Gaming startups in Türkiye proceed to draw consideration within the startup ecosystem with funding agreements, as one other enterprise has managed to lift a notable capital in a contemporary funding spherical.
Grand Games acquired a $3 million pre-seed funding led by Earlybird Digital East Fund. The spherical marked Earlybird’s first funding within the recreation sector after Peak Games, which turned Türkiye’s first unicorn startup in mid-2020.
Founded by Bekir Batuhan Çelebi, Mustafa Fırtına and Mehmet Çalım, who beforehand labored at main recreation firms within the sector corresponding to Good Job Games and Moon Active, and held management positions in video games corresponding to Zen Match and Wonder Blast, Grand Games got down to develop long-lasting cell video games that will probably be performed by hundreds of thousands.
Successful video games lower
Grand Games co-founder Çelebi famous that whereas the variety of firms within the gaming sector has elevated considerably previously 5 years, the variety of profitable video games has decreased.
“Although the gaming sector is on the rise, innovative and quality productions are very rare. At Grand Games, we will develop high-quality games focused on chance and social competition with our emotion-centered approach. We are fully confident in our success with our team and strategy, which includes highly experienced people in software, product development, art and marketing.”
New unicorn
Believing within the energy of quick manufacturing and fast suggestions from customers, Grand Games introduced that they’ve launched their first video games.
Magic Sort!, accessible on iOS and Android platforms, was unveiled within the U.S. as a gentle launch. Providing hints about new video games, Çelebi mentioned after specializing in puzzle video games of their first months, they plan to launch their flagship recreation, which he says will take social competitors and interplay to an entire new stage, in early 2025.
He acknowledged that they’d use the funding to construct a staff of passionate folks like themselves who’re devoted to altering the gaming ecosystem.
“Our goal is to be among the companies that have reached unicorn status in the gaming ecosystem, like Peak Games and Dream Games. We thank our pre-seed investors who believed in us and supported us on this journey,” mentioned Çelebi.
Earlybird’s 2nd funding in Türkiye
Laton Ventures additionally participated within the funding spherical led by Earlybird Digital East Fund. Targeting expertise innovators in Europe, Earlybird had beforehand invested in Türkiye’s first unicorn, Peak Games, which was offered to Zynga for $1.8 billion in June 2020.
The funding in Grand Games marked Earlybird’s second recreation funding in Türkiye.
Oğuzhan Özer from Earlybird Digital East Fund, highlighting Türkiye’s success in growing cell video games that prime app shops and are beloved worldwide, mentioned, “We have witnessed the decadelong development of the gaming ecosystem in Türkiye, and its transformation into a global hub, especially after the acquisition of Peak Games.”
“As a selective investment firm aware of the sector’s challenges, what made Grand Games stand out for us was the quality of their team and their vision. We are very pleased to support them on this exciting journey.”
Görkem Türk, founding father of Laton Ventures, which was established with the help of main names within the gaming sector, mentioned they “firmly believe that Grand Games, founded by visionary founders raised with the culture of globally successful companies, will write new success stories.”
AI startup Cohere reaches $5 billion valuation
TT Ventures, the enterprise capital firm established by Türk Telekom to help modern startup concepts and create worth within the startup ecosystem, performs an vital function in shaping the longer term by supporting technology-focused startups.
The AI startup Cohere, which is a part of the Digital Transformation Capital Partners (DTCP) fund that features Türk Telekom Ventures alongside international telecom and expertise firms, acquired a $450 million funding at a valuation of $5 billion.
TT Ventures General Manager Muhammed Özhan mentioned the corporate not solely takes Turkish startups overseas but additionally performs an “important role in shaping the future by investing in startups that will change the world.”
“Cohere, in the field of generative AI that has affected the entire world, is one of these startups. We are pleased that Cohere’s innovations will offer pioneering contributions to our country and technology ecosystem,” mentioned Özhan.
$450 million funding
Supporting Turkish startups and serving as a bridge for his or her international growth, Türk Telekom Ventures goals to develop the Turkish entrepreneurship ecosystem and carry Türkiye into the longer term with new applied sciences by investing in varied funds within the international entrepreneurship ecosystem.
The Canada-based startup, Cohere develops basis fashions and is seen as a competitor to main expertise corporations like OpenAI within the area of generative AI.
Özhan mentioned the corporate had acquired a $270 million funding in 2023 at a valuation of $2.2 billion. “We can say that it has more than doubled its valuation in just one year,” he famous.
Peer-to-peer car-sharing platform Rentive raises $350K
The peer-to-peer car-sharing platform Rentiva has acquired an funding of TL 11.7 million (round $350,000), which it seeks to make the most of to develop its companies to new cities in Türkiye.
Founded in Istanbul beneath the motto “Yola Çık” (Hit the Road), the platform connects automotive homeowners who wish to earn earnings by renting out their automobiles with renters who search assured finest costs, handy places and dependable automotive rental companies.
Renters can profit from each each day and month-to-month rental choices.
Rentiva CEO Eren Alkış acknowledged that peer-to-peer automotive sharing continues to develop, saying, “We help automotive homeowners in masking their rising prices and moreover incomes earnings, thus boosting family earnings.”
“Soon, we are going to announce new fashions to help individuals who wish to personal a automotive however have inadequate budgets, serving to them obtain their goals. As the one platform in Türkiye the place folks can safely earn earnings from their automobiles, the belief and help of our traders are crucial to us,” mentioned Alkış.
Over 30,000 registered automobiles
Rentiva, which presently operates in Istanbul with over 170,000 registered members and greater than 30,000 registered automobiles, will develop its companies to 5 extra cities with the newest funding.
The funding spherical was led by Mustafa Atilla and included members corresponding to Erman Kumcu, Orhan Çetin, Mustafa Erdem Demirkol, Elif Palancı, Ahmet Demirel, Can Doğancoşkun, Ömer Yiğit Aykan, Onur Ergönen, Duygu Acar Yücesoy, Gökhan Tataroğlu, Ceyhun Aksan and Berk Can Köybaşıoğlu.
Hidden risks of on a regular basis tech: Protect your self from spy ware
With the widespread use of the web right now, cybersecurity threats are rising each day, with many spy ware packages infecting customers by generally used USB-enabled chargers, QR codes and shared WiFi areas.
Timus Cybersecurity Country Manager Artuğ Tikiç emphasizes that spy ware packages designed to steal consumer info and use it for malicious functions may cause important injury. He warns shoppers, significantly in regards to the USB chargers, QR codes and Wi-Fi networks utilized in cafes and eating places.
While the web offers benefits for communication and entry to info in an more and more digital world, it additionally carries important dangers when it comes to cybersecurity threats.
Tikiç explains the factors to concentrate to and the precautions that may be taken concerning these risks.
Carry your individual charger
He highlights the necessity for shoppers to be cautious about cybersecurity threats and spy ware packages, stating: “USB chargers used in cafes and restaurants especially attract cyberattacks. Spyware programs loaded onto phones via USB can access all sorts of information, from personal data to bank details.”
Additionally, Tikiç says Wi-Fi networks and QR codes used at residence, faculty, work or in any cafe additionally pose important dangers for cyberattacks. “Public Wi-Fi networks, in particular, pose major threats in terms of man-in-the-middle attacks, data theft and malicious software.”
Connect to trusted networks
Tikiç explains that man-in-the-middle assaults goal particular person customers by impersonating an present Wi-Fi connection to lure them in.
“When users connect to this fake network, the attacker can access, steal online data and even install malicious software. Serious security issues can arise, especially if sensitive information is shared. To prevent such risks, ensure the verification of sources and connect to trusted networks when using public Wi-Fi,” he mentioned.
“Additionally, using a VPN can help protect data by encrypting it from malicious attacks. Another precaution against such social engineering attacks is to install up-to-date antivirus software on devices. Avoiding the sharing of sensitive information over Wi-Fi is also among the other precautions that can be taken,” he added.
Source: www.dailysabah.com