Consumer Engagement in
Food & Retail
FEB 2020 - FEB 2021
London + Istanbul










Sente, in partnership with the global food and retail company Yildiz Holding, is investing in early-stage startups with digital technologies that can help connect food and retail brands with their ever-evolving consumer community.
Starting in London in February 2020, we will select startups from around the world for the opportunity to work with international snacks, food and retail brands as well as the chance for a $50,000 - $75,000 investment (and the objective of a future follow-on investment of $250k+).
We are looking for early-stage startups with technologies in areas such as:

Marketing Tech
Campaign management, customer segmentation, consumer analytics, brand performance analytics, loyalty platforms

Retail Tech
Display optimization, in-store operations analytics, replenishment, omnichannel, digital assistants

Supply Chain Tech
Traceability, stock management, return management, route optimization

Consumer Experiences
VR/AR, photo ordering, interactive displays, smart & interactive packaging
The program agenda is as follows:
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Week 1 (Feb 10-14) will be in London as an intense, hands-on evaluation and refinement of startups’ business model for global scale-up and relevance for doing potential projects with major food & retail brands
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Weeks 2-5 will be remote, where teams will work with Sente and the Yildiz Holding innovation teams to refine the evaluation of their overall scale-up potential (e.g. technology, business model, unit economics, scale-up economics, competition and industry dynamics)
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All participants will then be invited to Istanbul for Week 6 (March 16-20), where they will participate in facilitated discussions with the corporate sponsor to plan for proofs of concept and pilot projects and investment opportunities
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A minimum of 3 startups after Week 6 will receive an investment of $50,000-$75,000 in return for equity shares, and will receive continued support from the Sente and Yildiz Holding teams, including connecting them with projects within the business and the potential for scale-up and/or follow-on investment.
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A follow-on investment budget of $250,000 is set aside as an option to invest in one or more startups in future rounds based on their success (at mutually agreed terms and valuation).
Other program terms:
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The program will pay for all accommodations in Week 1 (London) and Week 6 (Istanbul), as well as flights to/from London in Week 1. Startups will be responsible for their own transportation to Istanbul in Week 6 (but will have access to Sente's preferred rates with airlines, if applicable).
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There is no commitment from Yildiz Holding and its brands to proof-of-concept or pilot projects with any particular startup, but the program has executive-level sponsorship to work with earl-stage startups.
The Sente Team
Meet our Mentors

Huseyin Balci
Bizim Toptan CEO

Thibaut Eissautier
pladis Chief Procurement Officer

Mustafa Kurtcu
Sok Marketler
Project Manager

Sedat Yildirim
CEO, istegelsin

Mete Buyurgan
pladis President
Turkey, CA, Russia and Balkans

Gul Erol
Chief Information Officer,
Yıldız Holding

Tayfun Namdar
Director, Supply Chain & Plants
Yıldız Holding

Recep Caliskan
Deputy General Manager
Bizim Toptan

Oguzhan Gungordu
General Manager
G2M Exper

Mario Reis
pladis Chief Supply Chain Officer

Nazmi Civil
pladis Supply Chain VP

Veysel Hasanhocaoglu
Commercial Director,
Bizim Toptan

Bora Tanyel
Supply Chain Director
G2MEksper

Ugur Demirel
Sok Marketler CEO

Ziya Kayacan
Şok Marketler CFO

Asli Ozen Turhan
pladis Marketing Lead