Farplas

At Fark Labs, we believe innovation begins not only with technology, but with a shift in mindset. That’s exactly what was explored at TÜSİAD’s 21st Corporate Entrepreneurship Meeting, held on April 11, 2025, at our innovation campus in Istanbul.

Since 2016, TÜSİAD has been bringing together companies that are actively integrating entrepreneurship into their structures and strategies. This year’s event once again spotlighted the critical intersection between startups and corporates—and why, for modern organizations, entrepreneurship is no longer optional, but essential.

“The companies of the future will be those that move forward with startups.”

In the opening remarks, TÜSİAD President Orhan Turan emphasized the strategic importance of fostering deeper ties between corporates and startups. As traditional companies navigate their innovation journeys, partnering with agile and visionary startups is a key to building a more sustainable future.

“We measure everything… but do we measure the cost of missed opportunities?”

Ahu Serter, Chairwoman of Fark Holding and Founder of Fark Labs, delivered a thought-provoking keynote that challenged institutions to not only rely on data-driven decisions but also embrace intuition when identifying emerging opportunities. Her talk focused on the mindset shifts necessary to drive meaningful change within organizations.

Corporate vs. Startup: Where Should You Invest?

One of the most talked-about sessions of the day was a candid panel moderated by Ahu Serter, featuring business leaders Leyla Alaton and Tankut Turnaoğlu. Titled “Holding vs. Startup Investment”, the discussion explored what it means to champion entrepreneurship within large corporations—and how investment strategies can vary based on organizational structures and leadership styles.

Real-World Perspectives from the Field

The closing panel brought corporate voices to the stage—leaders who have directly engaged with Fark Labs on entrepreneurial initiatives. Moderated by Fark Labs Growth Lead Selcen Uyguntüzel, the session featured Banu Hızlı (CEO, MPlus Turkey & MENA), Cevher Özyavuz (Board Member, Cevher Group), and Murat Sarpel (CEO, Empa Electronics). The panelists shared tangible insights on integrating entrepreneurial thinking into corporate culture, each bringing a unique lens from their own industries.

The event concluded with an engaging Q&A and networking session, offering guests a chance to exchange ideas and spark new collaborations.