212 Updates #136 | April 14th
Muscle Built in the Storm
“They say the world is becoming more volatile. We say: welcome.” If you have not read Ali’s post from last week, you should.
The last few weeks — actually, the last few months — have felt different. All around the world, people are trying to reposition themselves in response to what’s happening. It’s unfamiliar territory, and we’re seeing things we haven’t seen before.
But for us, this is business as usual. Or, as Ali puts it, “it’s Tuesday.”
In his brief yet eye-opening post, Ali points out that this new world order puts those of us who are used to navigating through stormy waters amidst economic and political chaos at a great advantage. What was once our weakness — operating in uncertainty — has become our strength. Ali states, “We’ve developed ‘amphibian’ reflexes — able to move fast, think on our feet, and survive both in the water and on land.” I could not agree more. Being used to operating in consistent inconsistency, we are the masters of this new universe.
And let me add that I don’t expect this volatility to go away anytime soon. Rather than trying to predict the unpredictable, we are laser-focused on what we do best: finding extraordinary entrepreneurs and backing them as they build world-class companies. Our portfolio continues to grow. Founders we’ve backed are raising new rounds and breaking new ground.
So what’s next? “It’s Tuesday.” We get to work.
Meet the Team
Say hello to Idil Azizoglu, head of our Investor Relations. Idil has been with 212 since April 2022.
Q&A Spotlight:
If you could bring one guest to the 212 annual party, living or dead, who would it be and why?
Steve Jobs. A legend, a creative genius, and the ultimate challenger of the status quo. His ability to see what others couldn't—and then make it a reality—has shaped entire industries. I’d love for our portfolio founders to bounce ideas off him, absorbing his radical insights on product, design, and scaling with purpose. Also, let’s be real—the new iPhone is just last year’s model with a new shade of blue. Steve, we need you.
What’s one technology or trend you think is dramatically underrated right now?
We tend to think of human civilization as the center of everything, which leads us to often forget that we share this world with countless other species, each with their own way of communicating. Now, with AI, we’re finally getting closer to decoding animal language.
I know it’s a long and ambitious road, but there are already AI tools analyzing whale songs, bird calls, and even what our dogs and cats are trying to tell us. With all the breakthroughs in energy tech, machine learning, and biotech, I think this is an area overlooked that could fundamentally change how our society operates.
Plus, as Dobby's proud mom - my beloved Yorkie - I know this technology would make my life a lot more interesting.
Idil's Picks:
If you could describe your job at 212 with a movie title, what would it be and Why?
Back to the Future - Fundraising is basically time travel. We’re asking investors to believe in companies that don’t exist yet, industries that are just forming, and technologies that might still be on a whiteboard somewhere. Our job is to take LPs into the future, show them how we’ll turn today’s unknowns into tomorrow’s dragons, and then bring them back to the present—convinced that 212 is the DeLorean they should bet on. The best part? Unlike Doc Brown, we don’t just predict the future—we help build it. Thankfully, we have a top-tier track record.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received, and how has it helped you at 212?
"The best deals don’t end with a handshake—they start with one."
The best outcomes come from trust and long-term alignment—not just signing on the dotted line. At 212, we focus on building real partnerships, knowing that the strongest investments aren’t just about capital but about shared vision and commitment over time.Last Week
Investment teams interacted with 32 companies.
Ali attended Techsign at Mext.
Ali attended Founder Meetup.
This Week and Next
Selma will be at Lonca 10. Demo Day on Wednesday, April 16th.
Zeynep will attend Unlu Women Tech Entrepreneurs Academy Meetup on Wednesday, April 16th.
I will be panelist at Para Magazine XIII Entrepreneurship Summit on Wednesday, April 16th.
Ali will be a panelist at Agora Fintech on Thursday, April 17th.
Idil and I will attend Uludağ Economy Summit on Thursday, April 17th.
Selma and Zeynep will be at BAU Future AI Summit on Thursday, April 17th.
Selma will attend to 6. TechXtile Challenge on Friday, April 18th.
Some News
Bulent Celebi’s interview on Turkish VC podcast. Ali was also a guest on the podcast in the past.
Inside the EV startup secretly backed by Jeff Bezos. Read more…