Turkey's First Alternative Investment Center Launched in Collaboration with Esas Holding and Koç University
Foreks - KUES, Turkey's first alternative investment center, was established through a partnership between Koç University and Esas Holding. During the opening held at Koç University Rumelifeneri Campus, Ali Y. Koç, Vice Chairman of Koç Holding (IS:KCHOL), Ali Sabancı, Chairman of Esas Holding, Prof. Dr. Metin Sitti, Rector of Koç University, Çağatay Özdoğru, CEO of Esas Holding, and Dr. Uğur Çelikyurt, the center's director, met with industry representatives and faculty members.
KUES, operating within the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences and the Business Institute at Koç University, aims to contribute to doctoral, master's, and undergraduate specialization programs in alternative investments, raising awareness of alternative investments in Turkey, encouraging scientific research, developing quality human resources through academic programs, and becoming a globally recognized reference point.
In addition to generating data on alternative investments, KUES will host events and training for those interested in the field, facilitating an ecosystem that brings together academics, industry representatives, investors, policymakers, students, and graduates.
The Executive Board of the Koç University - Esas Alternative Investment Center includes Prof. Dr. Hakan Ürey, Vice Rector responsible for Research and Innovation at Koç University, Prof. Dr. Şuhnaz Yılmaz Özbağcı, Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Prof. Dr. Selva Demiralp, Director of the Koç University - TÜSİAD Economic Research Forum, Dr. Uğur Çelikyurt, Director of KUES, Dr. Sevcan Yeşiltaş, Deputy Director of KUES, Çağatay Özdoğru, CEO of Esas Holding, Dr. Mehmet Özkaya, CSO of Esas Holding, and Berrak Kutsoy, Director of Corporate Relations at Esas Holding.
Ali Y. Koç stated, “We believe the center will become a globally recognized reference point.” He emphasized the growing importance of innovation alongside entrepreneurship in economic development, expressing his conviction that alternative investments will shape the business world of the future. Regarding the opening of KUES, Ali Y. Koç remarked:
“We are aware of how valuable it is to reveal alternative investments through science-based research and to lay the groundwork for new business lines of the future. Together with our esteemed partner Esas Holding and its visionary leader, dear Ali Sabancı, we launched the foundation of Turkey's first Alternative Investments Center with this perspective. We aim to raise awareness of alternative investments in our country, which represent a significant portfolio size on a global scale, encourage scientific research, and develop quality human resources in this field through academic programs. Our center will facilitate an ecosystem targeting academics, industry representatives, investors, policymakers, students, and graduates. I sincerely believe our center, operating under the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences and the Business Institute, which hosts many valuable research and studies, will be recognized as a global reference point.”
Highlighting that visionary leaders have signed numerous principles in Turkey since the early years of the republic through investments, Koç Holding Vice Chairman Ali Y. Koç also remembered the late Vehbi Koç, founder of the Koç Group, and Hacı Ömer Sabancı, founder of Sabancı Holding.
Ali Sabancı: “The establishment of this center, which is a first in its field in Turkey, will be a significant turning point in our country's academic and investment worlds.”
Speaking at the press conference, Esas Holding Chairman Ali Sabancı stated, “As a globally operating financial investment company specialized in alternative investments with three offices worldwide, we are proud to collaborate with Koç University, one of Turkey's most prestigious universities, on such an important initiative. I wish KUES Alternative Investments Center to be beneficial to our country, the industry, academia, and the entire ecosystem. As Esas Holding transitioned from a Family Office to an asset management model, we wanted to share our experiences with the ecosystem and industry. The importance of collaboration between industry and academia has once again become evident in this effort. We believe that this collaboration will promote innovation, accelerate scientific and technological development, and contribute to social benefit and the country’s economic growth. The establishment of this center, a first in its field in Turkey, will be a significant turning point in our country's academic and investment worlds. The Koç University - Esas Alternative Investments Center will become a regional hub contributing to the global dialogue on alternative investment strategies. If we can effectively leverage this center as not just Esas Holding and Koç University but as the entire ecosystem, it can become one of the leading centers for alternative investments in the world,” he stated.
Prof. Dr. Metin Sitti: “We believe that the bridges established between science and the private sector can be transformed for the benefit of society.”
In his opening remarks, Koç University Rector Prof. Dr. Metin Sitti emphasized the importance of building bridges between the university and the private sector that add value to society. He expressed his happiness that Koç University's research power and scientific knowledge combined with Esas Holding's extensive experience in alternative investments. Regarding the objectives of this collaboration, Prof. Dr. Metin Sitti stated:
“We are an institution that prioritizes adapting our research beyond just theory and contributing to Turkey's social and economic development goals. This collaboration aims to bridge the gaps between theory and practice and enhance Turkey's competitiveness in this area.”
Prof. Dr. Metin Sitti continued, stating that Turkey has significant potential in the field of alternative investments, which is emerging as one of the most crucial financial instruments in today’s rapidly changing economic environment: “Our young and dynamic population, creative entrepreneurial spirit, and ability to integrate into global markets further enhance this potential. To capitalize on this opportunity, academia needs to take an active role in the field. Universities, with their scientific knowledge base and research infrastructure, can lead in creating policies that develop alternative investments and implementing new ideas in this area.”
Esas Holding CEO Çağatay Özdoğru: “KUES will strive to become a regional reference and a center of thought for the industry.”
Esas Holding CEO Çağatay Özdoğru remarked, “As a global multi-asset manager operating with three offices worldwide, we are excited and pleased to share our expertise in alternative investments with students, young professionals, and the entire ecosystem through the Koç University - Esas Alternative Investments Center. We have a distinct business model at Esas. It centers around entrepreneurship and innovation. We understand that this has a direct impact on our country's sustainable development. This center, realized through a strategic partnership between Koç University and Esas, stands out as the first of its kind in Turkey. Within this significant collaboration, we aim to establish innovative strategies for investment education and research in our country. KUES will continue its operations with the vision of being a regional reference and thought production center for the industry. Thanks to KUES's approach based on collaboration between academia and the private sector, the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical applications will be filled for our youth. As such collaborations increase, we sincerely believe that, just like our country, our youth will make their mark on the world with their high potentials.”
Dr. Uğur Çelikyurt: “Our reports will increase knowledge in alternative investments.”
During the opening presentation about KUES, center director Dr. Uğur Çelikyurt stated:
“Our vision is to be a globally recognized reference point for alternative investments in our region. In line with this vision, we believe that the training activities, academic research, and data-driven sector assessment reports we will conduct within KUES will enhance awareness and knowledge in alternative investments.”
“With the support of Esas Holding, we aim to showcase the innovative approach we value as Koç University in the field of alternative investments through KUES, making it a pioneering force in the development of the sector and shaping policies in a short time.”
Alternative Investments Creating a $22 Trillion Portfolio Globally
Alternative investment refers to types of investments that fall outside traditional investment instruments such as stocks, bonds, and derivative products, which investors can access through organized financial markets.
Investors who prefer the risk-return combination offered by these non-publicly traded assets, wishing to enhance their returns while bearing liquidity and term risk, and aiming to avoid regulatory pressure tend to include alternative assets in their portfolios. As of the end of 2023, alternative investments represent a global portfolio size of $22 trillion.
Although alternative investments can be riskier, they can help investors reduce their risks and achieve better long-term returns by providing portfolio diversification.