Updated:
Esas
Esas was founded in 2000 by Şevket Sabancı, a second-generation member of the Sabancı family. The firm operates separately from the main Sabancı Holding...
Esas
Esas was founded in 2000 by Şevket Sabancı, a second-generation member of the Sabancı family. The firm operates separately from the main Sabancı Holding conglomerate while retaining family ownership ties. Emine Sabancı Kamışlı serves as Vice Chairperson and co-founded the Esas Sosyal initiative. Esas deploys capital through buyouts, growth equity and early-stage venture across FinTech, Digital Health, Supply Chain & Logistics, EdTech and Mobility & Transportation. It maintains exposure to real estate via shopping malls and mixed-use assets in Turkey and the United Kingdom. Confirmed positions include Pegasus Airlines and the 2024 acquisition of Flormar from Groupe Rocher. The firm has executed co-investments with Actera Partners, including the UN Ro-Ro transaction. Geographic reach spans Europe, the Middle East & Central Asia, North America and Africa. The firm employs an internal team led by Group CEO Çağatay Özdoğru since 2010. Additional offices support operations in London, Frankfurt and New York. Esas maintains philanthropic structures through Esas Sosyal and maintains ties to the Sabancı Foundation. In 2024 Esas acquired Flormar from Groupe Rocher, expanding its consumer portfolio. Esas maintains a hybrid mandate that combines direct private equity with operating-company oversight through Pegasus Airlines and retail assets. Family principals retain board seats across portfolio companies while the CEO participates in external industry associations including DEIK and TÜSİAD.
General information
Firm type
Single Family Office
Year founded
2000
Location
Region
Asia
Country
Turkey
City
Istanbul
Corporate office
Istanbul, Turkey
Additional offices
London, United Kingdom · Frankfurt, Germany · New York, United States
Principals
Ali İsmail Sabancı
Chairman
Emine Sabancı Kamışlı
Vice Chairperson
Çağatay Özdoğru
Group CEO
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at Esas?
Ali İsmail Sabancı serves as Chairman and Emine Sabancı Kamışlı as Vice Chairperson. Çağatay Özdoğru has acted as Group CEO since 2010.
How does Esas source proprietary deal flow?
The firm leverages family networks within Turkey and relationships built through Pegasus Airlines. It has executed co-investments with Actera Partners on transactions such as UN Ro-Ro.
Does Esas participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?
Esas focuses on direct co-investments and SPVs. It has also deployed into private credit and real estate assets.
What investment stages does Esas typically target?
The firm pursues buyouts, growth equity, expansion and early-stage opportunities including seed and start-up rounds.
Where does the underlying wealth come from?
Esas is backed by members of the Sabancı family who retained shares in Sabancı Holding after stepping back from active duties at the conglomerate.
Does Esas maintain philanthropic structures, and how are they separated?
Esas operates Esas Sosyal as a distinct vehicle. The broader Sabancı family supports the Sabancı Foundation, which maintains separate governance.
What is Esas's known posture on co-investments alongside external GPs?
Esas has completed co-investments with Actera Partners and maintains partnerships through portfolio companies such as Pegasus Airlines.
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
Need institutional-grade insight on family offices?
Altss delivers:
Prefer a guided tour?
We’ll walk you through: