A startup company is an entrepreneurial venture, which is usually based on either a brand new idea or an innovative way to deliver other ideas already on the market. The key to a startup is that it is something different than a small company due mainly to its creative nature and in many cases its manner of obtaining funding. In Istanbul during this month and June there will be a number of both grand-scale and intimate events at which potential startup entrepreneurs will get the opportunity to learn the secrets of success by a number of pioneers in the genre from Turkey and abroad.

May 20- Startup Carnival at Boğaziçi University

On Saturday, May 20, Boğaziçi University will be organizing Turkey's first-ever Startup Carnival. Held on the Boğaziçi University South Campus, Startup Carnival 2017 will give the opportunity for attendants to listen to the stories of more than 60 startup founders and Angel Investors and to learn from their experiences. This free event is geared towards connecting startup founders with young startup aspirers and to showcase the creative and productive spirit of entrepreneurship and forging one's own path. Taking place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., there will be dozens of speakers from a wide range of sectors accompanied by daylong outdoor activities, such as tai chi, zumba and live music. To attend, it is mandatory to register on Eventbrite in order to be able to enter the university on the day. For more info and to check out the extensive and impressive list of speakers, visit http://startupcarnival.co/.

May 23 - Kolektif Up Workshop 'Early Stage Startups Looking for Funding'

On Tuesday, May 23 the Kolektif Up Workshops series will be holding an event called "Early Stage Startups looking for funding" at Kolektif House in Levent from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. In this informative series, participants will learn what startups need to do to get funding, what sort of funding they need, what details entrepreneurs need to pay close heed to and how to quickly become prepared for the market. The speakers at this event will be Galata Business Angels and Managing Director of GBA Ata Uzunhasan, founder and CEO of Hackquarters Kaan Akın, and associate at Sabancı University SUCool Başar Kaya. This free event will be held at the coworking and innovation space Kolektif House in Levent. Entrance is free; however attendants are advised to register on Eventbrite.

May 29 - Startup Ladies Tell Their Stories Panel

On Monday, May 29, at the Dome Istanbul, the digital transformation center located in the Sanayi neighborhood in Kağıthane will be hosting a very special event from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at which a number of female entrepreneurs will be sharing their own startup stories on a special panel which men and women alike are welcome to attend. The speakers will be Denebunu founder Duygu Akbudak and Stajim.net founder Elis Yılmaz. The program is as follows: doors open at 6 p.m. and for the first hour participants will get to meet the speakers and network. The panel will then take place from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., with a question and answer session to be held until 8:30 p.m. The evening will conclude with a happy hour and networking until 9:30 p.m. By now you know the drill, the event is free but attendants should register on Eventbrite to attend.

May 30 -- Sportup at Kadir Has University

Kadir Has University will be hosting a sports, technology and entrepreneurship conference on their Balat campus on Tuesday, May 30, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dozens of entrepreneurs in the world of sports will be sharing their experiences through panels that will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a lunch and coffee break in between. Afterwards sports start-ups will be giving presentations. Tickets are TL 40 for students and TL 80 for general admission and are available on Biletix.

June 1 - StartNowHow by BIC Angel Investments

On Thursday June 1, the KoLounge at Kolektif House Levent will be hosting a StartNowHow seminar from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. organized by BIC Angel Investments. In this event, potential startups will have the chance to have five minutes to explain their startups to investors. This seminar is free and geared towards anyone interested in entrepreneurialism and learning the secrets to becoming a successful entrepreneur. The founder of BIC Angels Dr. Joachim Behrendt, will be delivering a talk on Success and Failure as an Entrepreneur followed by presentations by entrepreneurs and potential startup aspirers and a chance to network. If you happen to have a startup idea you want to present at this event, you can still apply to do so by May 28. The guidelines for applying can be found on Eventbrite, where you can also register to attend this free event.

June 13 - The Entrepreneur Gathering Vol. 1

On Tuesday, June 13, the co working space Habita, located in the Maslak Sanayi neighborhood, will be hosting The Entrepreneur Gathering, an event for entrepreneurs, small business owners and investors to share marketing tips, tools and advices. Organized by Izdigit, there will be four high impact speakers to discuss marketing tips tools and advice and help to build confidence, strengthen ideas, validate offerings and place structure around growth. There will also be three startups that will be offering advice and presenting the challenges they have faced. Taking place from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., the evening will conclude with speed networking. Once again this event is free however attendants should register through Eventbrite.