CVC Bosphorus'24 shed light on the investment world

The second Corporate Venture Capital Conference was organized by the Girişimci Kurumlar Platformu (GKP) in cooperation with Özyeğin University and under the main sponsorship of Fiba Holding under the name CVC Bosphorus'24. In addition to corporate venture capitals, 26 speakers took part in the conference, which was attended by local and foreign senior executives from the investment world and corporate companies, with nearly 500 participants from approximately 250 companies.

At CVC Bosphorus'24, which shaped its theme as cooperation and growing together in the field of investment, trends, developments and solutions to common problems in the investment world were discussed under the motto "Invest Together, Stronger Together".

"We need business leaders with an entrepreneurial and founding perspective"

Following the opening speech of Founder of the Girişimci Kurumlar Platformu and Entrepreneurship Rector Advisor at Özyeğin University İhsan Elgin, Founder and Honorary Chairperson of Fiba Group Hüsnü Özyeğin and General Manager and Board Member of Fibabanka Ömer Mert discussed entrepreneurship in the business world.

Founder and Honorary Chairperson of Fiba Group Hüsnü Özyeğin: "In the business world, entrepreneurs generally try to find financing by traveling around the markets and sharing their business ideas with investors. I follow a different method. I find successful business leaders who have been professional managers for many years and convince them to become entrepreneurs. I call this 'individual capital initiative'. I know that when I bring the right people together, giving them freedom will bring success." Stating that there is a need for managers with entrepreneurial and founding perspectives in the business world, Özyeğin added that in a rapidly changing world, the approach of managers who are content with 10-20 percent annual growth has been left behind.

Stating that successful entrepreneurship in the business world is also based on education, Özyeğin said, "I believe that universities need to establish stronger relations with the outside world. We started the first entrepreneurship undergraduate program in Türkiye at Özyeğin University. When we look at the world, we see that the professions of the future are undergoing a rapid transformation. This year, we are launching an undergraduate program for future professions that will support entrepreneurship at Özyeğin University."

Fibabanka General Manager Ömer Mert explained the contribution of the bank to the digitalization vision and the value it provides to startups with the investments they have made as Fibabanka. In his speech, Ömer Mert said, "We witnessed the rapid development of many startups during the pandemic. However, in the current conjuncture, access to money for startups has become much more difficult. Banks are hesitant to provide loans to startups. As Fibabanka, we both respond to the financial needs of startups and support their growth processes with our knowledge and experience. We know that the issue does not end with providing capital support to startups. Our goal is to create big global players from Türkiye. The way to create great values from Türkiye is through corporate venture capital companies joining forces and providing serious support to startups. We call for cooperation to achieve this goal."

Corporate venture capital is growing

In his opening speech, Founder of the Girişimci Kurumlar Platformu and Entrepreneurship Rector Advisor at Özyeğin University İhsan Elgin shared the data of the corporate venture capital sector in Türkiye and stated that investments from institutions constitute almost half of the total investments in Türkiye. Drawing attention to the growth of corporate venture capital and emphasizing the importance of working together with other investment companies, Elgin said: "Corporate venture capital investments have been steadily increasing in Türkiye since 2019. As of the end of 2023, there are 83 corporate venture capital companies. Institutions realize one out of every 3 investments. When we look at the amount of investment, it is seen that approximately half of all investments come from corporate funds. Therefore, corporate venture capital should no longer be considered as a supporting actor, but as the main actor. Startups should also learn to work together with institutions because corporate venture capital brings more than money, serious business experience and business connections for startups."

Featured strategies were discussed

At CVC Bosphorus 24, different sessions were held on many topics such as investor ecosystem, early stage and growth stage investments in the world, sustainability, and regulations; Founders and senior executives from Akfen Holding, Ak Portfolio, İnci Holding, Istanbul Asset Management Initiative, Limak Investment, Paribu Ventures, Re-Pie Portfolio, Turkey Development Fund, Yapı Kredi, Yapı Kredi Portfolio, LTV Capital, Compose VC, EdenBase, Remus Capital, Nuwa Capital, Portage, Princeville Capital, QED Investors, Giant Ventures shared their experiences and developments in the sector.