Garanti BBVA Global Expansion Day Returns to Istanbul on Dec. 3

Y Combinator founders on the roadmap abroad

One of the highlights is a session with Berkay Adlım and Tunga Bayrak, founders of the Y Combinator-backed startups Kamion and Freya. They will walk attendees through the steps a startup needs to take to enter global markets, including the achievements and the difficulties along the way. Other panels will look at different routes to winning in international markets, and a special guest for the inspirational talk will be announced later.

The matchmaking sessions are the core of the day. Selected startups will meet investors, country delegations and ecosystem players in meetings arranged in advance. Before the event, a limited number of chosen startups will also sit down with country representatives and experts to learn about their target markets first-hand.

Building on a larger second edition

Garanti BBVA Deputy General Manager Ceren Acer Kezik said the bank has supported entrepreneurs for around 20 years, from the idea stage to global growth. The previous edition, the event's second, brought together more than 400 invited guests, more than 70 investors and more than 10 country delegations. This year's event aims to widen that network further.

Startups that apply will be assessed for fit with the event's purpose, and those selected will take part in the matchmaking meetings. The source materials give conflicting application deadlines, so founders should check globalexpansionday.com for the current date, application details and updates.