Sabancı ARF Almost Ready to Fly is a 20-week acceleration program to support early-stage entrepreneurs on their journey from their current stage to commercialization. Sabancı ARF Almost Ready to Fly is a Hacı Ömer Sabancı Holding A.Ş. brand and program.
Our Group employees and incorporated external entrepreneurs can apply.
(a) To participate in the process as an intra-community entrepreneur, working for the Group or one of its affiliated organizations* is compulsory, and at least one of the two types of calls by the program must be answered: Idea/MVP Call and Team Member Call.
*Except for Akbank, Aklease, Akyatırım, Akportföy, Sabancı Vakfı ve SSM employees
(b) Early-stage (MVP, prototype, lab-scale, or customer validation stage) incorporated entrepreneurs who have a product can be involved in the process.
Being over eighteen is important for the incorporation and further stages. On the other hand, we can consider your previous experiences when evaluating the growth potential of applicants' start-ups.
There is no fee to participate in Sabancı ARF Almost Ready to Fly.
Open call for intra-community entrepreneurs with a product/service solution, idea or a field-tested MVP (minimum viable product) related to the focus areas.
Sabancı Holding issues a call for focus areas two times in a year. The call is only suitable for the employees of the Group or one of its affiliated organizations*. Intra-community Application Form must be filled out on www.sabanciarf.com . After the evaluation of the applications, the chosen ideas are announced on the same platform.
*Except for Akbank, Aklease, Akyatırım, Akportföy, Sabancı Vakfı ve SSM employees
It is a call for intra-community entrepreneurs who do not have a proposed idea, or no idea proposal has been selected but who want to be a part of a different idea team and who trust their entrepreneurial competencies. We want to include all our employees, who have an idea or not, into the system.
Chosen ideas for Sabancı ARF are announced on Sabancı Social to be seen by all Sabancı Group members. Through this call, those who want to be part of the team with selected ideas/MVPs can apply. After team formations, there is no distinction in management or other rights between the persons who suggested the idea or joined the team afterward.
The intra-community entrepreneur who presents the selected concept to the program may send the team member call to the colleague. Team Member Application Form must be filled out on Sabancı Social and only the chosen team members can participate in the team.
In the teaming phase, a 3-step evaluation methodology is used. Innovation Interest and Knowledge, Character Analysis, Teaming Workshop. Applicants will be expected to fill out various online questionnaires to carry out the analysis properly.
(a) Intra-Community Entrepreneur: There will be no harm in applying to the Idea/MVP call alone, and a team will be formed with the Team Member Call.
(b) Incorporated entrepreneur: While evaluating the applications, the competencies and qualifications of the founding partners and the team members are considered. Applying alone can be a disadvantage in your difficult entrepreneurial journey.
If you are not a community employee, your start-up is expected to be incorporated.
No, we will support any idea/product/service that aligns with the application criteria and the focus areas we have disclosed.
Yes, you can apply. On the other hand, we strongly recommend that the founding team have the skills to create their products rather than outsourcing. For most start-ups, this often means a technical founder is needed.
We especially welcome the participation of these start-ups if they are compatible with our focus areas. If you share the areas that you have already improved, we can evaluate your case better. We recommend that you fill out the application form with all the details so that we can clearly describe the areas of support for your commercialization and growth steps.
Yes, you can apply. Please specify this information in the relevant part of the application form.
Yes, you can apply. Please specify this information in the relevant part of the application form.
Funding is simply one component of Sabancı ARF Almost Ready to Fly as an acceleration program. In addition to financing, you can review the support we offer and the process to explore how you can benefit from the program.
(a) Intra-Community Entrepreneur: A team is formed with the Team Member Call for the projects of those who propose ideas to the program. In this call, the selected idea/MVP proposal is announced on Sabancı Social with details. As we constantly say, “Idea has no use without putting it into practice.” As Sabancı ARF, we strive to give you with all the support you need to put your concept into action and commercialize it. The value will be created once it is commercialized.
While it is less probable that you came up with an idea concentrated around a problem area on your own, we boost your chances of putting it into action.
(b) Incorporated Entrepreneur: Application forms are evaluated by the jury who signed a confidentiality agreement.
Internal and external entrepreneurs can apply for Sabancı ARF Almost Ready to Fly with multiple ideas in different rounds; there is no limit.
However, we want a selected entrepreneur to focus on a single idea within the same round. Our aim is to commercialize the idea, and we believe this can only happen with a holistic focus and dedication.
Internal and external entrepreneurs can apply for Sabancı ARFAlmost Ready to Fly with multiple ideas in different rounds, there is no limit.
The planning process is ongoing. When the dates are set, the information will be available on ourwebsite. Please continue to follow us.
(a) Intra-community entrepreneur:
Ideas received after the idea/MVP call is evaluated according to the following criteria;
(b) Incorporated entrepreneur:
The following criteria are considered in the evaluation of incorporated entrepreneurs.
The founders are expected to be among the participants of the program specified in the application. It is critical for the process's efficiency that the founding partners participate in Sabancı ARF, make decisions and progress.
Evaluation and selection process is conducted by Sabancı ARF Almost Ready to Fly team, Sabancı Holding and Group Company senior executives.
Entrepreneurs can apply by completing the application form. During the selection process, one-on-one one-hour interviews are conducted with the startups who fit the requirements.
(A) Idea Stage: Intra-community entrepreneurs will learn from experienced professionals how to implement a product/service or business model from the ground up during the acceleration program that will last approximately 20 weeks.
(B) MVP/Pretotype Stage: At this stage, intra-community entrepreneurs will also work with experienced consultants to design sustainable business models by focusing on the customer and the problem.
Team members (A or B) will work part-time (2 days per week) for the first five weeks and full-time for the following fifteen weeks.
The "Entrepreneurial Health Screening" will take place in the tenth week of the twenty-week program. All project teams are asked to describe where they came from, what they want to do, and where they want to go during the Entrepreneurial Health Screening week. In this approach, we hope that entrepreneurs would benefit experience from experts outside the program. Meetings will be conducted by the Sabancı ARF team and consultants inside and outside the Group equipped with technical and entrepreneurial background.
After successful trials within the budget provided during the 20 weeks, the project teams will present the Jury (The Jury) and ask for the final investment. At the Final Day, following the final presentation of the entrepreneurs, the jury has three choice alternatives:
1. Investment decision,
2. Internal development of the product/service within the Group Companies and the right to be in the product team or to provide support to the team for the entrepreneurs,
3. Intra-community entrepreneurs who cannot get investment or internal development decisions from the jury to return to their current positions in their own companies with this unique experience.
Acceleration program will be started after the entrepreneurs are chosen.
During this first acceleration, they receive support and mentorship, depending on what stage they are in, by working with consultants who are experts in their fields. In addition to this consultancy, group employees can benefit from the support to be received from experts and the resources of the group, such as networks and places, by obtaining preliminary permissions from the person or groups responsible.
Depending on the problem area and the stage of the product/service, the entrepreneurs might be matched with a group company. If the matching occurs, the group company mentor will coordinate field research, application area identification, and action.
The "Entrepreneurial Health Screening" will take place in the tenth week of the twenty-week program. All project teams are asked to describe where they came from, what they want to do, and where they want to go during the Entrepreneurial Health Screening week. In this approach, we hope that entrepreneurs would benefit experience from experts outside the program. Meetings will be conducted by the Sabancı ARF team and consultants inside and outside the Group equipped with technical and entrepreneurial background.
After successful trials with the budget provided during 20-weeks, the project teams will present to the Jury (The Jury) and ask for the final investment.
Testing business models, lean entrepreneurship methods, market research and customer development, business models, revenue models, target market and positioning, general marketing training, digital & performance marketing training, team building & management, basic finance & accounting, unit economics, sales and investment presentation preparation, presentation techniques and other regular trainings and mentorship sessions according to the needs of entrepreneurs will be organized.
They will have a budget of up to $30,000 to test pretotypes and prototypes over a 20-week period.
During the 20 weeks, open office area will be provided at Sabancı Center 4 Levent, İstanbul.
Entrepreneurs will be able to receive support and mentorship, depending on the stage they are in, by working with expert consultants within the scope of the acceleration program.
Utilization of the facilities or capabilities of the Group Companies that may be relevant for the prototype testing or commercialization activities of the idea or product/service will be possible.
At the end of the program, investment will be made depending on the decision of the Jury. If an investment decision is made after the investor presentations, each entrepreneurial company can be invested up to $150,000, including the cash value provided throughout the process, based on the conditions and valuation at that time.
For an additional investment opportunity, Sabancı Ventures will be introduced to entrepreneurs at the end of the program.
The funds provided in the program are explained in detail on the website. If you need support above this and within the framework of a different cooperation, we are open to different options.
If you need support in the stages of strategic partnership or joint R&D activities, new product/service development, please explain this situation in detail in the application form. It is possible to meet with Sabancı Group companies and Sabancı Ventures teams. What will be necessary for us to describe in which areas and how we can support you is to convey your needs clearly.
(a)Intra-Community Entrepreneur:
Investment amount with the decision of the jury; up to $150,000, including the cash value provided throughout the process. The amount of investment is determined by parameters such as firm value, start-up status, and the founders' competence. Team members will be the main partners of the company to be established, and Sabancı ARF will have a minority share.
(b) Incorporated Entrepreneur:
Within the scope of the cash and non-cash values package provided during the 20-week program, the Entrepreneur company commits to transfer 3% of the company shares to Sabancı Holding.
In addition to that, regarding the final presentations, an opportunity of $150.000 funding will exist with respect to the valuation based on current circumstances and valuations. In this case, share of Sabancı Holding will increase to 6%.
(c) Entrepreneur Placement:
There may be different options in these call and process projects. The details of this process will be announced with the "Entrepreneur Placement" Call and the communication will be made separately with the applicants and those involved in the process.
Teams from different cities do not have to work in a co-working space. However, once in two weeks, teams must work with teammates and Sabancı ARF Almost Ready to Fly team. In addition, team members must come to the central office for face-to-face seminars, community meetings, and Committee and Jury presentations.
After the Jury declaration of the investment decision, the Sabancı ARF Almost Ready to Fly team will reach you in ten days and inform you about the process and expectations.
Independent from the final decision given by the Jury, participants will become representatives. It will be requested to leave the open office area at Sabancı Center. Sabancı ARF Almost Ready to Fly will continue to support entrepreneurs with mentorship, growth strategy, and introduction to the funds, including Sabancı Ventures. So, you will have the support of the mentor that you have worked with during the program.
Group company employees that have participated in Sabancı ARF will become representatives of the program. These alumni will participate in other innovation projects in different roles (mentor, leader, team member, idea-owner, etc.).
Alumni of the program, independent of the investment decision, will be part of our community to act as mentors and share their experiences.
