mustafa degerli – 2016 - key figures - technology entrepreneurship and lean startups

TECHNOLOGY ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND LEAN STARTUPS

Mustafa Değerli

2016

Mustafa Değerli – Key Figures Page 1 of 17

Table of Contents

1. 12 Key Figures ............................................................................................................................ 2

2. Detailed Information/Analysis about the People ........................................................................ 3

2.1. From Abroad ............................................................................................................................ 3

2.1.1. Academician ......................................................................................................................... 3

2.1.2. Venture Capitalist ................................................................................................................. 5

2.1.3. Founder ................................................................................................................................. 8

2.2. From Turkey .......................................................................................................................... 11

2.2.1. Academician ....................................................................................................................... 11

2.2.2. Venture Capitalist ............................................................................................................... 13

2.2.3. Founder ............................................................................................................................... 15

3. Conclusion ................................................................................................................................ 17


1. 12 Key Figures

Steven Paul Jobs (1955 – 2011)

Sir Richard Charles Nicholas Branson

Prof. Thomas R. Eisenmann

Nevzat Aydın

Hasan Aslanoba

Prof. Dr. Erhan Erkut

William Henry Bill Gates

Evan Thomas Spiegel

Mark Elliot Zuckerberg

Travis Cordell Kalanick

Jeffrey Preston Jeff Bezos

Jan Koum


2. Detailed Information/Analysis about the People

2.1. From Abroad

2.1.1. Academician

Name Prof. Thomas R. Eisenmann

Country USA

Brief Description

about the Person

Harvard’s Top Entrepreneurship Professor.

The Howard H. Stevenson Professor of Business

Administration at the Harvard Business School and Faculty

Co-Chair of the HBS Rock Center for Entrepreneurship.

Has served as Chair of Harvard’s MBA Elective Curriculum

—the second year of the MBA Program— and as course head

of The Entrepreneurial Manager.

Received Doctorate in Business Administration ('98), MBA

('83), and BA ('79) from Harvard University.

Spent eleven years as a management consultant at McKinsey

& Company.

Why I Classify the

Person as a

Successful

Entrepreneur

Although Prof. Thomas R. Eisenmann has not been a founder

or a venture capitalist, I classify the person as a successful

entrepreneur owing to his dedicated efforts and works related

with entrepreneurship.

To me, as long as the “site” is supported or fostered by the

academy, the chances for success for start-ups and

entrepreneurs will dramatically increase. That’s why, I

included him in my list. He is an active academician who

served a lot to the community with his academic efforts.

The items that I listed in major accomplishment(s) and key

determinants of person’s success part of this table led me to

classify him as successful and valuable with respect to

entrepreneurship discipline and practices.


Major

Accomplishment(s)

and Key

Determinants of

Person’s Success

Taught to all 900 first-year MBA students.

Co-creator of the MBA elective field courses Product

Management and Entrepreneurial Sales & Marketing.

Created the MBA electives Launching Technology Ventures

and Managing Networked Business.

Twice co-led a Harvard Innovation Lab course, Cultural

Entrepreneurship in New York City and co-led four similar

winter break trips to Silicon Valley.

On the editorial board of Strategic Management Journal.

Edited the book: Managing Startups: Best Blog Posts.

Published nearly 200 papers and a remarkable amount of these

are related with entrepreneurship and start-ups.

Cited by nearly 2500 papers/works.

Winner of the 2015 Case Centre Award in the

Entrepreneurship category for “Dropbox.”

Won a 2011 European Case Clearing House Award in the

Strategy and General Management category.

References http://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Pages/profile.aspx?facId=6452

http://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Pages/

search.aspx?cnt=15&df=1&step=10&sort=

Descending&auth=Eisenmann%2C%20Thomas%20R.

https://scholar.google.com.tr/citations?

user=s2qjnHkAAAAJ&hl=tr

http://poetsandquants.com/2013/11/18/qa-with-harvards-top-

entrepreneurship-professor/


2.1.2. Venture Capitalist

Name Sir Richard Charles Nicholas Branson

Country UK

Brief Description

about the Person

Struggled in school and dropped out at age 16.

Created the Virgin Records.

His entrepreneurial projects started in the music industry and

expanded into other sectors making Branson a billionaire.

His Virgin Group holds more than 200 companies, including

the recent Virgin Galactic, a space-tourism company.

Branson is also known for his adventurous spirit and sporting

achievements, including crossing oceans in a hot air balloon.

Why I Classify the

Person as a

Successful

Entrepreneur

Followings are the qualities of Sir Richard Charles Nicholas

Branson and these made him a successful person, to me:

An unwavering passion

A forward-looking approach

A constant flow of ideas

Risk taking

Self-belief, hard work & disciplined dedication

Create a competitive advantage

Grab attention

Vision

Flexibility

Adaptability

Learn from mistakes



classify him as successful and appreciated with respect to



Major

Accomplishment(s)

and Key

Determinants of

Person’s Success

Founded the station Virgin Radio in 1993, and several years

later he started a second record company, V2.

Branson’s Virgin Group now holds more than 200 companies

in more than 30 countries, including the United Kingdom, the

United States, Australia, Canada, Asia, Europe and South

Africa.

Expanded his businesses to include a train company, a luxury

game preserve, a mobile phone company and a space-tourism

company.

Was knighted in 1999 for his contribution to entrepreneurship,

and in 2009, he landed at No. 261 on Forbes’ “World

Billionaires” list with his $2.5 billion in self-made fortune.

For his work in retail, music and transport, his taste for

adventure, and for his humanitarian work, he became one of

the most prominent figures in British culture.

Was named in the BBC’s poll of the 100 Greatest Britons.

Was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Technology

from Loughborough University.

Elizabeth II signified her intention to confer the honor of

Knight Bachelor on him for his services to entrepreneurship.

Received the Tony Jannus Award for his accomplishments in

commercial air transportation.

Was ranked in 2007’s Time magazine “Top 100 Most

Influential People in the World.”

Was awarded the German Media Prize.

Was awarded the ISTA Prize by the International Space

Transport Association in The Hague On 11 February 2012,

Branson was honored with the National Academy of

Recording Arts and Sciences’ President’s Merit Award for his

contributions to the music industry.


Received an honorary degree of Doctor Honoris Causa from

Kaunas Technology University in Kaunas, Lithuania

Received the 2014 Business for Peace Award.

Was recognized by The Sunday Times as the most admired

business person over the last five decades

Received the International Crisis Group Chairman’s Award at

the United Nations Development Programmer’s In Pursuit of

Peace Awards Dinner.

References http://www.biography.com/people/richard-branson-9224520

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Branson

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/240559




http://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-

finance/101014/10-characteristics-successful-

entrepreneurs.asp


2.1.3. Founder

Name Steven Paul Jobs

Country USA

Brief Description

about the Person

American businessman, inventor, and industrial designer.

Was the co-founder, chairman, and chief executive officer of

Apple Inc.; CEO and majority shareholder of Pixar; a member

of The Walt Disney Company’s board of directors following

its acquisition of Pixar; and founder, chairman, and CEO of

NeXT.

Why I Classify the

Person as a

Successful

Entrepreneur

Followings are the abilities of Steven Paul Jobs and these

made him a successful person, in my opinion:

Extreme passion and confidence

Strong vision and leadership

Exceptional influence

Risk taking

Vision

Adaptability

Serial reformer


Rule-breaking

Self-belief

Know how to sell

Constantly learning

Harness technology

Make the big decisions carefully

Make it all about the customer

Take what they do seriously



classify him as successful and appreciated in regard to



Major

Accomplishment(s)

and Key

Determinants of

Person’s Success

Was listed as #17 of powerful people, #110 of billionaires, and

#39 on Forbes 400 in relevant Forbes lists.

Experimented with different pursuits before starting Apple

Computer with Steve Wozniak in 1976.

Pioneer of the microcomputer revolution of the 1970s and

1980s.

Was awarded National Medal of Technology.

Was awarded Jefferson Award for Public Service.

Was awarded Entrepreneur of the Decade by Inc. magazine.

Was named the most powerful person in business by Fortune

magazine.

Was inducted into the California Hall of Fame.

Was awarded Grammy Trustees Award, an award for those

who have influenced the music industry in areas unrelated to

performance.

Was posthumously inducted as a Disney Legend.

By 2011, Apple surpassed Exxon Mobil Corp (XOM) as the

largest corporation in the United States, with a market

capitalization of roughly $355 billion. At the beginning of

Jobs’ second reign, in 1997, Apple’s market cap was

approximately $3 billion.

Released the iMac; the fastest-selling personal computer ever,

and Apple immediately returns to being profitable and makes

money for four quarters in a row.

Created a sensation in the world of cellular device with the

launch of first generation iPhone (Invention of the Year’ in

2007 by Times Magazine).

Was named the CEO of the decade.

Was named person of the year by Financial Times.


References https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Jobs

http://www.biography.com/people/steve-jobs-9354805

http://www.forbes.com/profile/steve-jobs/

http://www.2knowmyself.com/steve_jobs_personality_traits

http://www.investopedia.com/university/steve-jobs-

biography/steve-jobs-success-story.asp

http://attitudes4innovation.com/7-traits-that-made-steve-jobs-

successful/





http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/steve-paul-jobs-

2904.php

http://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-

finance/101014/10-characteristics-successful-

entrepreneurs.asp


2.2. From Turkey

2.2.1. Academician

Name Prof. Dr. Erhan Erkut

Country Turkey

Brief Description

about the Person

Has an undergraduate degree in industrial engineering from

Bogazici University (1980) and a PhD in industrial and

systems engineering from the University of Florida (1986).

Taught from 1985 to 2005 in the University of Alberta School

of Business, and served as a visiting faculty member at

University of Geneve, Ohio State University, National Institute

of Development Administration in Bangkok, and Bogazici and

Sabanci Universities.

Served as Dean of Bilkent’s Faculty of Business between 2005

and 2008, and the Founding Rector of Ozyegin University

from 2008 to 2013.

Currently serves as Vice Rector and Dean at MEF University.


Why I Classify the

Person as a

Successful

Entrepreneur

Actively participates in many events related with

entrepreneurship and start-ups.

Provided a major contribution (both theoretical and practical)

to the community about entrepreneurship and start-ups.

Followings are the abilities of Prof. Dr. Erhan Erkut and these

made him a successful person, for myself:


Exceptional influence


Rule-breaking

Know how to sell




classify him as successful and respected in regard to


Major

Accomplishment(s)

and Key

Determinants of

Person’s Success

One of the leading influencers of Turkish entrepreneurs.

Was founding Rector at Özyeğin University, the first

university opening Entrepreneurship Department.

Published over 60 papers in international journals.

He received nine teaching awards including the INFORMS

Teaching of Management Science Practice Award and the 3M

Teaching Fellowship, and five service awards from the

Canadian Operational Research Society.

While at the University of Alberta he established the Centre

for Excellence in Operations and served as the Founding

Editor of the INFORMS Transactions on Education.

References http://som.sabanciuniv.edu/tr/news_detail/55251

https://www.etohum.com/tr/person/2523/erhan-erkut

http://erhanerkut.com/hakkimda/


2.2.2. Venture Capitalist

Name Hasan Aslanoba

Country Turkey

Brief Description

about the Person

Graduated from the Istanbul University Management Program

and received an MBA from San Diego National University in

1988.

In 1989, started to work as CEO for Erikli Water, then a small

family company. Left CEO position in May 2012 and later

completely exited from JV.

Tried to build an e-commerce business, branded as Tazedirekt,

in online grocery, with a specialization on premium food that

was delivered to homes; but sadly closed it on Feb 2016 due to

losing money in its operations.

Is one of the leading angel investors in Turkey and is also the

founder of Aslanoba Capital, a venture capital firm that invests

in early-stage technology companies pursuing disruptive ideas

in areas such as marketplaces, e-commerce, mobile, and SaaS.


Why I Classify the

Person as a

Successful

Entrepreneur

Followings are the abilities of Hasan Aslanoba and these made

him a successful person, in my opinion:


Strong vision and leadership

Risk taking

Serial reformer


Self-belief

Know how to sell

Constantly learning

Harness technology

Take what they do seriously





Major

Accomplishment(s)

and Key

Determinants of

Person’s Success

After Erikli became the market leader, in 2006, led Erikli to a

merger with Nestle Waters Turkey and then became the CEO

and the local share holder of the JV.

Aslanoba Capital, owned and managed by Hasan Aslanoba,

made 75 angel or VC investments to internet based startups

and to even some funds, mostly targeting Turkish market.

Manage the growing Webnak, a B2B shipping marketplace for

SMEs and truck drivers.

Made over 30 investments so far.

Introduced innovative internet-based business models.

References https://www.linkedin.com/in/hasanaslanoba

http://www.aslanobacapital.com/team-members

https://www.crunchbase.com/person/hasan-aslanoba#/entity


2.2.3. Founder

Name Nevzat Aydın

Country Turkey

Brief Description

about the Person

Following graduation from Boğaziçi University Department of

Computer Engineering, went to the United States where

received MBA at the University of San Francisco in the

Silicon Valley.

Followed the latest developments on e-trade before he returned

back to Turkey in 2000 to launch his project yemeksepeti.com.

Serving as the CEO of yemeksepeti.com today, Nevzat Aydın

has introduced a brand new dimension to e-trade in Turkey.

Member of the Young Entrepreneurs Supreme Board of the

Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey and

a Founding Member of Galata Business Angels.

Why I Classify the

Person as a

Successful

Entrepreneur

Knew to share the benefits with team members, and this led to

much more impact than no one can imagine.

Followings are the abilities of Nevzat Aydın and these made

him a successful person, in my opinion:




Rule-breaking

Self-belief

Know how to sell

Harness technology







Major

Accomplishment(s)

and Key

Determinants of

Person’s Success

In 2007, Yemeksepeti.com was selected the “Endeavor

Entreprenur” by Endeavor Turkey.

Founders was selected as the “Most Successful Turkish Young

Entrepreneur” by the CNBC-e Business magazine in 2010 for

successful work since the foundation of yemeksepeti.com.

Was one of the 150 entrepreneurs invited from all over the

world to the Entrepreneurship Summit held by US President

Barack Obama on 26-27 April 2010.

Won the first prize in 2011 in the “Male Entrepreneur of the

Year” category at the “Businesspeople of the Year” survey

conducted by the Ekonomist magazine among nearly 3,000

businesspeople.

Was among the speakers at the DLD (Digital-Life-Design)

Conference, which is deemed as one of the most prestigious

conferences of the world with its content on innovation and

developments in the digital world.

The company does over 3 million transactions a month.

After Nevzat Aydın sold his online food ordering company

Yemeksepeti for a whopping $589 million to Delivery Hero,

he gave his employees a generous surprise, and Aydın carved

out $27 million for his 114 employees and give each of them a

slice.

The company’s $589 million acquisition marked the biggest

deal of its kind to date for a Turkish tech firm.

The company now claims 370 employees and deliveries of

over 3 million meals per month.

References http://newsroom.mastercard.com/people/nevzataydin

http://www.businessinsider.com/ceo-nevzat-aydn-shares-27-

million-with-employees-after-selling-yemeksepeti-2015-7

http://endeavor.org/in-the-news/yemeksepeti-27-million-

employee-bonuses/


3. Conclusion

In addition to the points that I highlighted in previous parts, I want to underline following

points with respect to success of entrepreneurs. Successful entrepreneurs ought to poses

these following qualities, in my opinion.


o Entrepreneurs have a duty to love what they do. They should pose a constant

and deliberate passion and have relevant technical and managerial

confidence to attain the goals. If this condition is satisfied, then the more

chance the entrepreneurs will have regarding the success.


o Another trait for successful entrepreneurs is that they are completely aware

of the governing power of the customer. Customer is the ultimate purpose to

attain and sustain the success. Unless customers are well understood or

satisfied, any pertinent efforts will be waste of time and money.

Rule-breaking

o Successful entrepreneurs are the ones who not only think out of the box but

also aware of that actually there is no box. Rules are there to break for

successful entrepreneurs as they will create their own rules and routines

defined and refined by new or enhanced products (goods and/or services).


o Vision and future-orientation are still another qualities of successful

entrepreneurs as they do not only legitimately judge and manage the now,

but also have plans and strategies for tomorrow.

Know how to sell

o When comes to making money, exiting, and marketing, successful

entrepreneurs are also equipped with theory and practices for full

exploitation of all relevant instruments and tools.