212 Updates #141 | May 19th
ScaleApp Podcast | Techstars Istanbul
Back in Istanbul this week with a packed schedule, catching up on emails and meetings.
On Thursday, we held the first Steering Committee meeting for Techstars Istanbul. I believe it has the potential to become a true regional hub for entrepreneurs, backed by a strong accelerator program. It’s exciting to help shape something that will support and spotlight early-stage talent from across the region. More will come from the team on this soon.
Last week, Trio Mobil co-founders Nevzat Ataklı and Baris Ozdemir were guests on Daniel Isenberg’s podcast ScaleApp, which I really enjoyed. Every podcast host brings a different energy and style to the conversation, and this one made for an insightful discussion full of intriguing stories. It was great to hear them candidly reflect on their journey and confidently reveal the roadmap of the future they’re building.
Meet the Team
Say hello to Selma Bahcivanoglu from Simya Investment Team. Selma joined 212 in September 2022.
Q&A Spotlight:
If you could bring one guest to the 212 annual party, living or dead, who would it be and why?
I would bring Meryl Streep. She’s the embodiment of talent, resilience, and continuous reinvention. I’d love to hear her thoughts on storytelling and career longevity, as well as her insights on navigating challenges and staying authentic under pressure.
What’s one technology or trend you think is dramatically underrated right now?
Treatments that completely eliminate allergies and their symptoms are long overdue. As someone who struggles with allergies, I know firsthand how limiting they can be. Despite medical advancements, we’re still mostly managing symptoms rather than curing the root cause.
Selma's Picks:
If you could describe your job at 212 with a movie title, what would it be and why?
I’d say my job at 212 is a lot like Moneyball. From the outside, investing looks all about spotting the next big thing, but in reality, it’s deep analysis, strategy, and finding value where others overlook it. Just like in the movie, where data changed the game in baseball, in venture capital, it’s not just about flashy ideas. It’s about making smart bets on the right people and opportunities.
What’s your favorite office tradition at 212, and Why?
Our morning check-in meetings and the conversations we have there are my favorite office tradition. It’s a great way to start the day, align as a team, and share insights beyond just work. These moments foster collaboration, strengthen our bond, and often lead to unexpected yet valuable discussions.Last Week
Investment teams interacted with 68 companies.
Selma was a guest on BloombergHT podcast.
Gizem and Caglar attended Deep Tech Momentum.
Selma and Ali were panelists at E-Girisim Summit.
Ozge attended Onlayer Fintech Meetup.
I was on the jury at WeShape Demoday.
This Week and Next
Gizem will be a panelist at TTI Investor Panel on Tuesday, May 20th.
Idil and I will be at CVC Bosphorus Summit’25 on Thursday, May 22nd.
Gizem, Caglar, Zeynep, and Ozge will be at Hello Tomorrow Turkiye Summit on Thursday, May 22nd.
Some News
OpenAI, Oracle to Help UAE Develop Massive Data Center. Read more…
Realta Fusion taps $36M in fresh funds for its fusion-in-a-bottle reactor. Read more…