What is Startup Istanbul?

Startup Istanbul is a startup ecosystem platform connecting founders, investors, and operators — built around discovery, connections, and founder-focused support.

Are you currently organizing events?

Startup Istanbul is best known for major in-person ecosystem events in earlier years. No new events are currently scheduled. Future editions may return and will be announced when ready.

How can I apply with my startup?

You can apply through the application form on the website. Applications are open, but the process is selective — we don't run a rigid cohort. If there's a fit, we follow up for deeper evaluation.

What is StartupIst Ventures Fund I?

StartupIst Ventures Fund I is an early-stage investment fund that invests globally, sector-agnostic, typically writing $50K–$200K tickets. We often co-invest alongside other VCs/investors and prioritize strong founders.

Etohum is a founder-first platform in Türkiye, founded in 2008. It is the broader organization behind Startup Istanbul (especially in its earlier event years).

Who is Burak Büyükdemir?

Burak Büyükdemir is the founder of Etohum and Startup Istanbul, and the founder of StartupIst Ventures Fund I (global early-stage investing).

How do you work with founders today?

We keep applications open for discovery, but we work with founders in a more selective way: open applications, selective depth, founder-specific support, often 1-on-1, and focused on real progress — not a demo-day calendar.

Do you offer sponsorship or partnership opportunities?

Yes. For sponsorships, partnerships, or co-investing inquiries, please contact us via email at startupistanbul.com/contact.

Hanan Lavy (Microsoft Ventures Accelerator)

Hanan Lavy graduated from the Hebrew University, Department of Computer Sciences and Business Administration. He was a part of the founding team of Proficiency. He held several Research & Development.

Key Insights

He also worked as the director of Research & Development at Mercury / HP Software. Later he founded United Parents which developed a revolutionary child protection service on the web. Currently he is the director of Microsoft Ventures Accelerator.

is heading the Microsoft Accelerator in Israel, which is the first fully-owned and fully-operated Microsoft accelerator worldwide. - See more at: http://www.crunchbase.com/person/hanan-lavy#sthash.pVzWZKvs.dpuf

Further Perspectives

At Proficiency, Hanan held several Research & Development as well as Product Manager positions. - See more at: http://www.crunchbase.com/person/hanan-lavy#sthash.pVzWZKvs.dpuf

part of the founding team of Proficiency, a startup which aims to solve collaboration issues between CAD systems. At Proficiency, Hanan held several Research & Development as well as Product Manager positions. - See more at: http://www.

Looking Ahead

crunchbase. com/person/hanan-lavy#sthash. pVzWZKvs.

Hanan is heading the Microsoft Accelerator in Israel, which is the first fully-owned and fully-operated Microsoft accelerator worldwide. Before joining Microsoft Hanan founded and was the CEO of United Parents, a company that developed a revolutionary child protection service on the web. Before that Hanan was Director of Research and Development at Mercury / HP Software for the company’s fastest growing segment, its application monitoring solution, the Business Availability Center.

Prior to that, Hanan was part of the founding team of Proficiency, a startup which aims to solve collaboration issues between CAD systems. At Proficiency, Hanan held several Research & Development as well as Product Manager positions. Hanan holds a B.

Sc. in Computer Science and Business Administration (with distinction) from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem; he also graduated (with honors) the IDF academy of software (Mamram).

See more at: http://www. crunchbase. com/person/hanan-lavy#sthash. pVzWZKvs.

Key Insights

Further Perspectives

Looking Ahead

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