#workup

It feels like we start every blog about Isbank the same way, but the thing is we like their team, their investment into the startup ecosystem and entrepreneurs within Workup network. Even if we do not directly contribute to the program anymore with the 4th batch startups, as always, we help any startup in our network, in any way we can.

Recently, Workup program had their 4th batch of startups graduated. Like the previous batches of Workup, 4th batch accepted good startups and graduated great ones. On demo day, there were 11 startups on stage: Alivex, Devfolio, Givin, Gmply, Grabono, Juphy, OtoParlat, Pcichecklist, Securezi, Sertifier, Tolkido.

Startups in Workup 4th batch

Alivex is a tech partner for organizers on outdoor and healthy lifestyle activities,

Devfolio allows developers to create their portfolio website easily with pre-built templates and integrations,

Givin is a social startup that allows you to either donate stuff to sell, or buy things to support education of underpriviliged, stray animals or NGOs,

Gmply is an online education platform that allows trainers to create interactive videos,

Grabono is a loyalty program app with rewarding gamification options,

Juphy is a social platform that allows you to manage your accounts in one place,

OtoParlat is an app that allows you to order waterless car wash to the location your car is,

Pcichecklist checks if any website have the requirements for PCI-DSS authorization,

Securezi is an easy to use, affordable smart security system to protect and watch your home remotely,

Sertifier is an easy tool to design, send, store and verify smart certificates,

Tolkido produces interactive educational material for children with autism.

About Workup by Isbank

Started in 2017, Workup by Isbank has accepted more than 40 startups in 4 batches. 26 of 29 previously graduated startups are still running.

As taught in Turkish schools from elementary to high school, Turkey has fertile lands which makes it possible for our farmers to grow various types of food. But in reality, countries like the Netherlands make use of their agriculture technologies to achieve great efficiency. That’s why we love to see more agrotech startups from Turkey.

Gugagon is an agrotech company as you can guess. They are producing olives and chickpeas, which are both important part of traditional Turkish cuisine, in a completely new way.

You can find more detailed info about Gugagon from Turkey in the following sections, with their founders’ own words.

You can always apply for Startup Spotlight from this link. We will also include you into our network and you will be notified about our upcoming events, calls for programs and get exclusive invites.

What is the name of your startup?

Gugagon

What is the website address of Gugagon?

https://www.gugagon.com

Where is your startup based?

Turkey

What are your targeted verticals for your startup?

Agriculture, Food Production

Tell us what your startup does.

Gugagon is producing healthy innovative crispy olives and chickpeas with innovative drying process. Gugagon’s crispy chickpeas are disruptive for leblebi market which has same production technology over 600 years.

Tell us about your team.

Önder Güzel, MSc Food Engineer, >13 years R&D and production experience in food industry. Completed 3 Tubitak Project (process and formulation).

When and why did you found your startup?

Our daughter born in 2011, had allergic reactions to some foods. In 2015 I made a laboratory in one of our room at home and I started to design crispy snacks which she can consume and enjoy them. In 2016 I started to apply patent applications and in 2018 Gugagon was founded.

What are your key and unique features?

Our drying method (microwave vacuum drying) is the fastest and the most efficient drying method based on literature. We have patent applications and unique products.

What is your growth like?

Gugagon’s sales is increasing every month by it is getting better known in market.

Tell us about the numbers that matter to you.

According to 2014 figures there are 21 billion TL worth of nuts market in Turkey. We target leblebi market for chickpea products and at least 10% share in white chickpea market of 60 million TL. For the crispy olive products also if we reach a share of the tens of thousands of olives consumed in Turkey, we will be created a market of 2 million TL.

What are your plans for next year and the next 5 years?

Now we have pilot plant and we need investment for industrial production. Our projection (for nex and next 5 years) is getting investment and convert it to increase in sale. We have new product concepts in our wallet.

Did you receive any investments?

No

Tell us 3 startups that excite you, and why?

For the last few months, we were largely focused on our new accelerator with Visa, on fintech, called Visa Innovation Program. Details such as creating a new workspace and handling program flow is fun, but the best part is choosing startups among hundreds of applications.

Our program has begun with a kick-off event at Kolektif House Levent, on May 17th 2019. It was a busy, yet fun event for Hackquarters and Visa teams, as the interest in event was great with attendance from the press, fintech & finance professionals from various companies and startups.

Opening Remarks from Visa & Hackquarters

For the opening speech of Visa Innovation Program, Merve Tezel (General Manager, Turkey / Visa Europe) was on stage. Tezel said that their main objective with Visa Innovation Program is to create a bridge between the payment ecosystem and fintech startups. “We will help card payment market grow and help fintech startups grow with our network of more than 200 countries by guiding them on expanding their local solutions, globally. ” said Merve Tezel.

Then Hackquarters founder & CEO, Kaan Akın, was on stage. Kaan Akın told the audience about Hackquarters, what we have accomplished over the years and more about our partnership with global companies, such as Visa. Akın said “Our selected startups will attend our tailormade courses on topics such as Lean Startup Human Centric Design, Data Security and Regulation. Our startups will get the chance to work in the same office with Hackquarters team and will get commercialization support, while regularly getting mentorship from our experts.”

After opening speeches from Merve Tezel and Kaan Akın, our keynote speaker, Hristo Borisov (CEO / Payhawk), was on stage about his experience as a fintech startup, working with Visa. Then we had 2 great panels titled “Riding the Fintech Wave” and “Women in Fintech”.

Selected startups for Visa Innovation Program

Masraff (Expense Management): Masraff is an AI-supported system which removes all the hassle from expense management. You just need to take a clear photo of the invoice and AI does its magic afterwards, so you can have more time for stuff that really matters.

Global Miles (Loyalty Program for Frequent Flyers): Global Miles is a Blockchain platform enabling the miles distributed across the world for frequent flyers and airlines which can be used and managed by a mobile application.

Glocalzone (Peer to Peer Delivery): Glocalzone is a peer to peer delivery platform that helps you reach any product from any place via travellers. You can search for travellers from anywhere in the world, to anywhere in the world and provide shipping via people, like you.

Kobaküs (Account Management API): Kobaküs provides an all-in-one API for different platforms. With Kobakus you can view, report and track all your bank accounts together, on one platform and at the same time.

Manim (Multibank Aggregation Platform): Manim lets you integrate your ERP systems with your banks securely. You can track your different products, financial actions and banks easily and manage them on a single platform.

You can get more information about Visa Innovation Program on our website (https://hackquarters.co/visa/) and follow @hackquarters on social media.

You can watch our full event below.

About Visa Innovation Program

Visa Innovation Program is a 6 month accelerator program for Fintech startups in Turkey, powered by Hackquarters.

We are looking for gamechangers… New and creative ways to reshape the payment experience for anyone, anywhere.