DenizBank’s NEOHUB and Oxentia launch TRUK accelerator programme to support the global expansion of sustainability-focused startups

2 Min | 01 December 2023

Nine-month long accelerator to initially support startups in Türkiye and subsequently facilitate global expansion in the UK, guided by Oxentia

Dubai, UAE, 15 December 2023: NEOHUB, the new generation subsidiary of DenizBank, a fully owned subsidiary of Emirates NBD Group, announced at COP28 their partnership with Oxford’s global innovation consultancy, Oxentia, to establish the TRUK Accelerator. This is an international initiative dedicated to the support and expansion of sustainability-focused startups.

The accelerator programme will provide participating startups with a comprehensive and practical support including partnering, networking, tailored guidance and the opportunity to pitch for investment. Over its nine-month duration, the programme commences with local support in Türkiye and then expands their global perspective to the UK and beyond. The accelerator programme is divided into two distinct phases - an initial four-month phase based in Türkiye, primarily led by local mentors, and a subsequent five-month phase where Oxentia, headquartered in the UK, will support their international growth.

The TRUK Accelerator programme was formally announced at a panel session at COP28, hosted at the Emirates NBD Showcase Stand, followed by a signing ceremony in the presence of Gürhan Çam, CEO of NEOHUB; Aziz Köse, CIEO of NEOHUB; Stephen Charles Cleverley CEO, Oxentia; Fabio Bianchi, Head of Entrepreneurship, Oxentia; and Siret Ünsal, Business Development Partner, Oxentia.

Oxentia is a reputed and dynamic consultancy that specialises in collaborating with organisations around the world to enhance their innovation capabilities. Originally established as a division within Oxford University Innovation, the technology transfer arm of the University of Oxford, Oxentia's roots are firmly in Oxford, but their outlook is truly global. Oxentia has been providing support and empowerment to clients in more than 70 countries since 2004.

Gürhan Çam, CEO at NEOHUB, said: “This initiative aligns with our principal objectives of fostering innovation, expanding reach and establishing ourselves as frontrunners in the sustainability domain. The TRUK accelerator programme showcases our commitment to making a significant impact in the field of sustainability and driving positive change.”

He added: “Through our collaborations with sustainability-focused startups, we are empowering aspiring talent with the resources and opportunities they need to grow. Further, the dual-phase structure of the programme, with mentorship from both Türkiye and the UK, promotes international collaboration and knowledge exchange, enhancing global reach and offering international exposure to the participating startups.”

Steve Cleverley, CEO of Oxentia Ltd, said: “We are excited to be working in partnership with NEOHUB to support the global expansion of Turkish Startups. Our experience of working in the region has shown us the huge untapped potential of the spinouts and startups from Türkiye, often founded on novel groundbreaking technologies, and successful in their own domestic market. Our aim is to support these companies to broaden their international perspectives and accelerate their growth by enabling them to reach new geographic markets.”

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