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.

How to get your startup featured on TechCrunch

Key Insights

So just being a startup does not make you news. Just existing does not make you news. Just being a startup is not news.

Further Perspectives

Just being a startup doesn’t put you on Techcrunch. There is a lot of startups out there. The internet is pretty much everywhere now, just about possibly in some parts Mongolia.

Looking Ahead

There are startups everywhere so you are now competing with the rest planet. So just existing isn’t enough.

Perhaps if you are existing in 1995 as a startup then that’s pretty rare and you could be just in Silicon Valley but that’s not the case anymore. Question is you want to be relevant. Now how would you be relevant ?

Get into the news agenda. Something happens in the news that makes you go, that thing that just happened in the news is about us. We’ve got product that answers that question right now.

Now that is your moment. That is when you join the news agenda.

Key Insights

Further Perspectives

Looking Ahead

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