Golden Horn Ventures

Golden Horn Ventures

The fund that we are raising for Turkey is called "“Golden Horn Ventures Fund” (GHV). GHV is looking to raise a new $50-million Turkey fund, to invest it, $1 million to $6 million per deal, in early to pre-expansion-stage startups.

Our focus is on software companies that are

innovative in technology,

betting on new business models,

betting on new distribution models.

What we believe is that to “innovative”, to “dare” and to “experiment” needs to be highly appreciated and valued, especially in markets that change fast such as information technology (IT). We also believe that companies, which "innovate" and "dare" will yield high returns, if nothing else will be valued highly for the experience and the know-how for the market that is ever changing.

We believe in working with entrepreneurs from idea inception to funding to company building and internationalizing. We want to be involved in; - as an advisor, not as a driver of the company -

Business development activities
Partnerships, business modeling, funding, etc.
Sales and Marketing

Intellectual property
Patent, copyright, etc.

Product Management

GHV - Markets to Invest In

The markets GHV invests in are mostly what is new and promising, what is risky and potentially rewarding (80%). We would like to invest a small percentage on what is widely invested, hot and popular now! That will make up around 20% of our investments.
Here is a list of areas of our interests:

Business applications (SaaS),

Micropayment,

Location-based services,

Telephony software,

Wireless access,

RFID,

Media applications,

Short- and long- term video,

Interactive entertainment,

IP-based electrical devices,

Open-source applications,

Web 2.0 applications.

We want to applaud the thrill of innovation and to encourage financing it. Our goal is to be ahead of the curve instead of riding it!
The criteria for selecting companies for the portfolio companies are:

High growth markets

Scalable

Disruptive technologies

We also believe that:

New is better than old

Potential is important as proof

Revolutionary is better than evolutionary

I will try to talk about some of the companies in Turkey that are examples to portfolio companies that we would like to invest in in the next posts.

Mae Ozkan

Innovation, Technology and Emerging Markets

Globalization first meant less developed countries opening up borders for the multinationals of the more developed countries. The emerging countries have not been more than open markets for the developed countries. However, as the reach of technology and knowledge became affordable by the poor, innovation has been happening more and more in those countries that have been only once markets-to-sell. Now, there is an opportunity for those of us that are from the less developed parts of the world - or should I say 'emerging'- to create, produce and sell to the more developed parts of the world.

This evolution of the markets was inevitable and I am very happy to see that it is happening in many parts of the world and creating an opportunity for the ones that have a passion to create, innovate and/or produce.

After living and working in the US for many years and asking myself how to create an environment in my home that is is rewarding to innovate and to produce, I have come back to my home town in Istanbul with an enthusiastic project that is based on this very opportunity.

I am starting a new fund in Turkey. I have callled it "Golden Horn Ventures (GHV)". GHV focuses on internationalizing innovative technology companies, mainly software and hardware. We are in the process of raising funds and partnering with VC's from the US and Europe. We will provide not only capital, but also talent, experience and network to the companies here, in Turkey. In other words, we will try to build a bridge between Turkey and the Silicon Valley.
I will keep posting about the developments on the project and where we are and what we do. I am sure what I am trying to do is happening in many parts of the world.

Many things have been changing and will continue to change in the emerging markets. My passion is to create an ecosystem that values innovation and production. That is my ultimate goal in business.
Mae Ozkan