212 Updates #146 | Jun 30th
New Team Member | New Investments
Please join me as I welcome Naz Ozal, the newest member of 212NexT investment team. We completed the last entry of “Meet the Team” last week; however, I will bring it back as new members join team.
Speaking of 212NexT, I am happy to announce that it participated in the €15 million Series A round in EverDye led by Crédit Mutuel Innovation and Daphni. This marks 212NexT's fourth investment, following one.five. The team continues to explore exciting new opportunities across Europe. It is also a pleasure to see Daphni once again as a co-investor, as we previously invested alongside them in Flow48 through Regional Fund.
EverDye is a geeat addition to our portfolio. It is a French startup that replaces conventional petrochemical-based textile dyes with sustainable, bio‑based pigments. Their patented process enables low‑energy dyeing at room temperature (using 10× less energy, 4-5× faster and compatible with existing dyeing machines) while eliminating toxic chemicals and cutting water pollution and carbon emissions. Thus, EverDye enables fashion brands to reduce their environmental impact by providing a greener dyeing process. You can read Linkedin post here.
By the way, some of you might recall that I mentioned the 3rd investment in 212 Updates #114, but I couldn’t release the company name at that time. one.five is a German startup using AI to develop and scale paper-based solutions to replace single‑use plastic packaging for global brands.
Meet the Team
Say hello to Naz Ozal from 212 NexT Investment Team. Naz joined 212 last week.
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 invite Muhammad Ali - not just for his legacy in sport, but for what he represents beyond it. His discipline, work ethic, humanity, sense of purpose, and unshakable self-belief have always inspired me. He stood for something greater than himself, even when it was difficult. That kind of mindset -staying grounded in purpose, working hard, and pushing through doubt- feels incredibly relevant in both startups and life.
What’s one technology or trend you think is dramatically underrated right now?
One area I find particularly underrated is dynamic shelf-life monitoring to combat food waste. “Use by” dates are often conservative estimates of quality, not safety, and lead to massive amounts in avoidable waste. Startups leveraging smart packaging and real-time sensors -whether label-based or app-integrated- can help both consumers and manufacturers make more informed decisions. While the technology still faces challenges around safety validation and packaging compatibility, I believe it has the potential to reshape how we handle perishables across the food chain. It’s a quiet but powerful enabler for a more sustainable and efficient food system.
Naz's Picks:
If you could describe your job at 212 with a movie title, what would it be and why?
The Avengers: As most would agree, the team you work with is one of the most important parts of any job. So far, I can confidently say that the whole team here is truly inspiring - not just in work ethics, but in the way collaboration and support are built into the culture. Working here feels like being part of a mission-driven crew, where everybody brings their own strength, and where the real power comes from working and collaborating together.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received, and how has it helped you at 212?
One piece of advice that has stayed with me is: “Clarity comes from action, not thought.” While thinking and planning are important, this mindset reminds me not to get stuck trying to perfect something before starting. This has helped me embrace learning through doing - being okay with making mistakes, iterating quickly, and evolving with each step. It’s encouraged me to stay curious, move forward even in ambiguity, and find clarity by engaging with real problems rather than overthinking them.Last Week
Investment teams interacted with 43 companies.
I attended YASAD Investor Summit.
Ozge and Selma were at KWorks Event.
Ali, Ozge, and Selma attended Next Play Meetup.
Selma was at BTM for Simya VC Investor Desk.
Ali and Selma were at ITU Ari Teknokent Mentor Meetup.
This Week and Next
I will be in London for meetings from Tuesday, July 1st to Thursday, July 3rd.
Selma will be a guest at Bogazici Incubation Spark Sessions on Tuesday, July 1st.
Selma will be on the jury at Lonca 11th cohort on Thursday, July 3rd.
Some News
Talent war between Meta and OpenAI continues. Read here and here.
Anthropic Lands Partial Victory in AI Case Set to Shape Future Rulings. Read more…