Independent (Fatmanur Güder)

Istanbul Development Agency (ISTKA) was established with a view to "expediting the regional development in harmony with the principles and policies set out in the national development plan and programs, providing sustainability and closing the interregional and intraregional gaps by improving collaborations among the public & private industry and non-governmental organizations, fostering opportune and efficient use of resources and galvanizing the local potential" ISTKA prioritizes four key areas: Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Creativity, and Talent. ISTKA strategically unveils financial support programs tailored to these areas, extending funding to projects with the overarching goal of nurturing development and catalyzing growth. As an expert at the agency, I played a pivotal role as the responsible person in the realization of Turkey's first social impact bond initiative. I spearheaded the design and negotiation processes of this project, aimed at training and employing 550 individuals as software developers through an outcome-based payment system. Additionally, within the scope of the Entrepreneurship Programme, I contributed to the design of financial support programs and worked on organizing the participation of Istanbul-based startups in global tech events to facilitate their internationalization efforts.