TurkTechNet Announces All-Expenses Paid New York Bootcamp and Demo Day For Promising Turkish Technol

The effort is led by Turkish Commercial Attaché Serhan Kara, with full-support and engagement from Turkish Consul General, Levent Bilgen.

The organization’s main goals are:
1) For Turkish Entrepreneurs: Encourage Turkish entrepreneurs by broadening their vision and providing them with access to global capital and know-how.
2) For Global investors: Promote a global interest in Turkish technology startups and entrepreneurs, and provide global investors with a chance to come into contact with more Turkish startups to create investment opportunities.
3) For The Turkish Startup Ecosystem: Encourage and educate the early-stage Turkish investment community through global exposure and facilitate the creation of a healthy, strong and long-term Turkish entrepreneur/investor ecosystem that is well
positioned for integration into the global technology markets.

TTN team includes:
Serhan Kara - Turkish Consulate General, New York, Commercial Attache
Ozgur Pehlivan - Permanent Mission of Turkey to the UN, Deputy Permanent Representative
Ahmet Canli - Turkish Consulate General, New York, Commercial Attache
Ayse Akkiraz Dagdur - Turkish Consulate General, New York, Economic Affairs Attache
Adnan Cinal - Turkish Consulate General, New York, Health Attache (Former Deputy Undersecretary of Ministry of Health)
M.Selim Uslu - Turkish Consulate General, New York, Economic Affairs Attache
Muhammed Seyda Tartar - Turkish Consulate General, New York, Commercial Attache Office, Commercial Specialist

Organizing Committee of TTN consists of:
Celal Secilmis - Turkish American Chamber of Commerce and Industry, President and
Executive Board Member, Chairman of the America Region Committee at DTIK: World Turkish Business Council
Murat Aktihanoglu - ER Accelerator, Founder and Managing Director
Fatih Ozluturk - Innovia Capital, Founder, CEO
Murat Bicer - RTP Ventures
Baris Aksoy - Intel Capital
Atil Erken - Chronus, Investor/Entrepreneur
Kivanc Anar - ER Accelerator, Mentor, Operating Partner
Tuba Erbil - August Ninth Analyses, Product Marketing Analyst
Elmas Guvel - ER Accelerator, Social Media Marketing
Duygu Civik - Harvard Business School
Bahar Erdim - Turkish American Chamber of Commerce and Industry Founding Members of TTN are:
Cigdem A. Acar - Acar Law Firm PLLC, Managing Attorney
Barbaros Aslan - Exponent Inc., Science & Technology Consultant
Duygu Atacan - Pikz.com, Co-founder and ER Istanbul, Director
Can Atacik - Shine Angel Fund
Hasan Ayaz - Drexel University, Assistant Research Professor, School of Biomedical
Engineering, Science and Health Systems
Alp Baysal - Kiska Construction, Executive VP
Ihsan Baytan - Turkish Airlines New York, General Manager
Evren Bilimer - The Invus Group, Managing Director
Ali Cinar - Federation of Turkish American Associations, President
Sirin Elci - Technopolis Group, Director
Pinar Guvenc - New York Grant Company, Analysis and Business Development
Cenk Ipeker - Bilbus, Founder
Serdar Karagoz - Atv-Sabah Media group, Executive Editor
Mehmet Kirdar - Turkish American Business Forum, President
Mustafa I. Kiziltas - METUTECH (ODTU Teknokent), General Manager
Banu Onaral - Drexel University, Director, School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems
Basak Ozer - Nokia
Mehmet Ozhabes - JP Morgan Chase, Economist, Vice President; Chief Investment Office
Melek Pulatkonak - Microsoft Turkey, Developer Platform Evangelism Lead
Aylin Sagay - Drexel University, Director of Administration and Finances, School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems

More about TTN New York Bootcamp and Demo Day, May 2012:
In May 2012, TTN will bring 10 leading Turkish early-stage technology startups to New York for
a week-long Bootcamp Training Session and a Demo Day where the 10 startups will pitch to
leading US-based investors.

Timeline:
March 1 : Applications open
March 30 : Deadline for applications
April 8 : Final selection day in Istanbul to select 10 final startups to come to New York
May 20 : Founders fly to New York
May 21-24 : Training bootcamp
May 25 : Demo Day
May 27 : Founders return to Turkey

Frequently Asked Questions:
* How much does it cost to apply and participate in this trip for a startup?
It’s all free for startups to apply and participate, thanks to our sponsors and supporters.

* What kind of startups can apply?
For our first trip in May, technology, internet, mobile and other technology-related startups can apply. We will widen the scope to other fields in later trips.

* I have an idea, can I apply?
No, only startups with two or more people with a real company and a real product or service can apply.

* What is the selection criteria for startups?
1) The startup MUST BE at a “fundable” stage by investors.
2) The startup MUST HAVE USERS that are actively using the product/service.
3) Revenue is not required, but a business model IS REQUIRED (a verifiable plan to make
money is required).
4) The startup co-founders MUST BE working on the company FULL-TIME.
5) The startup MUST have at least one technical co-founder.

* How will the selection process be carried out?
Startups will apply to the program online. Selected finalists will attend a final selection day in Istanbul. Judges made up of active early-stage technology investors will make the final selections after interviews with the finalist startups.

* I already raised money for my startup, can I still apply?
Yes.

* I don’t have a technical co-founder but I will find someone soon, can I apply?
No. You need to have a technical co-founder when you apply to the program.

* I still have a full-time job but if I get funding, I will leave my job and work on my startup full-time, can I apply?
No.

* I am a student and I have more than one year of school to graduate, can I apply?
No.

* I am an early-stage investor, how can I be involved with this project?
Please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we will contact you.

* How can I sponsor this project?
Please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for sponsorship inquiries.

* Can I get a specific benefit if I become a sponsor of the project?
We will work hard to accommodate our sponsors, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to speak
further.

* I don’t have a startup or I don’t want to be a sponsor, but I want to be involved with this project, how can I help?
We need help in many different areas. Please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your skillset and how you would like to help and we will get back to you quickly.

Contact:
Turkey:
Sinem Uluturk
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
0554.832.00.21

United States:
Murat Aktihanoglu
Elmas Guvel
Duygu Cibik
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http://turktechnet.org