As part of the WeLead project, carried out under the leadership of TÜRKONFED and with the support of Türkiye İş Bankası to help women entrepreneurs adapt more quickly to their business development processes, an “Inspiration Meeting and Procurement Day” was held in İzmir. During the event, women entrepreneurs had the opportunity to visit the stands of representatives from chain markets, e-commerce platforms, and investors, where they showcased their products, made their first business connections, and expanded their professional networks.
TÜRKONFED and İş Bankası organized a Procurement Day for women entrepreneurs.
Within the scope of the WeLead project—organized under the leadership of the Turkish Business Confederation (TÜRKONFED) and supported by Türkiye İş Bankası to help women entrepreneurs adapt more rapidly to business development processes in an evolving and digitalizing world—an “Inspiration Meeting and Procurement Day” was held at the Gas Factory in cooperation with the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality. Hosted by the Western Anatolian Federation of Industrialists and Business People’s Associations (BASİFED), the event was attended by İzmir Metropolitan Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay, representatives from TÜRKONFED, Türkiye İş Bankası, and BASİFED, as well as women entrepreneurs, business leaders, public officials, and representatives from various civil society organizations.
Prof. Dr. Yasemin Açık: “We must raise women’s share in the entrepreneurship ecosystem to the global average.”
TÜRKONFED Vice President and Chair of the Women in Business Commission (İDK), Prof. Dr. Yasemin Açık, emphasized that they work to support the economic independence of women across Türkiye and guide the entire business world based on gender equality. She stated: “The position, health, and status of women in society remain far behind where they should be and where we aspire them to be. For a fairer and more balanced society, we must increase women’s share in the entrepreneurship ecosystem and, as a first step, reach the global average of around 35%. Women must be enabled to participate effectively and competently in all areas of life — social, economic, political, and cultural — and we must increase the number of women who work, start businesses, and employ others. Through our WeLead project, we have reached more than 10,000 women entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs since 2021. We expanded the focus of entrepreneurship beyond major cities to all regions of Türkiye. However, there is still a long road ahead and many barriers to overcome. Therefore, together, with a multidisciplinary approach, we will continue to put in the effort and work hand in hand.”
Özge Küllah Kurtuluş: “The empowerment of a woman is the transformation of a family, and ultimately, of a society.”
Türkiye İş Bankası SME and Business Banking Marketing Manager Özge Küllah Kurtuluş stated: “With our belief in women’s labor, ideas, creativity, and dreams, we are carrying out the WeLead project in partnership with TÜRKONFED. Through this project—which uplifts women’s dreams, unveils their potential, and illuminates their entrepreneurial journeys—we are witnessing a true transformation. The determination in the eyes of every woman we meet, the resilience in their stories, and the courage in their steps give us hope, inspiration, and a deep sense of responsibility. So far, we have reached more than 10,000 women. We have organized trainings in various areas—from e-commerce and digital marketing to budget management and legal literacy. We believe that every woman charts her own path with courage and carries a unique potential. Guided by this belief, we advocate that women deserve not only to be supported but also to shine through equal opportunities. Each woman’s story here today is invaluable to us—because we know that the empowerment of one woman leads to the transformation of a family, and ultimately, of society.”
Semiha Güneş: “İzmir provides a fertile ground for women entrepreneurs.”
BASİFED Chairperson Semiha Güneş emphasized that empowering women in the economy is essential for the well-being of society as a whole: “At BASİFED, we work with this vision in mind—striving at every step to ensure that women have a stronger, more visible, and more active role in the economy. İzmir, on the other hand, offers a unique setting to unleash this potential. The city’s innovative culture and women-focused social structure provide a highly productive environment for women entrepreneurs. Our duty is to turn this potential into tangible opportunities for women. In this regard, I find it highly strategic and valuable that our event has been designed as a ‘Procurement Day.’ Through such initiatives, women and men grow stronger together and shape the future collectively.”
New Collaborations Launched
Following the opening remarks, WeLead Program Director Nazan Butuner presented the project’s goals and objectives, while Türkiye İş Bankası SME and Business Banking Marketing Deputy Manager Pınar Geben Yalçın shared insights on the bank’s initiatives supporting women entrepreneurs.
The event featured two panel sessions: The first, titled “Success Stories from Mentees”, was moderated by İZİKAD Chair Özden Monkul Erten and featured project mentees Aslı Sicim, Funda Sağlam, Işıl Karaçor Akıncı, Menekşe Kısmet, Özlem Aktaş, Selvin Yeşukan, and Seyhan Kurban, who shared their inspiring entrepreneurial journeys.
The second panel, “Power in Procurement: Growing with Women Entrepreneurs,” was moderated by Şahika Yörükoğlu Aşkıner, Founder of Öz Simge Tekstil and an entrepreneur herself. Speakers included Erhan Karacasulu (Migros Aegean Region Marketing Manager), Öztürk Kurt (General Manager of İZTARIM), Öykü Eke (Sustainability and Social Impact Specialist at Hepsiburada), Pınar Sonsoy (Sales Director at Pazarama), and Selin Nizam (Co-founder of Shopalm).
During the event, women entrepreneurs also had the opportunity to visit the stands of representatives from chain markets, e-commerce platforms, and investors—showcasing their products, initiating potential collaborations, and expanding their business networks.
Thousands of Women Entrepreneurs Supported with Training, Mentorship, and Business Development
Launched in 2021, the WeLead project entered a new phase for 2024–2026, aiming to reach 6,500 women entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs through in-person trainings in all 81 provinces, as well as via an online learning portal and digital platform. Through design-thinking trainings, podcasts, producer meetups, mentorship programs, and inspiration meetings, the project continues to strengthen the communication bridge among women. Additionally, 100 women entrepreneurs who complete the training sessions will receive personalized mentorship from successful women and industry experts in their respective fields.