Co - Founder and CEO – Revel Games

“Being a woman in tech and gaming can be challenging, especially in male-dominated industries. However, staying true to myself is my strength.”

1. You've had a dynamic career that spans various roles in strategy, investment, and entrepreneurship. Can you share the story of your professional journey and what motivated you to explore diverse career paths?

I graduated from Koç University’s Economics Department in 2006 and initially worked in Pwc Audit department, inspired by my father. However, my passion for building new initiatives led me to co-found the Economics Club and eventually transition to entrepreneurship. After working at PwC in auditing and tax advisory, I co-founded Close Notes, an online music platform, in 2006. Although the startup gained traction, technical difficulties led to its closure, teaching me valuable lessons. I later launched a second startup connecting companies with consumers through discounts, but faced challenges due to data limitations. During this period, I gained corporate experience at FIBA Holding and CNN Turk, while continuing my en- trepreneurial ventures.

A turning point came when I joined Galata Busi- ness Angels as managing director, working with over 3,000 entrepreneurs to prepare them for investment. My next ventures included Job24, a mobile app for blue-collar workers. After that Datarow, a data company, was sold to AWS in eight months.

I then co-founded Revel Games, a mobile gaming company, and QAngels, an angel network for my university alumni. Throughout my career, I’ve founded five companies, invested in startups, and mentored entrepreneurs, driven by my passion for creating innovative solutions.

2. Having worked both in Turkey and internationally (in San Francisco), how have these different environments influenced your business strategy?

Although I have never lived abroad, I have visited many countries, often staying for extended periods, such as two or three months. I had numerous first-hand experiences and meetings that left a significant impact on me.

What I found particularly influential was the fusion of Eastern and Western cultures. I’ve always appreciated the values and behaviors present in both cultures. In Eastern culture, I admire the ethical values and deep-rooted traditions, while in the West, I appreciate the collaborative mindset, efficiency, and innovative approach to work.

Through my travels, particularly in San Francisco and Europe, I made an effort to incorporate the best aspects of both cultures into my life and work. By blending the positive influences of East and West, I aim to continually evolve and become a better version of myself.

“Leadership is about accountability, but also about nurturing growth & creativity.”

3. Your background includes founding and leading several startups. How do you balance the demands of innovation and growth with the pressures of day-to-day management and decision-making in a fast-paced industry?

Collaboration is central to how I work. I’ve never founded a company alone; I always work with co-founders. I believe in the power of teamwork, where diverse skill sets and visions come together to create something greater.

Personally, I see myself as a visionary and a dreamer. I focus on ideation, innovation, and crafting a sustainable roadmap for the company. My role revolves around bringing fresh ideas and innovation into the business, while also ensuring that these ideas are aligned with a clear strategy for execution. I’m highly result-oriented, working to turn concepts into tangible outcomes.

In my daily routine, I try to integrate these principles. My mornings are spent focusing on how to bring new ideas to life. Outside of work, I dedicate weekends to staying informed and inspired, attending conferences, reading extensively, and listening to podcasts. These activities help me stay connected to new developments and ideas in my field.

When I engage with people, especially entrepreneurs or visionary individuals, I tend to ask many questions. I find listening and understanding their perspectives invaluable. I’m naturally curious and prefer to learn from others, as this interaction often sparks new ideas for me. It’s through this process of listening and reflecting that I develop my own creative insights.

4. With your extensive experience in angel investing, how do you approach identifying and nurturing early stage startups, and what key qualities do you look for in a startup team?

When I think about startups, I believe the key factor is not just having a team, but having the right team. While a single founder can have advantages, in the context of a tech company, it's often challenging to succeed as a solo founder. Therefore, I place a strong emphasis on understanding the dynamics of the founding team and ensuring the right fit. Personalities are crucial. Entrepreneurship, in my view, is a mindset and a way of life, not just a job. It's about solving problems and creating ideas, and I look for people who share this entrepreneurial lifestyle.

For me, the most important aspect of a startup is the problem being solved. I focus on the scale of the problem, not the solution. While solutions can evolve and change, the problem remains the constant. The size of the market also matters to me, as does accountability. I want to work with people who commit to timelines and deliver results, and I pay close attention to whether they honor those commitments.

Beyond the core team and the problem, I also consider factors like financials, competition, and market dynamics. However, I believe a strong team can overcome any obstacle. As a risk taker, I ensure that I have the resources to sustain the right team and address the most critical issues. I focus on lowering risk by honing in on the most important aspects and addressing them first, even in chaotic situations.

Being a dreamer, I start with big visions for the future. After dreaming, I work to find the right people and structure to bring those dreams to life. I firmly believe that achieving big goals requires taking risks. When faced with uncertainty, I don't accept it as an obstacle. I believe that with the right team and the right focus, we can make the uncertain certain. This mindset is something I’ve honed over the years—it feels almost instinctive to me now.

“I’ve been lucky enough to lead many entrepreneurial ventures, & what I’ve learned is that leadership isn’t about control it’s about empowering others.”

5. Having held leadership roles in various companies like Datarow and Smartup Network what key lessons have you learned from those experiences that you applied to building and growing your own ventures?

Through my experience with SmartUp Network, I learned the value of providing entrepreneurs with a strong technical foundation. Many of the entrepreneurs we worked with had brilliant ideas but lacked the technical knowledge needed to bring their visions to life. In Smartup Network, we acted as a CTO-in-residence for these companies, offering them the necessary technical advice and helping them build their products. I realized that with the right technical guidance, many entrepreneurial dreams can be realized. This experience reinforced the importance of technical support for entrepreneurs in turning their ideas into successful ventures.

At Dataro, I had my first exit, which was an incredibly exciting experience. It taught me that success comes from hard work, dedication, and an openness to learning. I once viewed an exit as something extraordinary and unattainable, but I came to understand that it’s the result of sustained effort and being prepared when the right opportunity arises. It’s about understanding the patterns of the business world, and recognizing that success is a combination of work, timing, and sometimes, a bit of luck. Ultimately, it's all about supply and demand, and identifying the right problems to solve.

6. As the Co-founder of Revel Games, how did you identify the niche or the market gap that Revel Games aims to fill? Did you ever face any major challenge with Revel Games?

We are a mobile casual gaming studio focused on developing games that cater to the gaming industry and players. Our approach revolves around identifying emerging trends in gaming and crafting enjoyable experiences for players. We take proven game mechanics and enhance them, adding innovation to create unique and engaging games that stand out in the market.

The gaming industry is data-driven, and we refer to ourselves as "data-driven dreamers." While the process is incredibly creative and imaginative, it's also deeply rooted in data and analytics. This combination allows us to craft fun and immersive games, while maintaining a sharp focus on performance and player engagement. The creative side keeps us grounded in fun, while the analytical side ensures we stay on track to deliver the best results. The balance of creativity and data is what makes this industry exciting.

The gaming sector is highly competitive, with many mobile casual games across various genres. As user acquisition costs rise, we are constantly searching for creative ways to lower the cost per install (CPI). Despite the competition, I believe there is still room for quality games. Players seek games that are not only fun but also rich in story, character development, and depth. Games that offer a more immersive experience with strong intellectual property (IP) still have potential in the market. There is space for companies that focus on creating engaging, well-crafted games that provide meaningful experiences for players.

“Dream big, start small, & build a team that shares your vision.”

7. As a seasoned entrepreneur and investment professional, how do you balance creative innovation with the financial aspects of running a game development company?

Our approach focuses on finding creative individuals and leveraging AI to optimize processes, reduce costs, and enhance efficiency. We aim to empower our team members, encouraging them to bring out the best in themselves. I believe in fostering an environment where creativity can flourish, and I avoid limiting my team. Instead, I encourage them to generate new ideas and push their own boundaries.

While I guide the team towards specific objectives, I emphasize the importance of personal responsibility. I set clear goals and timelines, but I also give them the freedom to explore and create. This balance of autonomy and accountability ensures that they are not only driven to produce great results but also take ownership of their work and its impact on the company.

Moreover, Our game operates on a global scale, with users from across the world, including the US, UK, India, and the Philippines, among others. From day one, we have been addressing global challenges, not just local ones. This broad user base presents unique opportunities and challenges as we strive to cater to diverse needs and preferences worldwide.

8. As a woman in the tech and investment sectors, how do you navigate the challenges of gender dynamics in leadership roles, and what advice do you have for women aspiring to follow in your footsteps?

This is a great question because the tech and gaming industries have traditionally been male-dominated. Being a woman in such an environment can be challenging, as there's often a certain "bro code" that dictates behavior. However, I focus on staying true to myself. I don't try to act like a man or imitate their behaviors; instead, I embrace my femininity and use it as my strength in the gaming and tech ecosystems.

I strive to be a strong, results-oriented leader while maintaining a sense of warmth and approachability. People respect me not for trying to be someone I'm not, but for being authentic. While I prioritize kindness, I also know when to assert myself. If someone is not being accountable or following through, I make sure they understand that I won't tolerate that. I set clear boundaries, and once I make a decision, I stand by it without hesitation.

9. In your experience, what’s the most unconventional approach or idea you’ve seen succeed in business, and how do you encourage thinking outside the box in your ventures?

I specialize in finding creative solutions and connecting the right people to meet specific needs. When I entered the gaming industry, I was new and lacked experience, but I quickly identified a genre and created a meta that resonated with players. This was a major success for me.

Additionally, we raised $4.5 million in funding at the idea stage, which is a significant achievement considering how difficult it is to secure such funding at that point. My ability to find the right investors and build a reliable team contributed to this success.

In my work with the Galata Business Angels (GBA), I developed a unique mentoring initiative that paired 1,000 entrepreneurs with one-on-one mentors. I designed the entire structure and framework for these sessions, which was another example of a creative solution.

My entrepreneurial journey also began with creative thinking, such as my online music platform before the likes of Spotify or Deezer existed. The idea stemmed from a real need, and it was made possible by the early iPhones, which were just emerging at that time. This was another example of my ability to identify opportunities and build innovative solutions.

“To achieve big goals, you have to take risks & embrace uncertainty.”

10. Looking ahead, what are your key goals for the next phase of your career, and how do you envision the next steps in your entrepreneurial journey?

My primary goal is to scale Rebel Games and create engaging, fun games for our users in the coming years. While this is my immediate focus, my long-term vision is to create something that helps young children understand their skills and foster their creativity. Although this is not a current priority, it is part of my broader vision—a kind of retirement plan for me—that I aim to develop in the future.

11. What final message would you like to share with EVOLVE readers, especially those who are passionate about gaming, entrepreneurship, or technology?

The first piece of advice I would give is to understand your skill sets and passions. These are the foundation for pursuing your dreams. For me, my passion and skills have guided me towards achieving my goals. I encourage others to follow their dreams without fear, and to surround themselves with the right people. It's important to build a team that understands each other's needs and works together effectively.