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.

Failure – an Inevitable Part of Success

Let’s start with the reasons why startups fail:

Arrogance
Shortsightedness
Hubris
Egotism
Inflexibility

None of these words are new to you; remember the last time someone’s arrogance or inflexibility made the situation even worse?

LACK OF CAPITAL

In the beginning, insufficient capital might lead to failure of the business. Running day-to-day operations might cost a lot, and if the money you have is a lot less than what you are spending, things end up going wrong.

EXPANDING WITHOUT KEEPING TRACK

Expansion is a difficult step for a start-up, from personnel, to equipment (May it be machinery or establishing plants). All the steps involved in expansion need to be fully funded. Also, if the startup becomes a success, and needs to expand urgently, it should have a plan devised for it.

DEBT FINANCING

Heavy reliance on debt is a dangerous thing for your startup, because if you lose money, all the investment in the form of debt, may it be from your family or your best friend, all would go in vain.

LACK OF STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT

No matter how skilled you are, if there is no strategic planning and lack of management, your business might eat you alive. You need to be *qualified *to run your business in one way or the other. We don’t suggest you to get a Business Degree at this point but manage your team in a way that there are people who know where things are going.

NO BUSINESS PLAN

It’s a good thing if you are an optimist but, bear in mind that hope is definitely not a good strategy. From the concept, to the planning, and then execution, you need a business plan. You won’t ever touch the moon if you don’t even know what you need to do in order to reach for it. No matter how good your *concept *is, if you fail to chalk out a plan, someone, somewhere in the world might just use your plan and earn millions because of it.

Regardless of the reasons your startup failed, you need to look at the brighter side of the picture and know that failure is an inevitable part of success. You might fail once, twice, or even a hundred times but think of the experiences you gained because of it. I f you had not gone through all those processes, you would not have been what you are today. So, simply get up and do it again.