16/04/2013
“Sabancı Entrepreneurship Summit I” took place in Adana
Sabancı University MBA Club began the Entrepreneurship Seminars series to propagate the nationwide expansion of the entrepreneurial vision. Held in the name of Sakıp Sabancı, one of Turkey’s leading entrepreneurs, the series kicked off in Adana on April 11, 2013 in partnership with the Çukurova University Synergy Club.
Ranking first on the Turkish Ministry of Science, Industry and Technology’s “University Entrepreneurship and Innovation Index,” Sabancı University’s MBA Club held the Sabancı Entrepreneurship Summit I in Adana, at the Çukurova University Medical School “Hippocrates” Hall on Thursday, April 11, 2013. Sponsored by the Sabancı Foundation, the summit aims to foster the nationwide adoption of entrepreneurship and encourage young people to look for opportunities.
Held in partnership with the Çukurova University Synergy Club, the event featured Sabancı University Faculty Member Dr. Selim Balcısoy on “The Roadmap of the Entrepreneur”, Technology Development Foundation of Turkey (TTGV) Secretary-General Mete Çakmakçı on “The DNA of Entrepreneurship”, Galata Business Angels Founding Partner Serhat Görgün on “Entrepreneurship from the Investor Perspective” and Yemeksepeti.com Founder Melih Ödemiş on “The Story of Internet Entrepreneurship in Turkey since 2000: Yemeksepeti.com”
"Be ready to restart every day"
Sabancı University Faculty Member Dr. Selim Balcısoy emphasized that entrepreneurship is not done just for money, and that while entrepreneurs must enjoy what they do, their ideas must be meaningful for the lives of people. Speaking on the importance of working in newly-founded companies, Dr. Balcısoy said it was very important to understand the dynamics there. Dr. Balcısoy urged young entrepreneurs to act fast, and said, "Losing is in the nature of this business; be ready to restart every day."
What it takes to be a good entrepreneur
Speaking on “The DNA of Entrepreneurship," Mete Çakmakçı, Secretary-General of the Technology Development Foundation of Turkey (TTGV), said that entrepreneurship is acquired by developing one's own personality skills. Çakmakçı said that the main expectation from an entrepreneur was the ability to offer the right product or service at the right time and place. Mete Çakmakçı explained that the entrepreneur was a person who had the capability and motivation to leverage existing tools and possibilities to create a new value. Defining the personality traits of successful entrepreneurs, Mete Çakmakçı stressed self-awareness, curiosity, effective listening, compelling storytelling, questioning and organizational skills.
Spotting a strong investor
Galata Business Angels Founding Partner Serhat Görgün spoke on “Entrepreneurship from the Investor Perspective," explaining ways for entrepreneurs to access financing and investors, and told prospective entrepreneurs what to watch out for when contacting investors. Görgün explained how investors assess potential entrepreneurs, and gave tips to entrepreneurs for evaluating potential investors. According to Görgün, strong investors invest in people not trends, move to look for great ideas, are not afraid of failure, know how to manage portfolios and support portfolio companies, are good coaches, and do not wait for other investors to take the lead.
The success story of Yemeksepeti.com
In his lecture titled “The Story of Internet Entrepreneurship in Turkey since 2000: Yemeksepeti.com,” founder Melih Ödemiş shared his experiences since the foundation of the website.
Lectures were followed by questions from the floor. Participants received certificates at the end of the event.
