Oleka Capital

Oleka Capital is an investment firm that partners with high-growth scale-ups, focusing on transforming them into mature businesses. The firm provides flexible capital, including growth capital and larger single-asset funds, and engages in strategic partnerships, actively helping its portfolio companies. Oleka Capital maintains a concentrated portfolio and is highly selective, emphasizing a partnership approach over merely investing. The firm primarily focuses on the Turkish market, addressing a notable gap in growth-stage investment, and extends its reach to other European markets.

Founded in 2018, Oleka Capital was established by a team of experienced professionals, including Managing Partners İlker Sözdinler, Emrah Silav, and İhsan Elgin. The firm's inception was driven by the recognition of a significant need for ambitious founders in the Turkish market to scale their businesses into mature companies, particularly in the growth investment stage. The founders brought diverse backgrounds to the firm, aiming to fill this market gap with strategic support and flexible capital.

Oleka Capital has made several notable investments across various sectors. Its portfolio includes companies such as EasyCep, operating in the specialty retail industry, Onlayer, a network management software provider, and Zen Educate, which is in human capital services. The firm also participated in a €10 million Series A funding round for wamo, an AI-based fintech company focused on SME financial platforms, supporting its expansion in Italy and the Nordic region.

The team at Oleka Capital comprises seasoned professionals with extensive experience in founding, leading, investing in, and exiting businesses. Managing Partner İlker Sözdinler is the founder and former CEO of United Payment, a company he scaled across seven markets before its exit. Emrah Silav, also a Managing Partner, served as Chairman of United Payment and previously led investments at a prominent Turkish pension fund. İhsan Elgin, another Managing Partner, is an Executive Board Member at Finberg, Fibabanka's venture capital arm, and a co-founder of Fintech Istanbul. The team also includes Emir Bölen, Managing Director with US-based VC experience, and Can Ergelmiş, Investment and Strategy Director with a background in tech-driven growth at companies like Amazon and Hepsiburada. Derin Koçer serves as a Business Analyst, bringing policy and communications expertise.