Joona Selin, Commercial Counselor at the Finnish Embassy in Ankara, stated that last year was the third consecutive record year in bilateral trade between Turkiye and Finland and that they were on track to reach a trade volume of €3 billion this year.
Hamam Tech Summit – Investor Meeting, organized by ArcticStartup and with the participation of the leading investors of Northern Europe, started in Istanbul.
LP, GP, Family Offices, VC, CVC, PE and angel investors attended the event, which aimed to create joint investment and fund development opportunities between Turkiye and Northern Europe, strengthen the information network between the countries and create collaborations that will support the global presence of the Turkish investment ecosystem.
At the event, information was also given about the Hamam Tech Summit, which will be held in the autumn of this year, and ideas were exchanged on how to contribute to Turkiye’s startup ecosystem.
Speaking at the opening of the event, Selin stated that last year was the third consecutive record year for bilateral trade between Turkiye and Finland and that they were on track to reach a trade volume of €3 billion this year.
Selin stated that they are actively working on issues such as circular economy in the textile industry, sustainable mining, and decarbonization of the iron and steel industries, and underlined that all of these are areas where Finland-Turkiye cooperation can pave the way for new technologies and innovations.
Pointing out that there is a positive trend on the trade front between the two countries, Selin said, “We have seen some acquisitions and production from scratch in terms of investments, the same goes for startups and early stage companies, but there is definitely potential for more. That’s why we need meetings like today that bring together the startup and investor ecosystem.”
Selin stated that the Hamam Tech Summit-Investor Meeting event is a continuation of the Finland-Turkiye events they held in Helsinki in November last year. “We are here to build meaningful and lasting connections and friendships, when two or more organizations interact or collaborate to create a combined impact greater than the sum of their separate impacts. Through these friendships, we are able to work together and make a real difference.”
“We bring together the intellectual and innovative richness of the Scandinavian and Turkish technology ecosystems”
ArcticStartup Chief Executive (CEO) Vedat Ondas stated that they came together as a symbol of unity and cooperation between the Scandinavian technology investor scene and the lively spirit of Istanbul.
Stating that their aim is to establish connections, explore ways of cooperation and create a unity that transcends borders, Ondas said:
“In this meeting, we bring together not only financial capital, but also the intellectual and innovative wealth of both the Scandinavian and Turkish technology ecosystems. As we embark on this technological journey, let’s engage in meaningful dialogues, share our insights, and explore collaborations that will not only define the present but also shape the course of technology history.”
Source: AA / Prepared by Irem Yildiz