Turkey Named As Host Country For Fourth Annual Dell Women’s Entrepreneur Network Event

Dell announced today it will host the fourth annual Dell Women’s Entrepreneur Network (DWEN) conference in Istanbul, Turkey, June 2-4, 2013. The two-day, invitation-only event connects female founders, CEOs and leaders of high-growth businesses in some of the world’s top entrepreneurial marketplaces to share best practices and challenges and spotlight the positive impact women-owned businesses have on the global economy.

Current Network members and Dell chose Turkey for the 2013 event because it is one of the fastest-growing markets in the world, strategically located between Europe, the Middle East and Central Asia. Regulatory and taxation changes have fostered a culture of innovation and support for entrepreneurs and small businesses, resulting in an economic growth rate of nearly 9 percent in 2011 ⁱ.

“Dell is committed to accelerating the advancement of women globally by fostering entrepreneurship,” said Karen Quintos, Dell senior vice president and chief marketing officer. “Through our Network, Dell connects female entrepreneurs with the right technology as well as access to capital, networks and new markets. Globally the number of women entrepreneurs is growing, and we believe there is great potential for the Turkish female community as well as female entrepreneurs to access this growing market ⁱⁱ.”

The theme of next year’s event, “Pay it Forward,” focuses on how women can positively impact and reinvigorate entire communities by giving back to those in need. In Turkey, this call to “pay it forward” rings true as the creation of startups and small businesses, especially in the growing technology market, is seen as a force to stabilize employment and support continued growth. Turkey’s technological advancements are becoming internationally recognized and the country’s newly-created science and technology park, Teknopark Istanbul, is being touted by many as “The Next Silicon Valley.”

“Turkey has undergone a significant number of institutional reforms in recent years and as a result, the entrepreneurial climate is thriving. While accessing capital remains a challenge for Turkish entrepreneurs, microfinancing and levels of angel and venture capital investments show an upward trend, but there is still much that can be done to help Turkish female entrepreneurs reach their full potential,” said Didem Altop, managing director of Endeavor Turkey. “It is great that members of Dell’s Network have recognized the entrepreneurial spirit of Turkey. International events such as this play an important part in helping to inspire and motivate both our current and future generation of entrepreneurs.”

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