The Women’s Entrepreneurship Event organized by UN Women Europe and Central Asia Regional Office and supported by Yıldız Holding took place in Istanbul.

The Women’s Entrepreneurship Event organized by UN Women, the United Nations organization dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women, where 24 women entrepreneurs from Europe and Central Asia presented their innovative business ideas to investors, was held in Istanbul on July 6. 

The opening speeches of this meeting that brought together women entrepreneurs and investors were delivered by UN Women Europe and Central Asia Regional Director Alia El-Yassir, Yıldız Holding Chair Ali Ülker, Mary Kay Chief Operating Officer Deborah Gibbins, and PwC Türkiye Advisory Services Leader Serkan Tarmur.

In her opening speech, Alia El-Yassir extended her thanks to Yıldız Holding and said: “As our companions since the beginning of this long journey, Ali Ülker and the Yıldız Holding team are working dedicatedly to support women’s entrepreneurship in Türkiye and the entire region. Yıldız Holding's support to women entrepreneurs is a clear example of the pioneering role the private sector can play in shaping the entrepreneurship ecosystem.”

Yıldız Holding Chair Ali Ülker highlighted the significance of the long-term collaboration between Yıldız Holding and UN Women and talked about their joint steps to support women’s entrepreneurship in his speech.

Ali Ülker said: “After joining the Women’s Entrepreneurship Accelerator (WEA) program implemented by UN Women in 2022, Yıldız Holding assumed a significant role in extending women’s entrepreneurship in Türkiye and worldwide. We had committed to supporting women’s entrepreneurship and investing over USD 4 million in 3 years in women entrepreneurs to empower and increase the number of women suppliers. We supported initiatives led by women with direct investments or early-stage technology-focused venture capital funds through Yıldız Ventures. We are delighted to have exceeded our goal within the first year by having invested USD 4.3 million in 53 ventures as of today. Such investments demonstrate the significance we attach to equal opportunities, an integral part of our corporate culture.”

Mentorship support to women entrepreneurs

Combining UN Women’s expertise and resources with Yıldız Holding’s extensive network, Yıldız Holding and Yıldız Ventures Investment Director Ecem Altıok participated in the program as a mentor to ensure equal opportunities for women entrepreneurs. Altıok mentored 7 women entrepreneurs and shared her experiences with them along the process. Ecem Altıok, who also served as a jury member in this event, where entrepreneurs pitched their ideas, said: “Investing in women entrepreneurs is not only a matter of equal opportunities but also a smart business decision.”

About EXPO Capital Quest

The Women’s Entrepreneurship Event, “EXPO Capital Quest,” is held by UN Women Europe and Central Asia Regional Office as part of the Women’s Entrepreneurship Accelerator program supported by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Mary Kay Inc., and Yıldız Holding.