Unique Opportunities

Participants will discover new opportunities to collaborate with startups, investors, and institutions shaping innovation ecosystems across the OIC region.

Improving Skills

Through expert panels and discussions, participants will gain valuable insights on startup growth, investment readiness, and emerging technologies.

Growing Teams

Entrepreneurs and organizations will have the chance to meet talented founders and professionals working on transformative solutions.

Building Connections

The conference offers a unique environment where entrepreneurs, policymakers, and investors can establish meaningful connections and explore long-term partnerships.

Joining New Projects

The conference provides opportunities for cross-border collaboration, enabling participants to develop joint initiatives and innovative projects.

Learning From Best

Leading experts and experienced entrepreneurs will share their experiences and strategies for building successful ventures and sustainable innovation ecosystems.

9 am – 10 am

Day 1 Registration

10 am – 11:30 am

Opening Ceremony

Launching of the Ceremony

Recitation from the Holy Quran

The National Anthem and the Moment of Silence

Opening Remarks

1^st Panel Session

“Transforming Policy into Prosperity: Building an OIC-Wide Entrepreneurial Ecosystem”

This panel will explore how coordinated public policies, regional cooperation, and strategic partnerships can collectively strengthen a dynamic and inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem across the region. It will focus on how policy frameworks can move beyond regulation to become enablers of innovation, supporting startups, reducing structural barriers, and creating stronger opportunities for youth and women entrepreneurs.

The discussion will also highlight the importance of regional integration within the OIC, particularly in fostering cross-border collaboration, knowledge sharing, and harmonized support systems for entrepreneurs.

MODERATOR
Mr. Yahya Zakaria
Managing Director, Nasj Ventures

PANELISTS
Mr. Bekir Polat
Vice President, Investment & Finance Office of the Presidency of Türkiye

Mr. Cenk Uraz
Ambassador – Türkiye Permanent Representative to OIC

Dr. Hashim Hussein
Head, UNIDO ITPO – Bahrain

Mr. Wael Eldesouki Bedda
General Secretary – Salah Kamel Sustainable Entrepreneurship & Enterprise Development (SKSEED)

Coffee Break

Special Session: “Vision for the AI Era”

Mr. Sadullah Uzun

General Manager, National Technology and AI, Ministry of Industry and Technology of the Republic of Türkiye

Startup Booster

Lunch & Prayer

2nd Panel Session
“From Policy to Practice: Activating the OIC Startup Economy”

This panel will explore how effective policy frameworks can be translated into actionable initiatives that meaningfully strengthen the startup ecosystem across the region. The discussion will focus on how governments and institutions can move from strategy to implementation by enabling innovation, reducing barriers for entrepreneurs, and building supportive environments for early- stage ventures. Key themes include improving access to finance, strengthening startup infrastructure and fostering ecosystems that encourage experimentation and scale.

Special attention will be given to practical mechanisms that translate policy intent into action, including improved access to finance, simplified regulatory environments, and stronger innovation infrastructure.

A particular emphasis will be placed on enhancing regional collaboration within the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, with a focus on knowledge sharing, crossborder partnerships, and coordinated support mechanisms for entrepreneurs. Ultimately, the session aims to highlight practical pathways for turning policy intent into measurable impact, driving sustainable economic growth, youth empowerment, and a more connected startup economy across member states.

MODERATOR
Dr. Melih Turan
Deputy Director General, Macellan

PANELISTS
Dr. Damla Turan
Directory General for R&D Incentives, Ministry of Industry & Technology of the Republic of Türkiye

Dr. Muhammad Sharif
Director of Science and Environment – ICESCO

Mr. Motaz Abounq
CEO & Founder of Value Makers Studio

Dr. Ivan Sandjaja
Managing Director – GEN Indonesia

Coffee Break

3^rd Panel Session
“Funding the Future: Unlocking Investment Flows for Youth Ventures”

This panel will examine the evolving investment landscape for youth led ventures across the region, with a focus on improving access to finance and expanding opportunities for the next generation of entrepreneurs.

The discussion will bring together investors, policymakers, and ecosystem leaders to explore how capital canbe more effectively mobilized to support earlystage innovation, scale promising startups, and reduce financing gaps faced by young founders.

A key emphasis will be placed on developing innovative and sustainable funding models, strengthening investor–startup linkages, and fostering cros-border investment partnerships within the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Ultimately, the session aims to identify practical pathways for unlocking inclusive investment flows that drive youth empowerment, economic opportunity, and long-term regional growth.

MODERATOR
Ayman Ghoneam
CEO & Founder of AG’s DEV

PANELISTS
Mr. Murat Onuk
Managing Partner and CEO, Arz Portfolio

Mr. Abdulla Al-Naimi
Managing Director, Doha Business Consulting

Mr. M. Ali Ergin
Vice Chairman, RePie Investment Holding

Mr. Arham Merican
Managing Director, Sharlife Advisory

Closing Session: Wrap-Up and Reflections

9 am – 10 am

Day 2 Registration

10 am – 10:30 am

Exhibition & Networking

10:30 am – 11:30 am

4^th Panel Session
“From Startup to Scale-Up – Expanding Innovation Across Borders”

This panel will explore the critical transition from startup to scale up, focusing on how innovative ventures can successfully expand beyond national borders across the region. The discussion will examine the key enablers of scale, including access to regional and international markets, investment readiness, mentorship networks, and supportive policy environments that allow startups to grow sustainably and competitively.

Special attention will be given to the role of cross border collaboration within the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, highlighting how stronger ecosystem linkages can reduce fragmentation and unlock larger opportunities for entrepreneurs. Ultimately, the session aims to identify practical strategies for building scalable, interconnected entrepreneurial ecosystems that support long-term innovation-driven growth across member states.

MODERATOR
Mr. Muhammed Seyid Pehlivan
Expert, Technology Entrepreneurship Ministry of Technology and Industry of the Republic of Türkiye

PANELISTS
Mr. Burak Bağcı
Investment & Program Manager, Fizix

Mr. Fady Issawi
Founder – Globist Ventures

Mr. Yasin Kahramaner
Founder, Arksigner

Dr. Mona Nabil Demaidi
Chairwomen, Intersect Innovation Hub

11:30 am – 11:45 am

Coffee Break

11:45 am – 12:30 pm

Startup Booster

12:30 pm – 13:30 pm

5^th Panel Session
“Unlocking Capital for Growth: Financing Innovation Across the OIC”

This panel will explore how to broaden and deepen access to capital for innovative enterprises across the region, focusing on the structural and institutional factors that influence financing entrepreneurship. The discussion will go beyond traditional funding pathways to examine how financial ecosystems can be strengthened through improved risk -sharing mechanisms, better investor confidence, and more effective deployment of both public and private capital toward innovation-driven enterprises.

A key focus will be placed on building diversified and resilient financing models that can support enterprises at different stages of growth fromearly experimentation to expansion and Internationalization.

Panelists will also discuss how policy coordination, financial sector development, and ecosystem partnerships within the Organization of Islamic Cooperation can help unlock new sources of capital, reduce funding gaps, and ensure that innovation contributes to inclusive and sustainable economic growth across member states.

MODERATOR
Dr. Gökhan Alpen
Founder, Narfon

PANELISTS
Ms. Sahar Albazar
Representative, Harvard International Development Center, MENA

Mr. Yağız Karadeniz
Managing Partner, Domino Ventures

Mr. Aadam Sumer
Founder – London VC Network

Mr. Emre Yıldız
Founder, Octopus

13:30 pm – 14:30 pm

Lunch & Prayer

14:30 pm – 15:30 pm

6^th Panel Session
“Inclusive Entrepreneurship – Advancing Women in Entrepreneurial Ecosystems”

This panel will highlight the importance of building inclusiveentrepreneurial ecosystems where women have equal opportunities to participate, lead and succeed. It will explore the unique challenges women entrepreneurs face across the region, including access to finance, mentorship, networks, and supportive business environments, while also showcasing the significant contributions they already make to innovation, job creation, and economic development.

The discussion will focus on practical and effective ways to reduce barriers and create more enabling conditions for women-led ventures. This includes supportive policies, targeted financing mechanisms, capacity building initiatives, and stronger ecosystem partnerships within the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

Ultimately, the session aims to encourage a more inclusive and balanced entrepreneurial landscape where women can fully contribute to and benefit from innovation-driven growth across member states.

MODERATOR
Zeynep Coskun Koc
Principal Member of the Audit Committee, KADEM

PANELISTS
Dr. Heba AlAshry
Director-AAST Entrepreneurship Center

Ms. Ayse Asli Basak
Founder, Shipsider

Ms. Meriem Chehih
Chairwoman at Algerian Women Foundation

Dr. Noor Amy Ismail
Board Member – Wahed Investment

15:30 pm – 16:00 pm

Closing Session: Wrap-Up and Reflections

16 pm – 16:15 pm

Closing by the Master of the Ceremony