Panel Discussion on Innovation and Entrepreneurship Was Held

On September 20th, Sabancı University hosted the Panel Discussion on Innovation and Entrepreneurship at SUCool, with the participation of members from the International Advisory Board. During the event, key challenges and opportunities in the fields of entrepreneurship and technology were discussed. The audience had the chance to listen to Omidyar Network Board Member Tolga Kurtoğlu; Retired Vice President of Corning Inc. and Stanford University’s Waguih S. Ishak; Entrepreneur and VC Co-Founder Cem Sertoğlu; and entrepreneur & angel investor François Stieger, in a session moderated by Ziya Alpay, Director of the Sabancı University Innovation and Entrepreneurship Initiative. The speakers shared their extensive experiences with the audience. Key topics included the importance of talent, risk management in scaling companies globally, and balancing innovation with commercial viability.

The Advisory Board Members agreed that talent is one of the most crucial factors for the success of startups. They emphasized the need to identify and nurture talented individuals early in their careers, especially in regions like Europe and Turkey, which have strong technical education systems. The discussion also highlighted the importance of building a strong team, noting that it is people, not just technology, that drive success. The speakers advised entrepreneurs to avoid distractions and prioritize product viability over other activities, stressing the importance of focusing on customer needs and market fit.

Scaling a company globally was another main theme. The members shared insights from their own experiences, discussing the challenges of operating in international markets, securing talent, and managing risks. While emphasizing that success is often reliant on the right people, they also acknowledged the role of luck in this process. Waguih S. Ishak mentioned, “Luck favors prepared minds,” underlining that being equipped to seize opportunities is what truly matters.

The event also discussed the rise of artificial intelligence as a transformative force, encouraging startups to anticipate how this technology will evolve over the coming years, rather than merely reacting to current developments.

In the final segment of the discussion, the board members answered questions from entrepreneurs, aspiring entrepreneurs, and other attendees, offering practical advice. They emphasized the importance of curiosity, continuous learning, and adaptability in succeeding in the rapidly evolving global market. Additionally, fostering a collaborative environment and providing timely feedback to teams were highlighted as critical factors for retaining top talent. Entrepreneurs were encouraged to focus on human factors such as effective communication and customer relations when establishing and scaling their ventures.

The Panel Discussion on Innovation and Entrepreneurship provided valuable guidance for both current and aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly highlighting the importance of managing talent, mitigating risks, and adopting a customer-centric approach in building globally competitive ventures.