Sankonline

Sankonline calls itself a global corporate venture capital firm whose mission is to help founders build companies that improve how people live, work and play. It is owned by an industrial group based in Istanbul, and its investing is shaped by that parent's own interests.

Two funds with different rules

The firm separates its capital into two funds. The seed fund is for young frontier-technology start-ups whose field matches one of the parent group's own lines of business: health tech, energy, gaming or mobility. The main fund takes on conventional ventures at any point from early to mature, in any technology area. Blockchain and NFT-based games are named as one of the areas it has looked at.

What it expects from a founder

Applicants need a working minimum viable product, a business model that can scale and early proof that customers want it. The firm describes its sweet spot as digital, scalable and asset-light companies that have shown product-market fit and are raising seed, early-stage, pre-Series A, Series A or later funding. It says it does lead rounds, but only case by case, and it aims for a maximum stake of 20 percent depending on the company's stage.

Four sourcing fields

Its sourcing fields are energy technologies, mobility, gaming and food technology. Beyond these verticals the firm says the founding team is the essence of any venture, and it describes the people it wants as rule-breakers who aim to lead their category and as world-shapers building companies that change how people live today.

What sets it apart

The firm points to its network of committed partners and an integrated collaboration platform as its main difference from other investors. Portfolio companies receive funding, mentoring and introductions meant to speed up their growth.

How to apply

Founders are asked to send a business plan rather than a long pitch, and the firm prefers concise summaries of four to six pages that answer its key questions. As a matter of policy it does not sign non-disclosure agreements, though it states that nothing submitted will be shared outside the company without the founder's permission. Every plan that falls within its investment areas is reviewed, although volume may mean a wait for a reply.

Sankonline is a corporate venture capital firm, owned by an industrial group, that invests in startups building new technology. It works with founders who already have a minimum viable product, a scalable business model and first customer validation.

What Sankonline offers

• Seed fund: early-stage frontier-technology startups that fit the group's own verticals, such as health technology, energy, gaming and mobility.
• Main fund: more traditional ventures from early to later stages, across all areas of technology.
• Funding rounds: seed, pre-Series A, Series A and beyond, with lead roles decided case by case.
• Mentoring and connections: help entering the market, drawn from its partner network and shared collaboration platform.
• Sector focus: four sourcing fields: energy technologies, mobility, gaming and food technology.

Clients

The firm favours digital, scalable and asset-light companies that show product-market fit. It aims to hold no more than about a fifth of a company. Founders send a short business plan by email, and the firm does not sign non-disclosure agreements.

Key facts

• Structure: two funds with slightly different criteria
• Sector areas: energy, mobility, gaming, food technology, plus blockchain and NFT games