On December 12, 2016, at the #21olsaydım event, the first cohort of 21 Fellows of the YBL21 program by Yeni Bir Lider Derneği (YBL — “A New Leader Association”) was introduced. Our Managing Partner Erdem Mümtaz Hacıpaşaoğlu was selected as one of the 21 Fellows out of 3,487 applications.

The central thesis of the program was clear: identifying the leaders of the 21st century at an early age, connecting them with pioneering figures and institutions, and accelerating that leadership journey through individual mentorship, a mini-MBA and an international business trip.

What the YBL21 program covers

Fellows go through a six-module mini-MBA program delivered by Linkage Turkey, take part in an international business trip, are matched with a career mentor and have their development tracked alongside a career coach.

The mentor panel and launch

At the launch event, Ali Sabancı (Pegasus), Cansen Başaran-Symes (TÜSİAD), Mehmet Göçmen, Burak Aydın (Intel Türkiye), İzzet Garih and Tansu Yeğen met the Fellows; each Fellow was matched with a mentor.

Highlights from this selection

  • Selection: 21 Fellows out of 3,487 applications
  • Program: Mini-MBA, international business trip, mentor matching
  • Mentors: Ali Sabancı, Cansen Başaran-Symes, Burak Aydın, and more

Author

  • Erdem Mümtaz Hacıpaşaoğlu

    Mümtaz is the Managing Partner of Vircon Legal, which he founded in 2016. He advises founders, investors and operators on financing rounds, M&A, cross-border incorporations and regulated verticals — including crypto-asset infrastructure, fintech and games — bringing a former startup founder's perspective to every engagement.

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Published: 12 December 2016
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws and practices may have changed since the publication date. For specific situations, please consult Vircon Legal.
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