In this episode of Invest in Türkiye Talks, we delve into the remarkable journey of Murat Onuk, a transformative leader reshaping Türkiye's venture capital and finance landscape. With decades of international experience and a visionary approach, Onuk has been pivotal in driving innovation and positioning Türkiye as a global hub for venture capital investments. As the Managing Partner of Arz Portföy, he leads with a focus on aligning financial growth with technological progress.
Onuk began his career after earning a degree in International Relations from Istanbul University. His professional path started with a milestone role at Microsoft Türkiye as Consumer Marketing Manager, where he led major initiatives from 1999 to 2004. This marked the beginning of a career characterized by strategic foresight and innovative leadership. From 2004 to 2009, Onuk advanced to Microsoft's U.S. headquarters as Senior Marketing Executive, where he successfully launched over 80 global products and delivered double-digit revenue growth.
Returning to Türkiye, Onuk became VP of Marketing at TTNET (2009–2010) and later an advisor to the CEO of Türk Telekom (2010–2012). These roles solidified his expertise in telecommunications and technology, preparing him for his next chapter as an angel investor and board member across various organizations. In 2017, he joined Arz Portföy, a leading portfolio management company, as Managing Partner.
Arz Portföy, established in 2015, specializes in managing Venture Capital Funds (VCFs) and Real Estate Investment Funds (REIFs). The company has become a cornerstone of Türkiye's venture capital ecosystem, managing 12 VCFs and six REIFs. Under Onuk's leadership, Arz Portföy has invested in innovative startups such as Harcy, RobotEye, and PhiTech Bioinformatics. These investments exemplify his vision of aligning financial growth with technological innovation.
In addition to his role at Arz Portföy, Onuk holds key positions in Türkiye's venture capital ecosystem. He is the Vice Chairman of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB) Venture Capital Council and chairs its Regulation and Organization Commission, where he works to create a supportive framework for startups and investors. He also serves as an Audit Board Member of the Turkish Capital Markets Association (TCMA) and as a board member of TakasBank. His influence in shaping Türkiye's financial and regulatory landscapes has been instrumental in driving the country's entrepreneurial growth.
One of the standout themes in this conversation is Onuk's commitment to impact investing. He believes that the future of venture capital lies in aligning investments with social and environmental goals. As he states: “By 2030, there will be no investment that is not an impact investment." This perspective highlights his focus on fostering sustainable growth within Türkiye's startup ecosystem.
During the episode, Onuk shares his thoughts on Türkiye's position in the global venture capital arena. He emphasizes that Türkiye's startup ecosystem is among the fastest-growing in Europe and predicts that the country will soon be in the "Champions League" of venture capital investments. He attributes this growth to Türkiye's dynamic workforce, robust regulatory environment, and strong government support.
Looking ahead, Onuk emphasizes the importance of innovation and sustainability. Arz Portföy's recent investments target technologies addressing critical challenges like emissions reduction and digital transformation. Onuk advocates for collaboration between startups, investors, and policymakers to ensure long-term competitiveness in global markets.
As the episode concludes, Onuk underscores the transformative potential of venture capital. His leadership at Arz Portföy and within Türkiye's venture capital community demonstrates that financial success and social impact can coexist, paving the way for a brighter, more sustainable future.