Where does Yahya Ulker work?

Yahya Ulker is Managing Partner at Yildiz Ventures.

What check size does Yahya Ulker write?

Yahya Ulker typically writes checks of $500K – $2.5M.

Where did Yahya Ulker go to school?

Yahya Ulker studied at Koç University (Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.), Business Administration and Management); INSEAD (International Directors Programme (IDP71), Corporate Governance); Harvard Business School Online (Certificate in).

Yahya Ulker

Investor

Managing Partner at Yildiz Ventures

Istanbul

Writes $500K – $2.5M checks · typically $1M

About

Yahya Ulker is Managing Director at pladis Global and Transformation Leader at Yildiz Holding, where he incubates and invests in startups across multiple sectors. He oversees e-commerce operations for Sok Marketler and Godiva Chocolatier, and serves as Technology Leader and Board Member of Yildiz Tech. Ulker holds board and advisory positions with Q Angels, Gozde Tech Ventures, and Endeavor Turkey, and is a member of DEIK's Digital Technologies Business Council; he holds a B.B.A. from Koc University.

Experience

pladis GlobalManaging Directorcurrent2026 — presentEurope
Aksa Akrilik Kimya Sanayii A.Ş.Independent Board Membercurrent2026 — present
Yıldız HoldingVice Chairmancurrent2025 — present
Yıldız HoldingBoard Member2018 — 2025Istanbul, Turkey
Godiva ChocolatierBoard Membercurrent2026 — present
Sabri Ulker Food Research FoundationChaircurrent2025 — present
Yildiz VenturesChaircurrent2019 — presentIstanbul, Türkiye
Şok MarketlerBoard Membercurrent2024 — presentIstanbul, Türkiye
Şok MarketlerCommercial Director2023 — 2024
Şok MarketlerEcommerce Leader2022 — 2024Istanbul, Turkey
Şok MarketlerSales and Operations Director2022 — 2023
Gumlink Confectionery Company A/SExecutive Board Membercurrent2025 — presentDenmark
Continental Confectionery CompanyExecutive Board Membercurrent2025 — presentTürkiye
ÜlkerVice Chairmancurrent2025 — present
Gözde Girişim Sermayesi Yatırım Ortaklığı A.Ş.Board Membercurrent2025 — present
Bizim Toptan Satış MağazalarıBoard Member2023 — 2026Istanbul, Turkey
istegelsinFounder & Executive Chair2018 — 2024Istanbul, Turkey
eStar Global E-TicaretChief Executive Officer2019 — 2021
Northstar InnovationGeneral Coordinator2017 — 2019
Credit SuisseFinance Intern2017
Kambly SAManufacturing Intern2017Trubschachen, Canton of Bern, Switzerland
KantarMarketing Intern2016

Skills & more

EnglishStrategic PlanningStrategyBiscuitsCakesChocolateChewing GumCandyJellyMarketing StrategySupply Chain ManagementLuxury Goods

+12 more

International Joint VenturesBoard LevelManufacturingJoint VenturesExport OperationsPrivate LabelInvestmentsIncubationBusiness TransformationGlobal E-CommerceResearch and Development (R&D)E-Commerce Consulting

Languages English · Turkish

From Yahya's professional profile.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Yahya Ulker?: Yahya Ulker is Managing Director at pladis Global and Transformation Leader at Yildiz Holding, where he incubates and invests in startups across multiple sectors. He oversees e-commerce operations for Sok Marketler and Godiva Chocolatier, and serves as Technology Leader and Board Member of Yildiz Tech. Ulker holds board and advisory positions with Q Angels, Gozde Tech Ventures, and Endeavor Turkey, and is a member of DEIK's Digital Technologies Business Council; he holds a B.B.A. from Koc University.
Where does Yahya Ulker work?: Yahya Ulker is Managing Partner at Yildiz Ventures.
What check size does Yahya Ulker write?: Yahya Ulker typically writes checks of $500K – $2.5M.
Where did Yahya Ulker go to school?: Yahya Ulker studied at Koç University (Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.), Business Administration and Management); INSEAD (International Directors Programme (IDP71), Corporate Governance); Harvard Business School Online (Certificate in).

Same school

Also attended Koç University42

Gizem CakilInvestor at OpenView Venture Partners Meltem TumerAssociate at Fly Ventures Emin Taha CelikInvestment | Growth Funds at 212 Dogukan Enes VeliogluInvestment | Simya VC at 212 Musab DemirciInvestment Intern at 212 Oguzhan AygorenExperts | Venture Partner at 212

+ 36 more

Also attended INSEAD1,029

Alexandre ProtCo-founder & CEO of Qonto Steve AnaviCo-founder & President of Qonto Patrick ClaessenPartner at Cottonwood Technology Fund Chris BischoffInvestment Team at General Catalyst Jan HammerInvestor at Index Ventures Sandra SchwarzerInvestor at Index Ventures

+ 1,023 more

Also attended Harvard Business School Online198

MariaInvestor at Investinor Kelsey BeausoleilBusiness Development Network at Redpoint Ventures Oliver MarquesPartner, Capital Formation at March Capital Partners John DemeterInvestor at Khosla Ventures Jeff RoseAdvisor at AI Capital RobAdvisor at TFX Capital

+ 192 more

Also attended UCLA625

Ben HorowitzCo-founder & General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz Ron ConwayFounder of SV Angel Kirsten GreenFounder and Managing Partner at Forerunner Ventures Vlad TenevCo-founder & CEO of Robinhood Ryan KingCo-founder of Chime Paul FieldingFinance & Operations at General Catalyst

+ 619 more

Shared employers

Also worked at pladis Global1

Marissa ForayDirector, Strategy & Research at ECP Growth

Also worked at Godiva Chocolatier3

Lauri Kien KotcherAdvisor at Siddhi Capital Karin Rotem-WildemanChief R+D Officer, Keurig Dr Pepper at Astia Marissa ForayDirector, Strategy & Research at ECP Growth