CIU Startup Studio Pitch Battle II: Entrepreneurs Faced the Jury and Met Investors!

Organized by CIU Startup Studio, one of the key partners of the GoBIG Program, Pitch Battle II took place on May 8, 2025, at the Çevik Uraz Conference Hall. The event featured nine promising startups that were selected after a pre-evaluation phase, giving them the opportunity to pitch their ideas to an expert jury panel.

In true pitch battle format, each team had 5 minutes time to present their startup, followed by a Q&A session where the jury asked targeted questions. The evaluation criteria included team capacity, problem-solution fit, market potential, business model strength, vision, and social impact.

The jury panel consisted of: Murat Küçükyılmaz – CEO, KKTCELL, Aytaç Yenal – Chief Commercial Counsellor, Turkish Embassy, Ebru Kaptan Sertoğlu – Director, Investment and Development Agency, Levent Çağdal – Director, Halsons Holding and Derin Yeşilada – Director, Metgin Ltd.

Based on jury evaluations, the top-ranked startups were:

1st Prize: Claridad

2nd Prize: Lootbag Studios

3rd Prize: Napan Games and MedEuphoria (tied for third place)

In addition to presenting their ideas, participating entrepreneurs also had the chance to connect directly with investors, corporate representatives, and potential mentors throughout the day. These interactions not only increased visibility for the startups but also enabled them to receive strategic feedback to refine their business models.

Pitch Battle II served as a key milestone in advancing the goals of the GoBIG Program — promoting a vibrant entrepreneurial culture and supporting the next generation of innovative startups in the region.