Success in the world of entrepreneurship is not just about having a good idea, but about making that idea scalable, sustainable, and investable. At this point, investors are the actors who recognize a startup’s potential at the earliest stage, offering not only capital but also strategic insight and guidance. So what do investors look for in a successful startup? Which Türkiye startups have stood out by meeting these criteria? In this article, we examine the formula for success in entrepreneurship from an investor’s perspective.

What Do Investors Look For?

The key elements that make a venture attractive to investors can be summarized under the following headings:

1. Team Quality

• Investors focus on the competence, compatibility, and vision of the founding team before the idea itself.
• The prevailing understanding is that “a good team can turn a bad idea into a success, but a bad team can ruin a good idea.”

2. Market Size

• The size, accessibility, and growth potential of the market the solution addresses are fundamental evaluation criteria.
• The goal is to target a broad market, not a small niche.

3. Scalability and Technology Focus

• Technology-enabled business models are more attractive to investors because they promise high growth at low cost.
• Areas such as SaaS (Software as a Service), artificial intelligence, fintech, and gaming are on investors’ radar.

4. Innovation and Competitive Advantage

• The idea is expected to have a unique value proposition (UVP) that sets it apart from its competitors.
• Factors such as non-replicability, patents, and user loyalty are important.

5. Financial and Operational Discipline

• Investors want to see not only good ideas but also well-managed business models.
• Criteria such as KPI tracking, revenue projections, and customer acquisition costs are scrutinized meticulously.

Successful Startup Examples: Case Studies from Türkiye

Peak Games

• Industry: Mobile gaming
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• From an Investor’s Perspective: Rapid scalability, international market dominance, and a strong team.
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• Exit: Sold to Zynga for $1.8 billion in 2020. It became Türkiye’s first unicorn.

 Insider

• Industry: SaaS / Marketing Technologies
• From an Investor’s Perspective: AI-powered, high customer retention rate, and global growth strategy.
• Status: Achieved unicorn status in 2022. Operates in over 25 countries.

 Trendyol

• Industry: E-commerce
• From an investor’s perspective: Logistics infrastructure, user data-driven decision-making structure, and synergy with Chinese partner Alibaba.
• Status: In 2021, it became Türkiye’s largest technology startup with a valuation of $16.5 billion.

Getir

• Industry:Fast delivery / Q-Commerce
• From an investor’s perspective:Innovative service model, operational agility, aggressive global expansion strategy.
• Status: Reached billion-dollar valuations by expanding into the European market.

Investors’ Changing Trends

Investors are now focusing not only on growth but also on impactful and sustainable ventures. As of 2024:

• ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) criteria compliance is becoming a key factor in investment decisions.
• Women entrepreneurs are receiving more support from funds that promote diversity.
• Startups in secondary cities (e.g., Denizli, Kayseri, Samsun) are on the radar of regional funds.
• Areas such as deep tech, green technology, and biotechnology are among the rising sectors.

Advice for Entrepreneurs

Some basic recommendations for entrepreneurs who want to appear “appealing” to investors:

• Present your solution, not just your idea.
• Test quickly and speak with data.
• Seek mentorship and look for investment at the right time.
• Focus on building relationships, not just making presentations.
• View investors not just as a source of funds, but as strategic partners.

Investors approach a startup not just as a financial investment but as a strategic partnership. Therefore, a successful startup should inspire confidence, vision, and potential in the investor’s eyes. Examples from Türkiye show that creating world-class startups is no longer just a dream. Entrepreneurs can grow with the right strategy and strong partnerships; investors, meanwhile, take their place as the most critical companions on this journey.