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INVEST101, officially known as the Development ODTÜ TEKNOKENT Venture Capital Investment Fund, is a venture capital fund based in Turkey. Established in 2022, it is a collaboration between the Türkiye Development Fund and ODTÜ/METU Teknokent. The fund is dedicated to supporting early-stage technology startups, particularly those that are technology-heavy and have the potential for significant growth.
Headquartered in Istanbul, INVEST101 is anchored in the Turkish development and university-technopark ecosystem. This positioning allows the fund to leverage its connections within these networks to provide valuable resources to its portfolio companies. The fund has a total size of approximately $12 million, focusing on investments ranging from $250,000 to $1 million.
As of 2026, INVEST101 continues to actively engage with its portfolio companies, demonstrating a commitment to fostering innovation and growth within the Turkish startup landscape.
INVEST101 invests in early-stage companies across a variety of sectors, including AI, cybersecurity, fintech, robotics, biotech, energy, agtech, and IoT. The fund primarily targets startups at the pre-seed, seed, Series A, and Series B stages, with check sizes ranging from $250,000 to $1 million. This broad sector focus allows INVEST101 to support a diverse range of technology-driven startups.
The fund emphasizes backing innovative startups with strong growth potential, leveraging its connections within the Türkiye Development Fund and ODTÜ Teknokent networks. INVEST101 seeks to help these companies scale from Türkiye into larger regional or global markets, often co-investing with other venture capital firms to enhance their growth prospects.
INVEST101 has made several notable investments in early-stage technology companies:
This diverse portfolio reflects INVEST101's commitment to supporting technology-driven startups across various sectors.
Elif Emirli Altug, PhD, CFA: CEO and board member of Türkiye Development Fund, involved in the investment decision-making process at INVEST101. She has a strong background in finance and venture capital, contributing to the fund's strategic direction.
Serkan Alan Elden: Listed employee on LinkedIn, specific title and investment focus were not found in fetched sources. His role likely involves supporting the fund's investment activities and portfolio management.
To pitch to INVEST101, founders should visit their website at invest101.vc. It is advisable to include a clear overview of the business model, market opportunity, and technology differentiation in the pitch deck.
While specific response time expectations are not detailed, founders should anticipate a thorough review process given the fund's focus on technology-driven startups.
In 2023, INVEST101 announced its investment in DefensX, a zero-trust secure browser and security software company. This investment highlights the fund's commitment to supporting innovative technology startups.
In 2026, INVEST101 recognized Qubitrium as a portfolio company, indicating ongoing engagement with its investments. Additionally, investments in Cendra and Flowla were announced in the same year, showcasing the fund's active investment strategy.
What are INVEST101's investment criteria?
INVEST101 focuses on early-stage technology startups across sectors such as AI, cybersecurity, fintech, robotics, biotech, energy, agtech, and IoT. The fund typically invests in companies at the pre-seed, seed, Series A, and Series B stages.
How can I apply or pitch to INVEST101?
Founders interested in pitching to INVEST101 can visit their website at invest101.vc for more information on the application process.
What makes INVEST101 different from other VCs?
INVEST101 is uniquely positioned within the Turkish development and university-technopark ecosystem, providing not only capital but also access to mentorship and extensive networks that can help startups navigate their growth journey.
What is the geographic focus of INVEST101?
The fund primarily focuses on startups based in Turkey, particularly those that can leverage the local development ecosystem.
What is the typical check size for investments?
INVEST101 typically invests between $250,000 and $1 million in its portfolio companies.
What kind of post-investment support does INVEST101 provide?
INVEST101 offers mentorship, access to networks, and co-investor support to help startups grow and scale effectively.
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