Friday, 27th March 2026 | Swissotel Bosphorus

09:30-10:00 Registration and Networking Coffee

Navigating the Currents: Türkiye’s Investment Landscape 2025

Kick off the forum with a forward-looking exploration of Türkiye’s investment climate. Explore the forces shaping dealmaking in Türkiye. From market trends and valuations to global capital flows, this session provides insights to help investors and corporates anticipate the opportunities and challenges ahead.

• Mehmet Ali Ergin – Vice Chairman, RePie Investment Holding
• Yılmaz Karakaş – Investment Director, CEECAT Capital

Blueprints for Growth: Corporate M&A in Action Across Strategic Industries

This session explores how corporate deal teams source opportunities, assess value, and execute transactions amid shifting regulatory and geopolitical environments. Speakers will discuss strategic rationales behind acquisitions, cross-border expansion, technology integration, and capability building across a range of industries – highlighting examples from strategic sectors such as defence and aerospace. The conversation will also examine export-driven growth, industrial capacity, and how corporates collaborate with private equity and corporate venture investors when pursuing high-value assets in complex global markets.

• Abdullah Çerekci – CSO, Kale Group
• Nurol Makina (name tbc)

11:30-12:10 Networking Coffee Break

Private Equity and DFIs Driving Mid-Cap Growth in Türkiye

This session explores how private equity and development finance institutions can acceler ate the growth of Türkiye’s mid-cap companies and modernize its industrial base, including tech, logistics, consumer goods, and aerospace/defence-adjacent sectors. Panelists will discussidentifying high-potential companies, structuring minority-stake and growth-capital investments, and co-investing to reduce risk and enhance market attractiveness, offering practical insights for strengthening Türkiye’s mid-cap ecosystem.

• Batuhan Hakyemez – Snr Investment Manager Turkey/Middle East/CIS, DEG (Alternate Moderator)
• Erman Kalkandelen – CEO, Franklin Templeton
• Ersida Docaj – Co-Head TMT, EBRD

Innovation Engines: CVC x VC in Türkiye — Partnering to Scale

Türkiye’s startup ecosystem is entering a high-growth phase, with VC and CVC investors playing a pivotal role in scaling innovative companies. This panel brings together leading independent VCs and corporate venture investors to discuss the sectors, strategies, and structures driving investment in 2025. Panelists will share insights on hot sectors, examine co-investment and growth-stage structures, and explore realistic exit pathways in a high-rate and FX-sensitive environment. Attendees will gain practical perspectives on sourcing deals, scaling startups, and leveraging corporate partnerships to accelerate innovation.

• Şelale Zaim – Head of Investment Committee, Vinci Venture Capital
• Enis Hulli – General Partner, e2vc
• Serkan Usanmaz – Asst General Manager, Hedef Holding (Alternate Moderator)

13:40 -14:50 Networking Lunch Break

Sector Spotlight & Cross-Border Dealmaking: Where Investors Are Deploying Capital

This session provides a deep dive into the sectors expected to drive the next wave of M&A activity, including technology, fintech, infrastructure, logistics, consumer, and industrial sectors. Leading executives will share practical insights from inbound and outbound cross-border transactions, highlighting drivers, challenges, and outcomes of international deals. The panel will also examine legal and regulatory frameworks, deal structuring considerations, and emerging opportunities created by shifting regional and global investment flows.

• Artem Volynets – Chairman & CEO, ACG Metals
• Murat Akbudak – Group CFO, ARY Holding
• Mehmet Türkarslan – Board Member & Legal Director, Paribu

16:00 End of the event | Drink Reception