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Mapping Social Impact: Exploring Turkey’s Social Entrepreneurship Ecosystem

April 16, 2025

Nazlı Çam

Nazlı Çam is focusing startup programs at Tenity. Since joining Tenity, Nazlı has supported more than 50+ startups and serves as a bridge between startups and the innovation ecosystem. With a focus on unlock startups' potential, she acting like as a their unpaid co-founder at heart.

Mapping Social Impact: Exploring Turkey’s Social Entrepreneurship Ecosystem

Mapping Social Impact: Exploring Türkiye's Social Entrepreneurship Ecosystem

Across the globe, social entrepreneurship is reshaping how we think about business, value, and impact. In Türkiye, this movement is gaining significant momentum — and now, with our newly map of social startups, it’s easier than ever to see the startups in ecosystem.

With 123 inspiring startup on the map — including 47 led by our very own alumni — this map beyond just data points, this map tells a story: a story of impact, sustainability, and innovation. It captures a living, breathing network of bold ideas, community-driven missions, and sustainable solutions in motion.

More Than a Map: A Tool for Transformation

Each logo on the map represents more than just a business — it’s a story of deep-rooted desire to make the world better.

Social startups tackle real-world challenges: climate change, youth unemployment, social inequality, food waste, and more. Yet, one of their biggest hurdles remains: visibility.

That’s where this map comes in — a tool designed to:

  • Connect changemakers with collaborators and supporters
  • Increase access to resources and networks
  • Inspire others to act boldly and think differently

We built this map to support, empower, and amplify these voices — and to help their impact travel further.

Why Social Startups Matters — More Than Ever

The need for socially conscious, sustainable innovation is no longer optional — it’s urgent.

Here’s what’s at stake:

  • 🌱 Environmental urgency: Turkey is expected to face water scarcity by 2030. Meanwhile, only 22% of waste is currently recycled, leaving a significant environmental footprint.
  • 👩‍🎓 Inclusion and opportunity: Youth and women — especially in underserved communities — remain among the most affected by unemployment. Social enterprises are stepping in, offering meaningful employment and entrepreneurial pathways.
  • 🚀 Innovation with intention: Social ventures are agile, adaptable, and built for impact — the kind of innovation we need to solve problems where traditional systems fall short.

Let’s Explore: Türkiye's Social Impact Startups

What’s Next: Growing the Movement

Our vision is to see this map grow — not only in numbers but in impact. We continue to support social startups with our startup programs and work for a better world. If you interest, follow our programs!

🔗 Click here to get your copy of the map.

🔗 Click here to explore all our programs and be part of the impact.

Let’s build a future where innovation meets purpose — together.