Arya Women Investment Platform

Arya Women Investment Platform is Turkey's pioneering gender-focused investment platform, founded in 2013 by Ahu Büyükkuşoğlu Serter and Münteha Adalı as a social enterprise with the vision of transforming the world through women's leadership. With over 300 accomplished women members, Arya operates as a collaborative intelligence ecosystem that educates women to become angel investors while supporting female-led and gender-balanced startups through investment, mentorship, education, and networking opportunities. Since its establishment, Arya has connected with over 800 women-led ventures and invested $5.4 million across 22 companies, demonstrating that gender-balanced founding teams achieve 25% higher valuations compared to all-male teams. The platform's unique approach combines smart money with strategic guidance, creating success stories that prove women's economic participation is not just a social imperative but a significant business opportunity.

Beyond direct investments, Arya has established comprehensive support mechanisms including the Arya Challenge Club with chapters globally, acceleration programs, investor development training, and the annual Arya Retreat that brings together entrepreneurs and investors from over 10 countries. Through strategic partnerships with leading institutions like Türkiye İş Bankası and Akbank, Arya launched Turkey's and MENA's first gender-balanced impact investment fund (Arya Venture Capital Fund) targeting a minimum of $10 million, managed by Maxis Portfolio Management. The platform has also expanded its reach through partnerships with Galata Business Angels, Draper Ventures, and F+ Ventures, while supporting over 500 entrepreneurs through various programs in Istanbul, Ankara, and İzmir. Arya's commitment extends to the global stage through the $100 Million campaign for Women Entrepreneurs in Turkey and Neighboring Countries, solidifying its position as a catalyst for gender equality in the venture capital ecosystem.