Ülker

Do?an Holding Chairwoman Begümhan Do?an Faralyal? was awarded "businesswoman of the year" at the Bosphorus Business World Awards in a ceremony on Nov. 21. 

"The main source of your dreams should not be your mother, father, teacher or neighbors, but you. Find the seed within yourself, plant it and grow it," she said at the ceremony. 

I have decided to give a monthly update on startups, as the start-up world is ever changing and full of great news in Turkey. 

I recently attended the Independent Industrial and Business Association's (MÜS?AD) Vizyoner'15 (Visionary'15) launch, and it was obvious that they are on the board for a more innovative and entrepreneurial Turkey too. 

Do?an Holding Chairwoman Begümhan Do?an Faralyal? has been named businesswoman of the year at the Bosphorus Business World Awards. 

After gaining 15 years of overseas experience, she moved back to Turkey in 2009 and became CEO of Star TV.

Y?ld?z Holding Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Head of Non-Food Businesses Dr. Cem Karaka?, who had a key role in the company?s global expansion, has been appointed as the group?s executive deputy chairman as of October, said the company in a press release on Oct. 14 

Thanks to Istanbul Modern?s implementation ?Your Thursday,? sponsored by Ülker, 235,000 people have been able to visit the museum free of charge since May 1, 2014.

Turkey?s largest food group, Y?ld?z Holding, has sold its Ak G?da dairy unit to French food giant Groupe Lactalis after an intended initial public offering (IPO) was canceled, the company has announced.

People?s chocolate consumption remains unaffected during times of crises, according to Murat Ülker, the chairman of Y?ld?z Holding which owns Ülker, the largest food company in Turkey.

?Nothing changes in the chocolate and biscuit consumption of the people,? he said during an interview with daily Hürriyet.

There are 32 Turkish citizens on Forbes? 2015 list of billionaires, the magazine announced on late March 2.

Among these 32 people, Murat Ülker was ranked the richest person from Turkey. He is the chairman of Y?ld?z Holding, which owns U.K.-based United Biscuits and Godiva Chocolates, and has a net worth of $4.4 billion. Ülker was ranked the 368th wealthiest person in the world.

While Turkey seems to be on a downward path in democracy, freedom of speech and fighting against corruption, the situation of the country?s football is no different.

Y?ld?z Holding, one of the largest sports sponsors in Turkey, has announced that it will withdraw from backing football, citing major excuses that also reveal the frustrating state of the beautiful game in the country.