Sigma Turkey Independent Research Society

What Sigma Turkey Independent Research Society does

Sigma Turkey Independent Research Society (SIGMA) is a non-governmental, independent civil society organization founded in 2009 in Ankara by Ahmet Doğan, who transitioned from an official role in defence and security-related government agencies to lead the platform. SIGMA operates as a research and dialogue organization rather than a technology vendor — it does not develop or offer proprietary technology products, APIs, or platforms — and delivers its value through curated, in-person programming.

SIGMA's offerings are organized around three interconnected service lines: Policy and Diplomacy Engagement (geopolitical analysis, strategic advisory to defence, security, and government sectors, cross-cultural diplomatic facilitation, and crisis communication); Media and Cultural Relations (strategic media advisory, cross-border cultural collaborations, civil dialogue forums, and media freedom advocacy); and Peace and Development Initiatives (educational workshops, human rights advocacy, research services, and non-profit consultancy). These are complemented by an annual lecture program — the 2024 Lecture Series covers eight specialized topic areas from geopolitical risk to counterterrorism — and a long-running portfolio of seminars, conferences, and informal social gatherings on Turkish foreign policy, Eastern Mediterranean energy, Eurasia doctrine, and global energy outlook. The organization primarily serves government, defence, and security officials; diplomats and foreign policy professionals; scholars, academia, and think tanks; civil society organizations and NGOs; and business professionals with regional geopolitical exposure.

Revenue mechanics rely on event participation, individual and corporate sponsorships, and bespoke consultancy engagements to defence and government clients. Specific pricing is not publicly disclosed and the founder is the main sponsor. Distribution is event-led and concentrated in Ankara, supported by organic digital channels (website, YouTube, X, LinkedIn, Instagram). Leadership is small and specialized: Ahmet Doğan as Founder and President, Dr. Hasan Yükselen as Director of Security & Strategic Studies, and Dr. Gülsüm Akbulut as Director of Global & Turkish Economic Studies.

Name

Sigma Turkey Independent Research Society

Legal name

SIGMA Türkiye Independent Research Society

Website

https://sigmaturkey.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

SIGMA Turkey Independent Research Society (SIGMA) is a non-governmental civil society platform founded in 2009 in Ankara, Turkey, hosting seminars, lectures, and conferences on geopolitics, defense, diplomacy, and security for government officials, diplomats, scholars, and regional civil society actors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Policy Research and Civil Society Consulting

NAICS

International Affairs (92812), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (541720)

SIC

International Affairs (9721)

akta.pro primary industry

Education Policy Research Institutes & Think Tanks (EDADADAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Economic Research, Statistics & Policy Advisory (BPADAMAJ), Industry & Sector Research (Syndicated/Custom) (BPAHALAE)

Keywords

• Policy research consulting
• Diplomatic engagement services
• Civil society platform
• International relations research
• Peace and development initiatives

Headquarters

HQ city

Ankara

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Event Participation and Sponsorships: SIGMA generates revenue through event organization, seminars, conferences, and lectures. The society accepts sponsorships from individuals and organizations, with founder Ahmet Doğan serving as the main sponsor of activities.
2. Consultancy Services: Provides strategic advisory services in international policy, diplomacy, media relations, and security matters to defence, security, and government sectors.

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

SIGMA Türkiye Independent Research Society is a non-governmental, independent civil-society platform that delivers strategic advisory, research, and dialogue-facilitating services in international policy, diplomacy, media relations, and security. It organizes seminars, conferences, lectures, workshops, and social gatherings in Ankara and the wider region, and runs a structured 2024 Lecture Series covering geopolitical risk, national security, cybersecurity, counterterrorism, and military strategy. Engagements are delivered to defence, security, and government officials, diplomats, scholars, NGOs, and business professionals across Türkiye and neighbouring regions.

Product overview

SIGMA Türkiye Independent Research Society operates as a unified civil society platform offering three interconnected service lines: Policy and Diplomacy Engagement, Media and Cultural Relations, and Peace and Development Initiatives. The organization complements its core services with a structured lecture series covering eight topic areas (geopolitical risk, national security, cybersecurity, counterterrorism, etc.) and a long-running projects program that includes seminars, conferences, lectures, courses, and social gatherings. These offerings collectively serve civil society, government, academia, and diplomatic communities in Turkey and the broader region.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Policy and Diplomacy Engagement Service line providing in-depth analysis and strategic advisory in international policy and diplomacy, facilitating cross-cultural diplomatic engagements and offering guidance on navigating complex geopolitical landscapes. It is targeted at defence, security, and government officials, diplomats, and foreign-policy professionals.
• Media and Cultural Relations Service line enhancing international understanding through transparent and effective communication, promoting cross-border cultural and media collaborations, and fostering civil-society engagement. It is intended for civil-society actors, media organisations, and partners seeking international partnerships.
• Peace and Development Initiatives Service line creating educational programs, workshops, and advocacy campaigns that contribute to regional stability and societal harmony, promoting peace, prosperity, and democratic values. It is aimed at non-profit organisations, civil-society actors, and advocacy partners.
• 2024 Lecture Series Structured annual lecture program delivered to professional audiences across eight security and policy topic areas, including geopolitical risk, national security, cybersecurity, counterterrorism, military strategy, and economic security. It is targeted at defence, security, and policy professionals, scholars, and business leaders.
• Projects and Activities Program Multi-decade program of social gatherings, seminars, conferences, lectures, and courses addressing policy, security, and societal topics, including Eastern Mediterranean energy and security, global geopolitical dynamics, Turkish foreign and security policy, fundamental human rights, democracy, Eurasia doctrine, and global energy outlook. It serves civil-society members, scholars, businesspeople, bureaucrats, and diplomats.
• Strategic Advisory and Consultancy Engagements Bespoke strategic advisory services delivered to government, defence, security, and civil-society clients, covering international policy, diplomacy, media relations, security matters, crisis management, and communication strategies, contracted on an engagement basis.

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Foreign Policy InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 January 2024SIGMA collaborates with the Foreign Policy Institute on seminar series, including the 'SIGMA + Foreign Policy Institute Seminar Series No:22' titled 'Foreign and Security Policy of Turkey in 2024' held in Ankara on January 23rd, 2024. Ahmet Doğan serves as former Board Member of Foreign Policy Institute, indicating an established relationship between the two organizations for joint events and knowledge sharing.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• ORSAM (Center for Middle Eastern Strategic Studies): Ankara-based think tank focused on Middle East, Caucasus, and Turkish foreign policy research. Closely comparable to SIGMA in both subject matter and the Ankara policy-research community it serves.
• TASAM (Turkish Asian Center for Strategic Studies): Istanbul-anchored think tank specializing in strategic studies, Eurasian affairs, and international relations. Comparable to SIGMA in delivering conferences, reports, and dialogue on regional security and Turkish foreign policy.
• EDAM (Centre for Economics and Foreign Policy Studies): Istanbul-based think tank producing research on Turkish foreign policy, economics, and security. Directly comparable to SIGMA's mix of policy research, events, and advisory services.
• TEPAV (Economic Policy Research Foundation of Turkey): Ankara-based policy research foundation producing analysis on economic, foreign, and security policy. Comparable to SIGMA in producing independent research and convening policy dialogue between government, academia, and business.
• SETA (Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research): Türkiye's largest and most well-funded think tank covering foreign policy, security, and political-economic research. Directly comparable to SIGMA in thematic focus (geopolitics, security, Turkish foreign policy) and audience (government, academia, media), but with materially larger institutional resources.
• Foreign Policy Institute (Ankara): Ankara-based institute focused on Turkish foreign and security policy. Directly comparable — and already an active SIGMA co-programming partner — sharing audience, subject matter, and Ankara-based events.
• Istanbul Policy Center (Sabancı University): University-affiliated policy research center covering Turkish foreign policy, security, and democratic governance. Comparable to SIGMA in bridging academic research with policy and civil society audiences.

Broad incumbents

• Chatham House: Global, London-based think tank on international affairs. Comparable to SIGMA as an established convener of governments, scholars, and business on international policy, albeit with materially larger scale and global reach.
• Atlantic Council: Washington-based policy institute covering global security, geopolitics, and economic policy. Comparable to SIGMA in event-driven convening and thematic coverage of regional security, though operating at a much larger institutional scale.

Regional players

• Center for Strategic Research (SAM), Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Government-affiliated research arm of the Turkish MFA producing reports on Turkish foreign policy and regional issues. Comparable subject matter to SIGMA but operates within a state institution in the same regional ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@sigmaturkiye
• Instagraminstagram.com/sigmaturkiye
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sigma-insight-turkey

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sigma Turkey Independent Research Society