About Us
About Us
J-START is an investment initiative launched through the strategic collaboration of Abdul Latif Jameel, possessing over 80 years of global experience, and Sabancı Ventures, the corporate venture capital arm of Sabancı Holding, one of Türkiye leading conglomerates.
Established to add value to the entrepreneurship ecosystem, J-START is structured as a Venture Capital Investment Fund (VCIF) founded and managed by Ak Portföy Management.
The fund, established with the approval of the Capital Markets Board (CMB) on December 28, 2023, aims to support future-shaping startups by leveraging its strong corporate heritage and the trusted management expertise of Ak Portföy.
Our vision is to bring Türkiye’s deep technology (Deep Tech) potential to the global stage and to support the commercialization journey of innovative ideas emerging from the academic world.
Our Mission and Focus Areas
J-START prioritizes early-stage, high-technology startups that are research and development–driven, particularly those emerging from academic institutions. Our goal is to strengthen Türkiye’s deep technology ecosystem by supporting the “next generation of entrepreneurs” who will shape the future.
Our Core Investment Areas:
1) Artificial Intelligence and Big Data Analytics
2) Advanced Materials Technologies
3) Deep Technology (Robotics, Quantum, Nanotechnology)
4) Financial and Education Technologies (FinTech & EdTech)
5) Smart Cities and Cybersecurity
6) Digital Health and Clean Energy
Strong Collaboration and Ecosystem
J-START is not just a source of funding; it is the convergence of deep expertise and a powerful commercial network.
Strategic Partnership: Abdul Latif Jameel global network comes together with Sabancı Ventures’ strong local and regional presence.
Academic Support: Through its collaboration with Sabancı University, the bold ideas of brilliant minds within the university are transformed into reality.
Operational Guidance: Inovent, Türkiye’s first technology commercialization company, provides consultancy and deal-sourcing services for the fund, ensuring that the most promising ventures are brought into the ecosystem.
“J-START was established to show the world that Türkiye is at the forefront of research on how to create a better future for everyone.”
— Ali Haydar Bozkurt, President & CEO of Abdul Latif Jameel Türkiye and Europe
Why J-START?
In today’s technology-driven ecosystem, transforming rigorous research into real-world applications is critical. At J-START, we:
- Bridge the Early-Stage Gap: We address the critical funding needs in deep tech investments at the earliest stages.
- Create Commercial Collaboration Opportunities: We open commercial pathways for startups through the Sabancı Group and Abdul Latif Jameel global business networks.
- Provide Investment Committee Assurance: With an expert committee comprising representatives from Abdul Latif Jameel, Sabancı Holding, and Sabancı University, we focus on projects with the highest potential.
