Endeavor Turkey and Akbank Empowering Technology Startups with Boost the Future
Foreks - The 6th Cycle of Boost The Future, launched with the support of Endeavor Turkey and Akbank (IS:AKBNK) LAB, began on October 17 with 10 new startups that have qualified to join the program.
Boost the Future, an entrepreneurial acceleration program created in collaboration with Endeavor Turkey, a network supporting active entrepreneurs worldwide since 2007, and Akbank’s innovation center, Akbank LAB, kicked off its 6th cycle on October 17.
Burcu Civelek Yüce, Deputy General Manager of Akbank Individual Banking and Digital Solutions and a board member of Endeavor Turkey, stated that their goal is to bring new success stories to the Turkish entrepreneurship ecosystem: “We see entrepreneurship as one of the fundamental tools for carrying our country and the world into the future. In this context, we continue our efforts for the development of the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem without interruption. Boost the Future, which reflects this commitment, is preparing to empower successful startups in its 6th cycle. Once again, we will play a role in scaling, growing, and opening technology ventures to the international arena with a next-generation approach. We are fully confident that together with our entrepreneurs, we will create new success stories.”
After the opening speech, a discussion was held with Endeavor Entrepreneur and Board Member Fırat İşbecer. During the conversation, İşbecer emphasized the importance of careful selection when expanding teams in early-stage startups, saying, “I always tell the very early-stage startups I invest in as an angel investor to be very cautious when bringing in team members at decision-making levels, because even hiring two new employees can represent significant growth for newly established companies. A team of two founders becomes 100% larger when they hire two employees.”
Endeavor Turkey General Secretary Aslı Kurul Türkmen highlighted the vast potential in nearly 40 emerging markets, including Turkey, stating, “Endeavor Global provides a suitable platform for Endeavor entrepreneurs to give back to their ecosystems as role models through the Endeavor Catalyst Fund, which invests in Endeavor ventures. This year, Endeavor Catalyst ranked first in the Kauffman Fund Returners Index. This achievement proves that high venture capital returns can also be found in locations outside of Silicon Valley for all countries where Endeavor operates. As Endeavor, we are proud to have 59 unicorns and 24 successful exits in our portfolio, including companies like Bending Spoons, Careem, and InstaDeep.”
Ten startups were selected for the 10-week acceleration program, which includes: 100sClub, a career platform supported by artificial intelligence; Binclusive, a B2B solution that makes websites and mobile applications accessible for individuals with disabilities; bottomUP, a social finance application powered by artificial intelligence; Bounce Watch, which offers real-time tracking of startup performance and effective deal flow management; Carbon Gate, which allows businesses to measure, track, and report their carbon footprints; Eachlabs, which accelerates product development processes by offering AI models and services on a single platform; Hardal, which provides server-side marketing measurement and analytics for websites or mobile applications; LetsParky, which offers innovative and smart parking solutions for city parking; Lumian Energy, which provides software solutions in energy and sustainability; and Passgage, which addresses employee engagement and time management issues.
The selected entrepreneurs will be eligible to participate in specially designed trainings and workshops of Boost the Future, receiving support from Endeavor’s experienced mentors throughout the 10-week program and the chance to meet with investors. Additionally, they will be closely monitored by Endeavor’s Entrepreneur Selection and Support team, giving them priority participation in Endeavor Local Selection Panels and the opportunity to work closely with Akbank LAB.
The program, which will last approximately three months, will conclude with a Demo Day event that will connect entrepreneurs with investors. The Demo Day will feature significant representatives of the Turkish entrepreneurial ecosystem, and entrepreneurs will have a valuable opportunity to present themselves and seek investment.