ITU Cekirdek

Aytuğ Altınok is an Associate in Startup Programs at İTÜ Çekirdek, where he focuses on Turkish and global startup initiatives. His work spans startup strategy, investment structures including venture capital and corporate venture capital, and ecosystem development. He holds a degree from Koç University, class of 2024.

Beyza Canbaz is a Collaborations and Stakeholder Relations Expert at İTÜ ARI Teknokent, Turkey's entrepreneurship center, where she designs startup-corporate collaboration models and manages stakeholder relations for initiatives including the Big Bang Startup Challenge. She holds an academic background in Political Science and Sport Sciences, with three years of research experience in sport sociology. Her work focuses on innovation strategy and cross-sector partnerships within collaborative ecosystems.

Buğra Metin is an Expert in Portfolio Management & Fund at İTÜ ARI Teknokent A.Ş., where he evaluates investment opportunities, analyzes portfolio companies, and supports growth strategies for ITU Seed and ITU ARI Teknokent Fund.

Cansu Kabasakal holds a degree in Biology from Hacettepe University and has worked across biotechnology, academia, and entrepreneurship support since 2015. Her roles have included project management at ERES Biotechnology, laboratory assistance at Gazi University, and entrepreneurship program coordination at Ankara University Technopolis and Özyeğin University Entrepreneurship Center. Since March 2024, she has served as a specialist at İTÜ Çekirdek.

Cansu Özyurt is a Senior Marketing Communication Expert at İTÜ ARI Teknokent A.Ş. with over 9 years of experience across technology, FMCG, real estate, and startup sectors. She specializes in brand strategy, digital marketing, and ecommerce, with expertise spanning content, performance marketing, influencer partnerships, and CRM initiatives.

Mert Konuk is a Startup Program Manager at ITU Cekirdek, ITU ARI Technopark's incubation center, where he manages local and international acceleration programs and develops the technopark's global partnership network. With ten years of experience in startup acceleration and business development, he has supported startups in growth and fundraising activities, and has worked across sustainability, impact-driven innovation, and ecosystem development with organizations including ISKO and his co-founded social enterprise Zeropact. He mentors technology and social entrepreneurs and serves as a micro-investor in startups.

Nigar Zulfugarova is a Senior Expert in Marketing Communications at İTÜ ARI Teknokent A.Ş. with a PhD in Radio, TV and Cinema from Communication Sciences. Her work focuses on brand communication strategy, entrepreneurship marketing, and digital media positioning, while her research examines the societal impact of technology, artificial intelligence, and changes in labor dynamics.

Oğuzcan Çobanoğlu leads acceleration programs at İTÜ ARI Teknokent. His work spans operations, business development, and process management within science parks and incubation centers. He also serves as a mentor.