The second session of Venture Connect: Türkiye–UK Tech Investors Luncheon convened at the Turkish Ambassador's Residence in London, marking a significant step forward in strengthening cross-border cooperation between the innovation ecosystems of Türkiye and the United Kingdom.
Co-organized by the Investment and Finance Office and the Turkish Embassy in London, the luncheon brought together senior representatives of leading venture capital funds, startup accelerators, and innovation stakeholders from both countries. The event aimed to foster dialogue, facilitate co-investment opportunities, and deepen collaboration in strategic sectors such as fintech, deep tech, AI, gaming, and sustainability-focused technologies.
The program opened with welcoming remarks by Ambassador Osman Koray Ertaş, who underlined the growing role of innovation and entrepreneurship in shaping the future of Türkiye–UK economic relations. He emphasized that such platforms not only enhance bilateral investment flows but also serve as effective instruments of economic diplomacy, paving the way for deeper engagement in high-value-added sectors.
Investment and Finance Office President A. Burak Dağlıoğlu delivered the keynote address, offering a comprehensive overview of Türkiye's rapidly evolving startup ecosystem. Noting that Türkiye has emerged as a regional hub for technology and innovation, Dağlıoğlu highlighted the rising number of unicorns and scaleups, the strength of Türkiye's digital infrastructure, and the expanding role of venture capital in the country's growth story.
The event also featured interactive discussions with prominent representatives from Türkiye's venture capital landscape. Attendees engaged with top Turkish VC representatives including Endeavor Türkiye Managing Director Aslı Kurul Türkmen, Boğaziçi Ventures Managing Partner Gizem Sezer, and ACT Venture Partners Co-founder and Managing Partner Okan Kara. Attendees also participated in an open Q&A, paving the way for stronger Türkiye–UK collaboration in innovation and entrepreneurship.
The luncheon concluded with a lively Q&A session, during which participants exchanged views on co-investment strategies, due diligence practices, and long-term collaboration models. UK-based investors expressed strong interest in Türkiye's tech ecosystem and emphasized their readiness to engage more actively in joint initiatives.