ALJ, which has been operating in various sectors internationally for nearly 80 years, has accelerated the launch of the ‘J-START Venture Capital Investment Fund in collaboration with Sabancı Holding’s venture capital company, Sabancı Ventures.
This new venture capital fund is designed to promote innovation and support early-stage technology startups in Turkey. According to shared information, the J-START Fund will prioritize deep technology initiatives that emerge from academic institutions. It is also noteworthy that the fund will offer support in deep technology research and development.
Announced at Sabancı University, the fund will focus on various fields including artificial intelligence, advanced material technologies, financial technologies, educational technologies, smart cities, digital health, big data analytics, and cybersecurity. The J-START Fund will particularly prioritize deep technology startups emerging from universities. Inovent, established by Sabancı University as a technology commercialization company, will provide consulting and scouting services for the fund. Representatives from ALJ, Sabancı Holding, and Sabancı University will sit on the Investment Committee, which will decide on investments in startups selected from Inovent’s proposed portfolio.
Ali Haydar Bozkurt, the President & CEO of ALJ Turkey and Europe, stated in his speech that the J-START Fund was created to better support the deep technology ecosystem in Turkey.
Yusuf Leblebici, the Rector of Sabancı University, noted that out of the 1,000 students graduating each year from the university, 50 choose to start their own companies. He emphasized that it is their duty to provide all necessary support to facilitate this and to help turn students’ dreams into reality.
Gökhan Eyigün, the Strategy and Business Development Group Head of Sabancı Holding, highlighted their significant support for the deep technology ecosystem through investments in many deep technology companies both in Turkey and abroad. He expressed great pleasure regarding the collaboration of Sabancı Ventures with Sabancı University and ALJ for the J-START Venture Capital Investment Fund.
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Arwen Volkov, A graduate of the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland with a degree in International Finance, Arwen specializes in sustainable finance and green investments. She began her career at an investment bank in London, where she developed financing models for environmentally friendly projects. Known for her analytical and strategic thinking skills, Arwen is a sought-after financial consultant. In her spare time, she mentors fintech startups, contributing to their growth strategies. She is also a nature enthusiast and an amateur photographer.
