Mentors
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Mentors share their experience in product development, business modeling, and growth strategies. They support entrepreneurs in decision-making and in creating sustainable roadmaps.
ABOUT LONCA
A Center that Strengthens the Entrepreneurship Ecosystem
It is an ecosystem platform that guides entrepreneurs in growing their ventures.
Lonca is a center where entrepreneurs develop their ideas and connect with investors.
Lonca is an entrepreneurship center that aims to ensure the sustainable growth of technology-focused startups, help them build corporate collaborations, and strengthen their scaling journey. It was established in 2017 by Kuveyt Türk Participation Bank.
While providing the most suitable working environment for your projects and the necessary trainings to help you develop your project on the right strategies, it also enables you to bring your project to life with dedicated mentors and advisors for each entrepreneur. In addition, through various events, it allows entrepreneurs to come together both with fellow founders and with the wider ecosystem they may need.
In doing so, Lonca not only opens up the 30+ years of banking experience of its founder Kuveyt Türk to entrepreneurs across all its channels, but also offers collaboration opportunities with institutions that are of great importance for startups.
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Program Approach of Lonca Entrepreneurship Center
The Lonca program aims to provide the strategic support that technology startups need from the idea stage through to the scaling phase. Startups work together with mentors, industry professionals, and business partners to develop their products, strengthen their business models, and move into the market with greater confidence.
Lonca Mentorship System
FinTech and Banking Professionals
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They share their experience in areas such as financial technologies, banking processes, regulations, and collaboration models. They help startups develop sector-compatible products, refine their value propositions for financial institutions, and build effective go-to-market and partnership strategies.
Advisors (Legal, Accounting, Finance, Technology, etc.)
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They provide specialized guidance in areas such as law, accounting, finance, and technology. They help startups establish compliant and robust company structures, manage financial processes correctly, protect intellectual property, and build scalable and secure technical infrastructures.
Past Cohort Entrepreneurs
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They share their real-life experiences about product development, business modeling, fundraising, and growth. By passing on lessons learned and best practices, they help new startups avoid common pitfalls, make faster decisions, and progress more confidently in their entrepreneurial journey.
Investors
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They provide insights on investment readiness, fundraising strategies, and valuation. By sharing their expectations and evaluation criteria, they help startups refine their business models, prepare compelling pitches, and position themselves better for potential investments.
Experts
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They share their deep expertise in specific domains (such as marketing, growth, product, data, or technology). By offering practical and up-to-date knowledge, they help startups solve complex problems, optimize their operations, and accelerate their growth in their focus areas.
Focus Areas
Lonca focuses on startups that develop technology-driven and scalable business models.
FinTech
Technology startups developing payment systems, digital banking, open banking, and financial infrastructures.
Artificial Intelligence
Startups developing innovative technology solutions based on data analytics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.
Digital Products
Startups developing scalable digital products such as SaaS, mobile applications, and platform-based solutions.
Selection Criteria
Innovation and a strong team structure are key evaluation criteria for startups applying to the Lonca program.
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Having an innovative and scalable business idea
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Meeting a specific market need with the solution
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Having a product or prototype in the development stage
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Having a strong and motivated team structure
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Presenting a business model with high growth potential
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lonca?
Lonca is an entrepreneurship center established in 2017 by Kuveyt Türk Participation Bank to support the growth and scaling journeys of startups with technology-driven and scalable business models. The program is designed to help ventures refine their business models, establish corporate partnerships, and build sustainable structures.
Lonca provides an optimal working environment for your startup, along with the trainings needed to develop your project on the right strategic foundations. In addition, it contributes to the development of your venture through tailored mentoring and advisory support. Through various events, it enables entrepreneurs to connect both with like‑minded founders and with the broader ecosystem they may need.
In doing so, Lonca not only opens up Kuveyt Türk’s 30+ years of banking experience to entrepreneurs across all its channels, but also offers collaboration opportunities with institutions that hold strategic importance for startups.
Who Can Apply?
Regardless of the industry in which they operate, startups with a technology-based and scalable business model may apply to Lonca. Ventures that have launched their product or service, reached a certain level of maturity, and are focused on growth are considered suitable for the application process.
For the application, click here.
When can I apply?
Applications to Lonca are accepted throughout the year. Evaluation and admission processes are carried out on a cohort basis, and eligible startups are included in the relevant term. You can apply to the program by completing the continuously open form available on our application page.
In addition, you can follow us on our social media accounts to stay informed about the latest developments at Lonca
Where are you located?
Lonca carries out all its activities at the office located at the address below:
Address: Fulya Mahallesi, Büyükdere Caddesi No: 42–46, Doğuş Han, Floor 1, Şişli / Istanbul
How and to whom is the grant of up to 300,000 TL provided?
Each startup accepted into the Lonca program is allocated a cash grant budget of 250,000 TL. In addition, entrepreneurs engaged in R&D activities are provided with an extra 50,000 TL to be used in their operations.
The 250,000 TL grant is disbursed to startups in 4 installments as outlined below:
50,000 TL at the start of the program
100,000 TL at the end of the 3rd month for startups that actively participate in program activities
50,000 TL for teams that produce the expected deliverables at the required quality during the training and consultancy phases
50,000 TL for startups that meet the predefined KPIs and earn the right to present at Demoday by developing at least a “sales-ready” product
Are we required to issue or submit invoices in order to receive the grant?
There is no requirement to issue or submit invoices in order to receive the grant.
Grants are paid in cash and transferred directly to the bank accounts of our entrepreneurs.
Is there a fee for Lonca? Do you ask for equity?
No. Lonca does not request any fees, equity, or options from entrepreneurs in return for the grants and other forms of support provided.
Can we use Kuveyt Türk’s APIs?
Lonca startups that wish to use Financial APIs in their projects can access and use all available Kuveyt Türk APIs in a test environment under the mentorship of the Kuveyt Türk API team, and may also request the activation of new APIs in line with their needs.
For more information on the API support offered by Kuveyt Türk, you can visit the Kuveyt Türk API Market page.
Lonca: From Past to Present
Lonca Entrepreneurship Center was established in 2017 by Kuveyt Türk Participation Bank to enable entrepreneurs with technology-oriented, scalable business ideas to transform their projects into commercially viable activities rapidly and within a sustainable model.
Lonca Entrepreneurship Center was established in 2017 by Kuveyt Türk Participation Bank to enable entrepreneurs with technology‑driven, scalable business ideas to rapidly transform their project concepts into commercial activities within a sustainable business model.
Lonca Entrepreneurship Center was established in 2017 by Kuveyt Türk Participation Bank to enable entrepreneurs with technology‑driven, scalable business ideas to rapidly transform their project concepts into commercial activities within a sustainable business model.
