Unleashing the power of women, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and J.P. Morgan are launching an advisory support programme that provides access to know-how to selected women entrepreneurs in İstanbul. Thanks to philanthropic support from J.P. Morgan, the programme will also include the development of entrepreneurial skills through training and networking.
Following a competitive selection process organised by the EBRD, ten high-potential micro and small companies run by female entrepreneurs were chosen and announced today. These are: Hadi Ham Yap, Esra Bridal, Ege Teknoloji Kimya, Nüde Danışmanlık, Doğaçlama Gıda, Brev Bilişim, Büyük Beden Stil, Özge Makina Torna Pres, Skare Gıda Pazarlama and Shaman’s Secret.
The companies operate in a wide range of sectors, from garment manufacturing to the design of business software or metal processing. Their priority is to overcome the economic impact of the Covid-19 crisis and the ongoing volatile business environment so that they can continue to grow in a sustainable manner.
Dalya Saftekin is one of the entrepreneurs selected to take part in the business advisory and training programme. She founded her business in 2018, producing healthy cakes and snacks, and she manages it with her mother, Tuna. Their brand name is Hadi Ham Yap and they aim to help parents feed their little ones healthy food. Currently, they produce at home, but will soon move to a production facility, which will be a huge change for the company. The EBRD will help Dalya as she scales up her operation; a local consultant has started to work with the firm to design new operational procedures, provide know-how on financial management and begin building a team that will help mother and daughter bring their business to the next level.
Supporting women-led businesses such as Hadi Ham Yap is one of the EBRD’s priorities across the regions where it invests. The Bank’s Women in Business programme has helped more than 20,000 women entrepreneurs in Turkey since 2014 to reach their full potential by providing credit lines, advisory support, training, mentoring and access to business networks. Greater participation of women in the economy and a closing of the gender gap are expected to increase the country’s overall prosperity.
J.P. Morgan is the first private philanthropic organisation to support the EBRD’s advisory operations in Turkey with grant co-financing, aiming to boost the growth of small businesses and especially women’s entrepreneurship. The new advisory programme launched today is part of the firm’s US$ 150 million, five-year commitment to expanding opportunities for underserved entrepreneurs globally.
Support from J.P. Morgan will also be used to develop and promote the EBRD Know How Academy, an online learning platform for entrepreneurs. The Academy helps entrepreneurs to access tools and training that are relevant to growing their businesses.
The EBRD is a major investor in Turkey. To date, the Bank has invested more than €14 billion through 351 projects in various sectors of the country’s economy, with 95 per cent of those investments in the private sector.
