For Investors 1
For Investors 2

İTÜ Çekirdek, brings the startups it has supported so far together with leading national and international investors and investment networks in the entrepreneurship ecosystem through various platforms.

While investors gain the opportunity to meet startups from different verticals and stages at an early phase, entrepreneurs quickly gain access to investment networks.

To date, startups supported by İTÜ Çekirdek have reached a valuation exceeding 4.7 billion TL and have received investments of more than 773 million TL.

What Does İTÜ Çekirdek Do for Investors and How Does It Connect Startups with Them?

 

Sector-Based Meetings

At İTÜ Çekirdek, sector- or topic-focused entrepreneur–investor meeting days are organized for investors or institutions interested in investments in specific sectors.

 

Demo Day

Startup teams admitted to İTÜ Çekirdek and who successfully complete the 7-week entrepreneurship training are brought together with investors through Demo Days, held four times a year. Angel investment networks, investors, and corporate partners within İTÜ Çekirdek’s ecosystem have the chance to meet startups throughout the year, while investors also have the opportunity to evaluate investment decisions during the process.

 

Big Bang Start-up Challenge Semifinal

Investors who are partners of İTÜ Çekirdek have the chance to get to know and invest in startups that have successfully completed their training programs during the year, developed their ventures in the Pre-Incubation stage, and qualified for the Semifinals of the Big Bang Start-up Challenge.

 

Big Bang Start-up Challenge

All investors have the opportunity to listen to the Top 20 startups—selected among tens of thousands of applications—on stage at Turkey’s entrepreneurship stage, the Big Bang Start-up Challenge. At the same time, they can meet nearly 100 ambitious startups in the foyer area, gaining the chance to get to know and invest in the newest ventures joining the entrepreneurship ecosystem.

 

If you have previously invested in startups or if you say “I can provide financial support to technology startups,” you can become our Investment Partner by filling out the form and meet İTÜ Çekirdek startups!

80+ Investors

With more than 80 investor partners including VCs, CVCs, angel investment networks, and individual investors, our pool provides the opportunity to meet and invest in promising startups alongside leading investors in the sector.

Investor Demo Day

Held at least 4 times a year after each ESJ, the Investor Demo Day brings together our 80+ investor partners. Depending on investor demand, technology/sector-specific (AI, automotive, health, etc.) demo day events are also organized.

Online Introductions

One-on-one introductions are arranged upon request from both investors and entrepreneurs. In 2023, following investor demo days, 300 one-on-one entrepreneur–investor meetings were conducted.

Office Hours with Entrepreneurs

Through Office Hours events with the participation of VCs, CVCs, and angel investors, our entrepreneurs have the chance to directly ask investors about their investment processes. This way, both investors and startups can engage in one-on-one conversations and address their questions directly.

Big Bang Startup Challenge

At the Big Bang Startup Challenge, investors gain the opportunity to listen to the Top 50 startups, selected among thousands of applications, on stage and meet the newest ventures joining the entrepreneurship ecosystem, creating opportunities for investment.