this fund, we broaden our focus to a more extensive geography, perceiving stronger and more abundant opportunities than ever before,” stated Numan.
“We will especially focus more on entrepreneurs who have founded companies in advanced markets, the so-called diaspora, and who maintained ties with their home countries. Additionally, our venture capital investment fund, Simya VC, which was initiated last year to invest in early-stage ventures, will also support our new fund, providing greater access to entrepreneurs. Moreover, we will persist in our investments with Türkiye’s first vertical deep technology fund, 212 NexT, which was launched in collaboration with Akkök Holding recently.”
New horizon for sport ventures
Meanwhile, Hedef Portföy and WePlay Ventures have collectively established the WePlay enterprise capital funding fund, which obtained a inexperienced mild from the Capital Markets Board (SPK).
The VCIF established with the only asset mannequin will turn into a companion with the gaming funding firm WePlay Ventures, which has 38 totally different gaming ventures in its portfolio from eight nations in Türkiye, Europe and Central Asia.
Operational since 2020 with workplaces in eight nations, WePlay Ventures is among the many most lively sport funding corporations in Europe and Central Asia. The firm attracted consideration final yr with a profitable exit from Udo Games after an 11-month funding.
Focusing on early-stage gaming corporations in cellular, PC, console and Web3 areas, WePlay Ventures boasts a portfolio of 38 sport ventures from eight nations. Through its acceleration program, WePlay HUB, launched final yr, the corporate has began to supply very critical assist for early-stage sport ventures in technical and administration areas and quickly expanded its portfolio.
New success tales
212, which shares its world and native experiences within the areas that ventures want alongside funding assist, will proceed to spend money on globally rising expertise corporations within the B2B area in Türkiye, Central and Eastern Europe, and the Middle East and North Africa Region with the brand new fund.
It may also proceed to assist entrepreneurs who’ve established their corporations in developed markets and have ties to their very own nations.
“Since our inception, we have made significant contributions to the entrepreneurship ecosystem with our first two funds and set several milestones. With 29 investments to date, our managed assets have exceeded 100 million euros. We take pride in being the institutional investor in Türkiye’s first and biggest fintech exit, Iyzico and the first unicorn in the software field, Insider,” stated Numan.
“Our commitment goes beyond providing funding; we also contribute to the transition of ventures to the next stage. Our expanding network over the past 12 years has brought significant benefits to the ventures in our portfolio. With our third fund, we are determined to create success stories just like we did with the first two funds. Approximately 60% of our new fund comes from investors who have been with us in previous funds, which is highly valuable to us,” he famous.
Continued alternatives
Ali Karabey, co-founder of 212, emphasised that with their 12 years of expertise, they provide dynamic funds tailor-made to buyers by understanding market wants.
“In addition to the traditional fund management model, we also provide new investment opportunities for investors seeking high returns by taking risks. We establish special purpose vehicles (SPVs) to provide more support to successful portfolio companies and enable investors to make follow-on investments,” stated Karabey.
“Thanks to the flexibility we demonstrate in responding to market conditions, our investors have the opportunity to have a higher stake in the growth potential of successful companies. We will continue to provide opportunities not only for ventures but also for our investors,” he famous.
Investing in gaming ventures
WePlay VCIF is geared toward reaching a dimension of 10 million euros. The single-asset VCIF mannequin, garnering vital curiosity in recent times, affords buyers the chance to hitch WePlay Ventures’ current portfolio.
WePlay Ventures, with WePlay VCIF, goals to develop its operations in Europe and Central Asia to 18 nations and add greater than 350 gaming ventures to its portfolio inside 4 years, aspiring to turn into essentially the most lively gaming funding firm within the area.
Bora Koçyiğit, managing companion of WePlay Ventures, highlighted the corporate’s contributions to the gaming ecosystem.
“Since 2020, WePlay Ventures has made significant contributions to the development of the gaming ecosystem in Türkiye and the region, adding 38 game ventures to our portfolio. Besides financial support, we provide strategic support to ventures, enabling them to scale much faster. With WePlay VCIF, we aim to reach early-stage gaming ventures not only in Türkiye but also in Europe and Central Asia, targeting over 350 investments,” stated Koçyiğit.
Ercan Güner, normal supervisor of Hedef Portfolio, expressed confidence within the three way partnership with WePlay.
“Within the framework of our imaginative and prescient to assist the entrepreneurship ecosystem, we’ve determined to collaborate with WePlay Ventures, which makes a big contribution to the gaming world. We consider that with the joint initiative of WePlay and Hedef Portfolio, WePlay VCIF will likely be a game-changer within the world gaming sector, stated Güner.
“The gaming industry is one of the world’s largest sectors with a massive market size of $200 billion. It is also the fastest-growing sector in the world, with 3.2 billion active gamers and a 248% growth trend. We are pleased to invest in a promising and innovative sector presenting WePlay GSYF to all investors under the 0% tax and 0% withholding tax regime.”
Entrepreneurial marathon gathers 150 innovators from quake area
Entrepreneurship is essential in addressing native challenges in 11 Turkish provinces devastated by the earthquakes earlier this yr.
The Sabancı Hatay Incubation Center, established in collaboration with the Habitat Association and Sabancı Group corporations, together with Brisa, Kordsa, Temsa and Teknosa, continues to nurture the entrepreneurial spirit within the quake-affected areas.
Aiming to combine native entrepreneurs into the Turkish and world entrepreneurship ecosystem, the middle hosted a serious occasion between Nov. 24-26.
The Entrepreneurship Marathon, with almost 150 candidates from Hatay and Adana, was organized in collaboration with the Habitat Association, supported by Sabancı Volunteers and Viveka. Teams collaborating within the marathon obtained coaching on sustainable entrepreneurship, design considering, buyer profiling, consumer situation creation, business mannequin canvas, storytelling, model creation and presentation methods from skilled mentors.
5 groups advance to finals
Themed “Solutions for Local Issues After Disasters,” the Sabancı Hatay Incubation Center Entrepreneurship Marathon lasted 48 hours.
Throughout the occasion, 23 groups designed varied initiatives utilizing the facility of expertise in catastrophe administration to create a safer, extra resilient, and inclusive society. The groups “Guideverse,” “Hatay’ı Yaşat,” “Circular Trade,” “Makarnaapp,” and “Koza” efficiently superior to the second stage and earned the best to attend an acceleration program.
Grants of $3,450
Apart from the 5 groups advancing to the second stage, all different entrepreneurs proceed to develop their business concepts within the shared workspace on the Sabancı Hatay Incubation Center. The finalist groups, nonetheless, could have the chance to additional improve and commercialize their concepts throughout a three-week on-line acceleration program.
Under this system, groups will obtain coaching and mentorship from Sabancı Group executives, Sabancı Volunteers and the Habitat Association, masking varied facets from advertising and product growth to authorized processes.
Following this system, throughout the Demo Day, the groups will current their initiatives for analysis by the jury. Two profitable groups with essentially the most modern concepts will likely be rewarded with TL 100,000 ($3,450) in grant assist.
TT Ventures spotlights startup funding technique
In a bid to drive innovation, Türk Telekom, the corporate behind Türkiye’s first startup acceleration program, PILOT, continues to bolster its investments by way of its enterprise capital arm.
TT Ventures is strategically investing in startups that align with its imaginative and prescient, leveraging its various portfolio and assist mechanisms to contribute to the expansion and success of modern enterprises in Türkiye and past.
The agency lately disclosed the focal factors and analysis standards that information its investments in startups.
The enterprise capital agency emphasised 4 essential standards in its analysis course of: group, product, market, and business mannequin. TT Ventures underscores the significance of skilled groups with robust communication expertise, daring goals and a ardour for his or her work.
According to TT Ventures, its major funding focus lies in startups that may synergize with the Türk Telekom Group, aiming to scale their companies quickly and possessing excessive development potential. The agency employs versatile strategies to spend money on such ventures, with the overarching aim of offering sustainable shareholder worth.
Broad funding portfolio
TT Ventures has, till now, invested in startups throughout varied sectors, together with training, well being care and software program. Yet, its expansive funding focus extends past these realms to cowl 21 totally different areas.
The agency is especially fascinated about 5G applied sciences, “gamification” applied sciences, synthetic intelligence, retail applied sciences, digital services, regulatory applied sciences, gaming and esports, and well being applied sciences.
Apart from direct funding in startups, TT Ventures affords assist in increasing to world markets, offering advertising communication help, and aiding in fast business development. This multifaceted strategy underscores the agency’s dedication to fostering innovation and sustainable growth inside the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
