Support for entrepreneurs with "Investment Guaranteed Artificial Intelligence Acceleration Program" from Kayacan Ventures

The program, which was introduced at a press conference in Istanbul, will provide sales-focused training and mentoring support. In addition, a total of $3 million will be invested in 100 startups to be supported throughout the program.

Speaking at the event, Kayacan Ventures Board Chairman Ulaş Kayacan said that there are 8 companies and 21 initiatives within Kayacan Holding.

Kayacan stated that they brought together all of their companies focused on technology under the roof of Kayacan Holding, thus creating a holding structure in order to both increase the efficiency of these companies and manage them more effectively.

Sharing the information that they established Kayacan Ventures as the investment arm of their holding company and that they have invested in 21 startups with this company so far, Kayacan said, "We mostly focus on niche areas including artificial intelligence, high technology, deep technology and disruptive technologies. Our goal is to make a total of one hundred investments by 2030."

Emphasizing that they believe that we should not remain spectators to the wave of artificial intelligence in the world, Kayacan said, "We believe that we should not only be users but also producers and guides against this great wave. We believe that artificial intelligence will play a critical role for the future of both our own companies and our country. That is why we are implementing the artificial intelligence acceleration program."

Pointing out that their goal is to invest in 100 artificial intelligence startups through acceleration programs, Kayacan continued his words as follows:

"We offer an acceleration program with an investment guarantee. We not only provide support in areas such as education, mentoring, finance, law, and globalization, but also provide the financial support that entrepreneurs need the most. Our aim here is to grow the artificial intelligence ecosystem. Every day, we hear new news about countries' investments in artificial intelligence. For this reason, we believe that we should put artificial intelligence on our main agenda as a country and as companies. Thinking that in the future, we will all say, 'I wish we had gotten into this business at the time,' we started this investment and acceleration program in order to contribute to our country and to build the future of our companies."

"To be in touch with the highest technology, to be a pioneer and to follow the developments closely"

Kayacan also stated that they will take the entrepreneurs selected within the scope of the program to Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, and hold a 3-4-day motivational meeting, thus encouraging the entrepreneurs to socialize and cooperate with each other, and their motivation will increase before the program.

Noting that their goal is to bring entrepreneurs to a point in 1-2 years that they could have reached in 3-5 years, Kayacan emphasized that the motivations behind their investments in artificial intelligence and high technology are "being involved with the highest technology, being a pioneer", "obtaining high financial returns" and "investing in extraordinary, unconventional minds and reducing brain drain to some extent".

Kayacan stated that they support not only entrepreneurs in Turkey but also Turkish engineers who have migrated abroad, and noted that they are currently directing 4 investments to Turkish entrepreneurs living abroad.

Assessing that artificial intelligence is not only a technology that makes daily life easier, but will be one of the leading technologies of the future and that a completely different era will be entered in the 2030s with the combination of artificial intelligence and quantum technology, Kayacan stated that the investments they are making today are also preparations for this new era.

Kayacan reminded that they provide support to entrepreneurs in every field they need within the scope of artificial intelligence acceleration programs and continued his words as follows:

"We are constantly meeting with chambers of commerce, public institutions and the private sector to create collaborative environments for our startups. This acceleration program aims to match startups that can quickly get into the field with business people. The program has started today and we expect applications to arrive by April 1. Our expectation is to receive over 1,000 applications and select 15-20 startups from among them through a meticulous evaluation process. Our evaluation process consists of three stages. However, due to the nature of startups, we strive to proceed with flexibility without overwhelming the process with too much institutionality. Because we believe that traditional institutional approaches can harm the startup ecosystem."

"Our goal is to support technologies that offer revolutionary solutions"

Noting that one of the biggest sources of pride among the startups they have invested in so far is their investments in the field of health technologies, Kayacan said, "Our first investment was an artificial intelligence-supported health initiative and we were very happy with it. Because it was an investment that provided both material and spiritual satisfaction. This technology developed by our Turkish engineers was a first in the world and received great interest from the World Epilepsy Association. Our Turkish engineers carried out this project, which has no equivalent in the world. We, as a country, should have this self-confidence."

Sharing the information that they currently have 100 guiding mentors, Kayacan underlined that these names will be matched with entrepreneurs to share their experiences and knowledge, and that their aim is to ensure that entrepreneurs benefit from these experiences and provide them with strong guidance.

Kayacan said, "All of our investments focus on initiatives in the Blockchain and artificial intelligence vertical that contain high technology, bring innovation to niche areas and solve a problem. We do not invest in traditional initiatives. Our goal is to catch up with more disruptive game-changing technologies."

The news presented to subscribers via the AA News Feed System (HAS) is summarized and published on the Anadolu Agency website. Please contact us for subscription.