Sustainable Growth Program implemented in collaboration with HSBC Turkey is going on with all excitement. On our first meetup we explored the issue of "Zero Waste Living". SGP is a 6-month acceleration program for social entrepreneurs aiming to make an impact for the world and business in general. It supports startups with grants, training and mentorship, office to work, and business networking. Our training and mentorship sessions are going on with the participation of our rockstar mentors. In this journey that we aim to support social entrepreneurs, we have been involved in 5 selected startups’ processes.

As starting our program with Kickoff event yesterday, Selim Kervancı General Manager at @HSBC_TR , @ozandiren Vice Chairman of @turkonfed BOD and @sadeceka Founder at @hackquarters were with us to talk on how to support sustainability projects in Turkey and the globe.👍 pic.twitter.com/txo8a43YaB

— Hackquarters (@hackquarters) February 12, 2020

Sustainable Growth Program Kickoff Event

Aiming to increase the impact and awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals and challenges, four meetups have been organized during the program. In this regard, the first meetup on Zero Waste was organized Impact Hub Istanbul on 24 January 2020.[/lead][lead]The meetup started with Sabina Babayeva, Hackquarters COO, speaking about wastefulness and an institutional approach to the problem.

Sabina Babayeva delivering her speech

After Sabina’s speech, Co-Founder of Impact Hub Istanbul, Semih Boyacı was on the stage.

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Co-Founder of Impact Hub Istanbul, Semih Boyacı[/caption]Impact Hub Istanbul achieves great works by conducting projects covering Sustainable Development Goals. İsmail Boyacı shared the journey of Impact Hub Istanbul and the startups that create an impact on the social areas.

How to Recycle Waste

Afterwards, our panel started with the moderation of our mentor Meriç Bıçakçıoğlu and the participation of Olcay Silahlı, founder of the Fazla Gıda which provides a waste recycling system.

Meriç Bıçakçıoğlu and Olcay Silahlı[/caption]Olcay Silahlı focused on the challenges they have faced in the beginning of Fazla Gıda. After that, he gave very important advice to social entrepreneurs and to those who want to be a social entrepreneur.

Social enterprises should have at least a business model as effective as other startups without waiting for a favor!

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Ömer Akdağ, Atık Nakit[/caption]Then, Atık Nakit founder Ömer Akdağ was with us during the meetup. He presented waste management statistics and the solutions for waste management. He also talked about the journey of Atık Nakit and its goals.

Ayşe Yılmaz, Ottan Studio[/caption]Also, we had a chance to listen to the founder of Ottan Studio -which produces colored composite materials consisting of at least 50% of vegetable waste - Ayşe Yılmaz. She talked about the future of Bio-Compote and its impact on sustainability.

Workshop by Mana and Mumo[/caption]It is important to mention the workshop by Mana and Mumo, two startups accepted for the Sustainable Growth Program. They also showcased their products and gave insights about the manufacturing process.