Istanbul Tech: Going Global in MENA & Asia - Funding, Blockchain, Platforms

Join the GlobalSouthTech (GST) community on Monday, October 22nd for a panel on funding, blockchain, and platforms. Our panel of tech leaders will discuss the challenges, opportunities, talent, and resources for tech startups/companies in Turkey and MENA that want to expand in Latin America (Latam), Asia, and other markets worldwide. We will also touch on the blockchain and crypto regulation landscape in China, Southeast Asia, and Latam.

Some Key Takeaways:
- Who are the key ecosystem players to know if you want to enter emerging markets like Latam, Southeast Asia, or China?
- What are the latest vertical trends in each startup scene?
- What are some red flags in terms of doing business, regulation and red tape to be aware of?
- What are some secrets about each ecosystem that only locals understand?
- Blockchain and crypto regulation in China, Southeast Asia, and Latam

Agenda
6-6:30pm - Registration
6:30-7:30pm - Panel Discussion Q&A
7:30-8:30pm - Networking

Panelists:

RACHA GHAMLOUCH - Innovation & Business Advisor: Racha is a connector and geek at heart, In 2011, she joined the ArabNet team to spearhead the development of conference content and competitions across the MENA region. Her role evolved to include corporate innovation programs, research and white label activities, as well as internal development. Previously she worked at Diwanee as a community manager handling client social media accounts from strategy to execution. A geek at heart; she is passionate about digital and its potential power to levitate the region’s youth and economy and believes in creating inspiring dialogues among people to aid their growth and development. Racha left ArabNet in 2018 and is now working on connecting global tech innovators with the MENA region and developing programs to support regional entrepreneurs.

ERTAN ATAY- Multipreneur, Advisor, & Mentor: Ertan is an expert generalist with local and international experience in various industries and disciplines, including but not limited to: start-up consultancy, business development, change management, predictive decision systems, marketing strategies, and e-commerce fulfillment. He's the Co-Founder and CEO of LogiPlatform, a next-generation eCommerce fulfillment startup, and Co-Director of the Founder Institute chapter in Istanbul. Ertan previously worked in management roles covering business development and wireless distribution at Brightstar, a subsidiary of SoftBank Group focused on mobile devices and accessories.

ALEMSAH OZTURK - Chief Happiness Officer/CEO at 4129Grey: Alemsah co-founded 41? 29! in February 2007, which became the most successful digital advertising agency in Turkey before it was acquired by WPP in 2012. As of May 2015, Alemsah Ozturk is the CEO of 4129Grey, a fully integrated communication agency. Alemsah also works on GREY’s global digital council, helping EMEA agencies to push forward in digital & innovation. Alemsah’s work on prestigious accounts over the last 20 years has been honoured at Cannes Lions, the Clio Awards, Eurobest, Golden Drum, D&AD, Webby awards and many others. He is also acknowledged as the entrepreneurial example of Turkey by former US VP Joe Biden.

ZAHID SAGIROGLU, Co-Founder at Colendi Blockchain: Zahid is responsible for growth and operations for Colendi, a product built on the Ethereum network which provides unique and global financial scores to everyone. Zahid previously co-founded DriveMarvin, an accident analysis technologies startup, and worked in various product and engineering roles. Zahid graduated with Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Boğaziçi University.

OZAN SONMEZ, Managing Director at Growth Circuit Accelerator/VC: Ozan runs Growth Circuit, a global early-stage investor operating in San Francisco, Turkey and London. He's also been a startup ecosystem advisor to accelerators, universities, and NGOs. Ozan previously managed startup programs at Ozyegin University, King Abdullah University of Science & Technology, and Angel Labs.

HOSTED BY: Adrian Avendano, GST Founder

The goal of GlobalSouthTech (GST) is to foster and create cross-border partnerships in the area of investments, AI, fintech, Technology-Media-Telecom, edtech, e-commerce and product market expansion between the emerging markets of the Global South (East Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, Africa and Southeast Asia).

MOX Accelerator in Taipei and Chinaccelerator in Shanghai who help startups expand throughout Asia are our close partners. GlobalSouthTech originally got started in New York City; we are now in more than 43 different cities worldwide and we've organized over 60 meetups connecting tech people around the world.