Team size: About 50

What are the most significant cases or transactions that your legal team has recently been involved in?

WorqCompany’s legal team spearheaded the first social Sukuk issuance in Turkey’s private sector, a pioneering financial instrument aimed at facilitating sustainable and equitable economic growth.

This Sukuk issuance, facilitated for WorqCompany, was designed with the purpose of offering financial returns and promoting social good, specifically targeting the e-commerce sector’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It represents a crucial step towards democratising access to funding, enabling these businesses to thrive in a competitive landscape.

Our team developed a framework that ensures the Sukuk not only provides financial returns to investors but also contributes to societal benefits, such as supporting underrepresented groups, including women and young entrepreneurs, fostering gender equality, and promoting income justice.

The successes of idacapital include reaching a fund size milestone of ₺1bn at the end of the 2023 and making strategic investments totalling ₺230m across eight promising portfolio companies, underscores the confidence placed in my vision with both legal and operational strategy.

My dual role enriches my understanding and ability to navigate both the investor landscape through idacapital and the investee landscape that I have in WorqCompany, offering a comprehensive perspective on legal and strategic necessities. By integrating legal expertise with a deep understanding of impact investment principles, I have helped shape a business environment that prioritises sustainability, and long-term societal benefits alongside robust financial returns. This approach has not only fortified the legal and ethical foundations of my clients’ ventures but has also contributed to the broader vision of fostering a more equitable and sustainable economic system.

What strategic priorities are guiding you and your team in 2024?

My ambition for 2024 is to facilitate the seamless integration and operation of Turkish startups and VCs within the UK, navigating the intricate web of international financial and economic law, investment regulations, and corporate governance.

This strategic objective is underpinned by a commitment to developing comprehensive legal strategies that address the multifaceted challenges of global market expansion. By providing tailored legal advice, I aim to ensure that our ventures are compliant with local and international laws and are positioned to capitalise on the opportunities presented by these diverse markets. The focus will be on enhancing the resilience and scalability of our investments through legal frameworks that support sustainable growth, mitigate risks, and maximise returns. This involves a proactive approach to identifying potential legal hurdles and crafting innovative solutions to facilitate smooth market entry and operation.

In summary, my strategic priorities for 2024 revolve around employing my dual expertise to support the global aspirations of Turkish VCs and startups. By providing sophisticated legal guidance tailored to the nuances of the Turkish and UK markets, I am committed to facilitating a seamless and successful international expansion for our ventures. Through this focused approach, I aim to not only meet the immediate legal needs of my clients but also empower them to achieve long-term success in the global arena. This mission is a testament to the transformative power of combining legal prowess with strategic business insight to navigate the complexities of the international investment landscape.

Do you have a cause, business-related or otherwise, that you are passionate about?

At the heart of my work with idacapital and WorqCompany, I actively contribute to initiatives that align with UNDP’s objectives, such as reducing inequalities, supporting sustainable economic growth, and fostering innovation. This alignment is evident in our strategic investments and legal frameworks designed to not only ensure compliance and scalability but also to positively impact the community and environments where businesses are not just surviving but thriving, leveraging legal frameworks to scale, innovate, and impact.

At the core of my approach is a belief in the power of law as a tool for positive change, guiding businesses towards practices that not only yield financial success but also address pressing global challenges. By fostering a business ecosystem where legal compliance aligns with social impact goals, I ensure that the ventures I work with are positioned for both local and global success, contributing to a cycle of positive social change and innovation.

In conclusion, my position within the startup investment and VC world is marked by a blend of deep legal acumen, strategic foresight, and a commitment to positive impact. This unique combination of skills and perspectives makes me an invaluable asset to both idacapital and WorqCompany, as well as to the broader ecosystem of impact investing and venture capital. My work exemplifies the pivotal role legal professionals can play in steering the finance and investment world towards a future where economic advancement and social responsibility are inextricably linked.