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.

Dave McClure will be on stage at Startup Istanbul

Do you want to listen Dave McClure at Startup Istanbul? Join us in the biggest networking event in the region.

[](/uploads/2014/08/davemcclure-1. jpg/)Dave McClure is a venture capitalist and founding partner at 500 Startups, an internet startup seed fund & incubator program headquartered in Mountain View, CA. Dave has been geeking out in Silicon Valley for over twenty years as a software developer, entrepreneur, startup advisor & investor, blogger, and internet marketing nerd.

Dave’s passion is helping startups with product & marketing strategy, and he is regular speaker on technology & entrpreneurship topics such as startup metrics. He has invested in over 250 startup companies including: Mint. com (acquired by Intuit), CreditKarma, MakerBot, Mashery, Sendgrid, Simply Hired, SlideShare, TeachStreet (acquired by Amazon), Twilio, TaskRabbit, andWildfire Interactive, among others.

He also runs conferences and events ontechnology, marketing, design, & entrepreneurship such as SMASHsummit &WarmGun. Dave is the co-founder of Startup2Startup, a regular get-together for Silicon Valley startup entrepreneurs & investors. He leads a travel group calledGeeksOnaPlane to promote cultural exchange & education for tech entrepreneurs around the world.

Dave helped co-found the StartupVisaprogram to reform & improve US immigration policy for entrepreneurs. He has been a boardmember for microfinance accelerator Unitus and advisor to microfinance lender Kiva, education lender Vittana, remote work platformSamaSource, & co-founder of the Silicon Valley Microfinance Network.

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