‘Turkey can become region leader in digital economy’

ISTANBUL - Radikal

Zennström (2nd R) has attended a dinner party given by Hanzade Doğan Boyner (4th L) and met figures from Turkish firms.

Turkey has the potential to be the regional leader in the world’s digital economy, said Niklas Zennström, chief executive officer of the London-based international venture firm Atomico.

Atomico wants to make investments in Turkey, Zennström said at a dinner party Sept. 13 given by Hanzade Doğan Boyner, the Doğan Online founder and chair, and her spouse Osman Boyner, chairman of BD Automotive.

“We, as Atomico, believe that Turkey, which has the potential to become a regional leader in the digital economy, will be a regional technology hub. We will help some firms in our portfolio become active in Turkey,” he said, adding that Turkey is an exciting market for all the firms in Atomico’s portfolio.

Swedish entrepreneur, Zennström, is known for creating Skype, an innovative internet technology that allows users to make phone and video calls and send instant messages over the internet. Zennström’s Atomico invested in more than 50 innovative internet ventures including Rovio, Jawbone, Fab, Wrapp and Klarna.

Zennström has come to Istanbul to attend events organized as part of Atomico’s Global Open Office activity. The activity aims to bring internet entrepreneurs and public officials together. The company and Istanbul Bilgi University had also jointly organized a panel discussion on entrepreneurship and innovation on Sept. 13. Atomico aims to introduce firms in its portfolio to the Turkish market.

“We have been active in Turkey for one year. We have not made any investment there yet. We are mostly interested in technology firms. We want to make investments there. We, as Atomico, are after the next big thing,” he said at the event organized by Boyner.

Doğan TV Chairwoman Arzuhan Doğan Yalçındağ, Doğan Holding Chairwoman Begümhan Doğan Faralyalı, Hürriyet Gazetecilik Chairwoman Vuslat Doğan Sabancı, Vodafone Turkey Executive Board Director Serpil Timuray, Denizbank General Manager Hakan Ateş and Garanti Bank General Manager Ergun Özen were among the dinner’s attendees.