# Founder One

Founder One is an Asset Manager based in Istanbul, Turkey.

## Overview

- **Organization type:** Asset Manager
- **Headquarters:** Istanbul, Turkey
- **Region:** Middle East
- **Address:** Istanbul, Turkey
- **Founded:** 2022
- **Assets under management:** Undisclosed
- **Website:** www.founderone.com
- **LinkedIn:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/founderone

## Regulatory record

- **Reports private funds:** No

## About

Founder One is a venture capital investment fund founded in 2022 in Istanbul, Turkey. It invests in early-stage technology-focused impact startups. The firm has made 29 investments, including a Seed VC investment in Werover on May 28, 2025.

## Sectors

- ClimateTech
- Digital Health
- Education
- Energy Transition & Renewables

## People

- Faruk Eczacıbaşı — Founder and Investment Committee member
- Sina Afra — Founder and Investment Committee member
- Ali Şahin — General Manager and Partner
- Cem Leon Menase — Impact Leader and Partner

## Questions

### Who runs investment decisions at Founder One?

The Investment Committee is composed of co-founders Sina Afra and Faruk Eczacıbaşı. Afra is a serial entrepreneur and Chairman of the Turkish Entrepreneurship Foundation; Eczacıbaşı is Vice Chairman of Eczacıbaşı Holding and Chairman of the Turkish Informatics Foundation. Day-to-day management sits with General Manager Ali Şahin.

### How does Founder One source proprietary deal flow?

The firm leverages the personal networks of its founders and its integration with the Turkish Entrepreneurship Foundation and Turkish Informatics Foundation. These foundations, seeded by the firm's own carry, create a pipeline of early-stage Turkish tech founders. The firm also participates in the local impact investing ecosystem through the Impact Investing Advisory Board (EYDK).

### How is Founder One related to Eczacıbaşı Holding?

Co-founder Faruk Eczacıbaşı serves as Vice Chairman of Eczacıbaşı Holding, a major Turkish industrial group. However, Founder One is a separate legal entity structured as an impact venture capital fund. The relationship is one of personal affiliation, not direct corporate ownership or mandated capital allocation.

### What investment stages does Founder One typically target?

Founder One focuses exclusively on early-stage companies, specifically Seed and Start-up rounds. The firm does not indicate involvement in growth equity, pre-IPO, or later-stage vehicles within its publicly available materials.

## Related profiles

- [Founder Institute](https://altss.com/profile/founder-institute)
- [Founderpath](https://altss.com/profile/founderpath)

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Last updated: 2026-06-03T20:00:00.000Z

Canonical page: https://altss.com/profile/founder-one

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