WomenUp: Where bravery starts monetizing

November 11, 2022

WomenUp WomenUp WomenUp ! This platform is nothing, but action and thrive. WomenUp, feat. by Hackquarters, is a platform for women professionals to test and try new things, they had never did before.

First started in 2018, WomenUp changed its format after covid lockdown, when we all had a chance to look inside ourselves; and come back to our needs and feelings. The rate of online courses and career-development programs increased immensely during that period. And for me, as well, it was a period when the prospects became more clear. And, organically, WomenUp transformed together with us, shifting from just an event series for women entrepreneurs to something different.

WomenUp is now an environment where women can be vulnerable and relaxed enough to share their experiences and goals. An environment where female entrepreneurs, investors, corporate executives, business owners, consultants and freelancers can find mentors, partners, investors, and just people who share the same needs and have the same questions.

The topic selected for the 09 November 2022 program is Dare to Start Investing. According to global numbers ratio among investors is 76% male to 24% female. In this men-dominated ecosystem, though, in impact investment firms, 38% of top managers are women. Historically females are more likely to be caregivers, passing the connection sthrough ourselves on a more emotional level, especially when this connection is related to money. The same counts for crypto and bonds. Women still prefer to invest in gold and bank deposits than stocks and technology. Some might say it is related to the fact that while investing, people want to see similar people (women want to see women) driven by the same mission. However, I truly believe it is more about information. Women are less than men open to sharing and asking questions about financials. How many women are afraid to ask questions, afraid to raise hands, because they simply don’t want to be the only one who doesn’t understand, the only one who still didn’t do it? We are still vulnerable while talking about our money.

So, we decided to start with Arya Women Investment Platform, aiming to create success stories and showcasing women entrepreneurs contributing to the economy. Ozlem Tumer Eke, General Partner, Arya Ventures; and Investment Director, Arya Women and Idil Dorsan, Corporate Communication Lead, Visa, briefed about the major steps of becoming an investor. Idil, a first-time investor, shared her story of how she decided to invest, the fear and courage behind that. Ozlem and Idil answered the questions coming from the women in the audience, i.e. ticket size to invest for the first time, when to expect the return of investment and outlined the advantages of joining Arya Investor Academy before daring to invest.

Following the topic of investing in startups, Ege Ertez, Co-Founder of Yancep, presented another option for micro-investing. Yancep, alumni of Visa Innovation Program Turkey 2022, is a new-gen asset management platform; the easiest way to start investing is by using application-generated portfolio recommendations and indicating amounts by yourself, even with small money.

Caring about financials and trying to make them work for our growth is great, but how about not forgetting that we are still women who care about preserving passion and emotions? Nil Keskin, Co-Founder of Goddess, women empowerment and well-being application, is one big energy ball full of inspiration and passion for life. It was not just a women empowerment session but a Feminine Transformationtherapy to unveil the inner potential of every woman and the purpose of life, both professional and personal.

More in upcoming #WomenUp events. We, at Hackquarters are driven by the mission of making all ecosystem players grow and shine. For all who support women startup ecosystem it is about #shineup even more together. Thank you all for joining and contributing.

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