Koç University Entrepreneurship Research Center KWORKS brought together 18 startups that completed their programs with investors and industry representatives at the Connect event. While access to early stage teams remains important in the current view of the Turkish startup ecosystem, the KWORKS Connect program focuses on product development, business model and investment preparation.
Teams working in different fields such as artificial intelligence, health technologies, financial technologies, sustainability and corporate software made presentations at the event. Having different industries on the same stage allowed investors to compare common technology and scaling challenges.
Connect’s aim is not just to organize a demo day. Startups work with mentors on product-market fit, pricing, sales channel and investment documents throughout the program. The presentation day is the final stage in which this preparation is opened to the outside world.
For early-stage companies, the first meeting with the right customer can be as important as direct investment. Connections established with corporate companies can turn into pilot projects, and pilots can turn into measurable income.
The value of the program will be measured beyond the day of presentation
Making 18 presentations at an event alone is not considered a measure of success. More meaningful indicators will be if the teams gain customers, complete the investment round, and create an audience that uses their product regularly in the following months.
In addition, selectivity in the investment environment forces initiatives to show not only a growth story but also a sustainable income model.
The sales cycle and cash plan, as well as technical talent, become the decisive part of the presentations.
KWORKS Connect continues the connecting role of university-based acceleration programs in the Turkish startup ecosystem. The lasting impact of the event will be seen through the commercial partnerships that 18 teams will establish in the coming period.