As we approach the completion of another cycle, it is time to reflect back on the year. Time to harvest our learnings and feel their power within us one last time, before we release them, to clear space for a new beginning. Here are notes that emerge from this reflection for 2024.
We began the year once again in Davos during the week of World Economic Forum, to join the conversation and to chart our plans for the year ahead. What struck us the most this year was how the sessions around “systemic transformation” were carried to main stage this year, and we were introduced to “polycapital” for the first time here. Both of these concepts remained pillars that shaped our vision and activities throughout the year. We are learning the value of weaving conversations between different communities, and so we held our first Fireside Chat event to expand the conversation in our national circles, upon our return. Our investments in Neol, Mpower Africa, MerantixAI that followed later during the year were informed by our Davos trip.
In spring we attended Katapult Future Fest in Oslo, a gathering for impact investors, change-makers, and entrepreneurs dedicated to social, cultural, and systemic change, committed to positively impact the world. Here we had access to experienced members of the global impact community, inspiring case studies, cutting edge fresh perspectives. This experience helped us to align our vision with the global impact community and start creating long term alliances. This is where we made the decision to become a member of Toniic Network and where we started to ask how can we become part of systemic transformation? Our investment that followed during the year in Untapped Global and Catalyst Fund of Seedstars were informed during this trip.
We attended Super Climate in Berlin at the end of spring to strengthen our relationship with German impact ecosystem, and meet with members of the global impact community that are in town for this “highly efficient” annual event.
Two themes emerged towards summer from our activities in the first half of the year:
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In what ways can we contribute to the sustainable and equitable growth of Africa's ecosystem?
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How can we actively engage in protecting and preserving our oceans?
Regarding the first topic, our investments in MPower Africa, Untapped Global, and the Catalyst Fund of Seedstars represent the visible tip of the iceberg, reflecting the extensive steps we’ve taken and the meaningful relationships we’ve cultivated to deepen our understanding of the continent. We believe that the communities around these excellent teams will continue help us unlock even greater potential as we deepen our engagement and collaboration across Africa. It was a true gift that Toniic Annual Global Gathering was held in South Africa later in the year that further amplified our understanding of the region's unique challenges and opportunities.
With regards to this second topic, we sought a manageable and meaningful focus that aligns with our passion for this vast and critical issue. When we were invited to participate in the “Çeşme Peninsula Marine Environment Issues and Solutions Workshop” it quickly became clear that our deep connection to the local sea, our involvement with the Turquoise Coast Environment Foundation, and our relationships with local stakeholders made this an ideal opportunity. This initiative already feels like a natural fit, and is quickly becoming a focal point, as we are excited to pour our hearts into it, bringing insights from the global community into our efforts next year.
Highpoint of summer was the Anatolian Dance to the Star Nation Ceremony, where Özlem and I danced for three and a half days carrying the prayers of all life to the Tree of Life, together with international community of people as well as our family.
With autumn came a true season of harvest. On a personal level, I completed a three-year advanced consciousness and self-leadership training with an international group, culminating in the act of building a dock in Mexico as part of the doorway we were invited to pass through.
Özlem and I became Family Business Network(FBN) Impact Leaders, collaborating with other members to chart a road map for our global community. We attended the Impact Leaders Retreat in Lausanne,hosted a follow-up session in Turkey to activate our national impact community,and exchanged insights at the FBN Global Summit in Tokyo.
Our connection to the international impact community deepened through House of Impact, now a standalone gathering following last year’s success, and we rounded out our global engagement with participation in Slush.
This year, we also invested in The Good Wild and Someone Somewhere, two exceptional companies that shine as jewels in their respective fields. These investments are the culmination of over a year of in-depth research—one in the food industry and the other infashion—reflecting our commitment to supporting innovative and impactful ventures.
Throughout the year we continued to actively lead TÜSİAD SD², playing a hands-on role in supporting Türkiye’s digital transformation journey, holding events that provided a platform to engage with industry leaders, tech innovators, and policy makers, fostering collaboration and exchange of ideas.
Even though we are closing the year with seven strategic investments and hundreds of meetings that shaped our partnerships, the true hallmark of 2024 has been our focus on stepping into new communities and embracing the “co-create” aspect of our mandate. By actively participating in 36 events—in over half of which we were featured as panelists or speakers—we not only advocated for the causes closest to our hearts but also actively facilitated the exchange of ideas and connections. These engagements allowed us to foster meaningful cross-pollination between international and national networks, building bridges that strengthen collaboration and amplify collective impact across diverse communities.
As we look toward 2025, we feel a sense of purpose and gratitude.
Our first Impact Report that we are now turning our focus into will provide a deeper look at the progress we have made and the lives we have touched.
The insights and lessons gained from this cycle will undoubtedly energize and guide us as we embark on the next, with renewed vigor and purpose.
But before all that begins, there’s time to take a moment in silence, in stillness, in peace.
Wishing you and your loved ones, an inspiring and prosperous new year full of health and hope.