Etohum applications started
Applications and interviews for the 2011 – 2012 Etohum period started in August. Interviews with entrepreneurs who apply until December 31st, 2011 will commence in the following days. First applicants to Etohum have the opportunity to be evaluated first. It should be kept in mind that there is a very short amount of time to be spent with those who apply in late December.
All Etohum applicants are valuable for us. Hence we do not reject any candidate. We just want to talk face to face with candidates who are more suited to our investment criteria and we get in touch with them. Besides, we find the opportunity to spend more time with entrepreneurs who attend the biweekly etohum café meetings and monthly etohum camps. Etohum is not a contest. Thus, it is an important criterion for the entrepreneurs to display their entrepreneurship skills.
During the 2010 – 2011 time frame, the Etohum fund along with 18 angel investors made investments to Pembepanjur.com and Gideros Mobile. In the following year we are planning to increase this number and either be a partner to or find investments for all the candidates selected to Etohum 40. To this end, we are continuously striving to increase the investment fund and include more investors into our ecosystem. We will give more detailed information to you about this issue in the following months.
In Etohum applications we analyze projects at idea stage along with incorporated projects that have reached a certain turnover. The investors can sometimes be more interested in incorporated projects that have started issuing invoices. This should not demotivate applicants with strong ideas; however it should enforce them to bring their ideas to a demo / beta stage.
Ventures may be ecommerce, game, mobile, software and all projects that fit in the new economy concept. It is estimated that in the following years the usage of internet and mobile devices will increase in Turkey. Thus, there are opportunities for many sectors. We are positive about the Turkish adaptations of projects which have become successful abroad. We do not have such prejudices. No matter how creative the idea is, the most important factor for the investors is the team. Besides, the scalability and market size data for the project are points that should be taken into consideration along with the team.
Planned Etohum Process for August 2011 – February 2012
The selection process of Etohum will continue from August 2011– December 2011. Between the months of August – December Etohum meetings and etohum camps will be organized especially in Istanbul along with Ankara and Izmir.
After online applications are taken, the selection process of the right candidates will continue between August – December 2011 by face to face interviews, telephone / video interviews, e-mail and other methods.
In January 2012, the short listed Etohum 40 candidates will be selected and the applicants will be informed.
On January 7th, 2012 Saturday, communication with investors training will be given to the Etohum 40 ventures.
During the January 14th – 15th, 2012 weekend, Etohum 40 candidates will make their short presentations to Etohum angel investors.
On January 28th, 2011 Saturday, Etohum 15 internet ventures selected for investment will be announced during the weekend meeting.
Between February 15th – 19th, 2012 Etohum Antalya Investor – Entrepreneur camp will be held together with Etohum ventures of the last year and those that are selected this year.