Being an Entrepreneur in Turkey Pitch Deck Teardown

Introduction and Speaker Profile

Slide 1: Title Slide

The cover slide establishes the context: an International Business Conference at Istanbul Aydın University held on May 11, 2017. The title 'START-UP PITCH DECK' is presented in large, teal block letters over a lifestyle photograph. The author, Onur B. Çağlar, identifies as a Serial Entrepreneur, C-Level Professional, Academician, and Consultant. Contact information including a phone number (+90 533 6330011) and website (obcaglar.com) is prominently displayed on a mobile phone graphic.

Slide 2: Professional History

This slide provides a candid timeline of the author's career. In 2013, the author notes a career in the finance sector and involvement in two startups, one of which was exited by selling shares after 'dead-end disputes.' By 2015, the timeline shows an academic career and consultancy, alongside a third startup. Notably, the author explicitly states that the '2nd startup has failed' and an agency was closed due to 'partners’ disagreement.' The slide concludes with the current status of planning two more vertical startups.

Macro-Economic Context of Turkey

Slide 3: Economic Outlook

The presentation shifts to a macro-economic defense of the Turkish market. Citing OECD data, the slide claims Turkey is expected to be one of the fastest-growing economies among OECD members between 2015-2025. A bar chart shows Turkey at the top with a 4.9% annual average real GDP growth forecast, significantly ahead of Chile (4.9%), Greece (3.8%), and the US (2.6%).

Slide 4: Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)

This slide tracks FDI inflows to Turkey from 2006 to 2016 using data from TradingEconomics and ISPAT. The chart shows a peak in 2007 at $22,046 million, followed by a sharp decline during the global financial crisis. By 2016, the figure is reported at $12,300 million. The inclusion of this data suggests an attempt to show market resilience despite historical volatility.

Slide 5: R&D Incentives

The author outlines the institutional support available for Turkish startups. Five categories are illustrated with stopwatch icons: R&D Law (targeting high-tech sectors), Technoparks (university-affiliated development zones), Industrial Thesis (support for tech adaptation), TUBITAK (grants for R&D expenses), and TTGV (interest-free loans for energy and ag-tech). This slide serves as a map for founders to navigate local government support.

Slide 6: Automation and Future of Work

Using an infographic with Turkish text, the slide discusses the 'Highest automation possibility of business areas.' It cites various sources including McKinsey Global Institute and the World Bank. Key figures include a 57% automation risk for jobs in OECD countries and a prediction that 5 million jobs will be lost globally by 2020. This slide frames the necessity of entrepreneurship as a response to shifting labor markets.

Entrepreneurial Theory and Advice

Slide 7: 10 Tips for Startups

The author provides a list of '10 effortlessly do to rocket your startup.' The advice is general: stop multitasking, keep meetings short, listen to critics, challenge yourself, become a better listener, network, take care of health, learn something new daily, don't fear tough decisions, and do what you love. This reinforces the deck's role as a mentorship tool rather than a specific business pitch.

Slide 8: Starting a Startup

A transition slide featuring a 'Start Up!' illustration with a rocket. It marks the beginning of the section focused on the mechanics of building a company.

Slide 9: Traditional Methods Critique

The author includes the classic 'Tree Swing' cartoon, which illustrates how different departments (customer, project leader, analyst, programmer) misinterpret requirements. The headline 'If you still use traditional methods!' suggests that the following slides will propose a more modern, agile approach to development.

Slide 10: The Coolfarming Process

This slide introduces a proprietary or specific innovation framework called 'Coolfarming.' It is described as a 'swarm-based innovation process' in four steps: Creator (the idea), COIN (Collaborative Innovation Network), CLN (Collaborative Learning Network involving friends and family), and CIN (Collaborative Interest Network involving outsiders). This provides a theoretical roadmap for scaling an idea into a community.

Market Analysis and Ecosystem Data

Slide 11: Market Situation Transition

A transition slide featuring a man in a suit, signaling a shift into hard market data.

Slide 12: 2017 Q1 Funding Activities

This is one of the most data-rich slides for the local ecosystem. It reports that in Q1 2017, $19.4 million was invested in 23 rounds. However, it notes a significant imbalance: $13 million was raised by a single company, iyzico , while the remaining 22 rounds shared only $6 million. The author concludes, 'We still need more investments in Serie A & B rounds.' A grid of 24 logos (including Insider, Tarfin, and Evreka) illustrates the active companies of that period.

Slides 13-15: Section Headers

These slides serve as structural markers for 'Investors are looking for,' 'Let's begin your story,' and 'Market Size.' They contain no specific data, acting as placeholders for a standard pitch narrative.

Pitch Deck Templates and Placeholders

Slide 16: Market Size Placeholder

Despite the heading, the slide features a generic aerial photo of a European-style town with no data. It is a visual placeholder for where a founder would typically insert TAM/SAM/SOM figures.

Slide 17: Successful Business Models

This slide shows a world map with teal circles over the U.S. (85%), Mexico (72%), and Spain (65%). The text below each region says 'Describe trends by region,' confirming that this deck was intended as a template for others to fill in or as a visual aid for a speech where the author would provide verbal details.

Slide 18: Product Roadmap

A generic roadmap graphic showing a rocket trajectory through five milestones: Alpha release, Beta release, Silent launch, Local launch, and International launch. Each milestone contains placeholder text: 'Description of the new features and the main benefit for your customer.'

Slide 19: Business Model Canvas vs. Business Plan

Slide 19 shows a brain scan with 'logic' on the left and 'emotion' on the right, titled 'The Business model canvas.' Slide 20 shows a physical document titled 'BUSINESS PLAN' with callouts for financial spreadsheets, environment analysis, and SWOT. The juxtaposition suggests the author is advocating for a balance between structured planning and the more agile Business Model Canvas approach.

Slide 21: The Ask (Template)

The final slide in the provided set, titled 'Select way to progress,' functions as a checklist for the 'Ask.' It prompts the founder to define how much funding they need, for what purpose, and in which phase. It also includes a section for those seeking mentors, asking which profiles are needed and how they will be compensated (fee, success fee, shares, or options).

What Works and What is Missing

What Works

Macro-Economic Justification: The use of OECD and FDI data (Slides 3-4) provides a strong 'Why Turkey?' argument that would be necessary for international investors. · Ecosystem Mapping: Slide 12 provides a very clear snapshot of the 2017 Turkish startup landscape, identifying the specific gap in Series A/B funding. · Founder Transparency: The author’s willingness to list a failed startup on Slide 2 builds credibility and demonstrates a 'battle-tested' background. · Visual Consistency: The deck uses a consistent teal and grey color palette, making it look professional despite the use of placeholder images.

What is Missing

Proprietary Product Data: As this is a conference presentation/template, there is no specific product, value proposition, or unit economics for a single business. · Specific Team Details: Slide 19 is a placeholder; there are no bios or headshots for a functional founding team. · Competitive Analysis: While successful business models are mentioned as a concept (Slide 17), there is no direct comparison to competitors. · Financial Projections: The deck lacks any specific revenue targets or burn rate information, providing only a checklist of what should be in a financial plan (Slide 20).

What a Founder Should Copy

The Ecosystem Snapshot: Founders should include a slide similar to Slide 12 that shows they understand their local funding environment and where they fit within it. · Government Incentive Awareness: Slide 5 is an excellent example of how to show investors that you are leveraging non-dilutive government support to extend your runway. · The 'Lessons Learned' Timeline: Instead of just listing titles, copying the author's approach of explaining why a previous venture ended (Slide 2) can demonstrate maturity to investors.