KAGİDER Women Entrepreneurs Association of Turkey

What KAGİDER Women Entrepreneurs Association of Turkey does

KAGİDER (Türkiye Kadın Girişimciler Derneği) is a non-profit civil society organization founded in 2002 and headquartered in the Şişli district of Istanbul, with 88 employees. Its core function is to support women entrepreneurs across Turkey through a membership-based platform that delivers mentorship (KAGİDER Mentor Hub), training cohorts (Geleceğin Kadın Liderleri, İyi İşler Programı), networking events (monthly breakfast meetings), and the long-running annual Türkiye'nin Kadın Girişimcisi Yarışması competition (now in its 19th year). The organization also runs the Fırsat Eşitliği Modeli (FEM) certificate program — a workplace gender-equality certification co-developed with Sabancı University's Corporate Governance Forum, the World Bank, PwC and EY, with 42 companies certified to date.

The business model is non-commercial: KAGİDER operates as a Turkish 'dernek' funded through membership fees, project grants, and corporate sponsorships rather than equity investment or product revenue. Its go-to-market is community-and-policy-led, anchored by an active blog, e-newsletter, monthly events, and representation in international forums (W20, FCEM, UN CSW, EU-Turkey Joint Consultative Committee) where its President serves as W20 Turkey Delegation Head. Strategic partnerships with TÜRKONFED, KOSGEB, TOBB, EBRD, Garanti BBVA, Polat Enerji, Sanofi Türkiye, Habitat Derneği, and the European Commission extend its reach into financing, training, certification, and advocacy channels. Recent activity signals — including an Applied AI Workshop for members and a 2025 social-return-on-investment report covering 2020–2025 — point to gradual digital and impact-measurement maturation rather than a technology-product pivot.

Name

KAGİDER Women Entrepreneurs Association of Turkey

Legal name

Türkiye Kadın Girişimciler Derneği (KAGİDER)

Website

https://kagider.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

KAGİDER is a Turkish non-profit association founded in 2002 that supports women entrepreneurs across Turkey through mentorship, training cohorts, networking events, an annual competition, and a gender-equality workplace certification, funded by memberships, grants, and corporate sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Women Entrepreneurship Support Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Training Delivery Providers (In-Person, Virtual, Train-the-Trainer) (BPACANAM)

akta.pro secondary industry

Entrepreneurship, Business & Innovation Camps (EDAMALAL)

Keywords

• Women entrepreneurship support
• Gender equality certification
• Business mentorship programs
• Women entrepreneur network
• SME development services

Headquarters

HQ city

Istanbul

HQ country

Türkiye

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

KAGİDER is a membership-based non-profit civil society organization that supports women entrepreneurs in Turkey through advocacy, networking events, mentorship programs, training workshops, and a proprietary gender equality certification. Its portfolio includes the KAGİDER Mentor Hub, the Geleceğin Kadın Liderleri (Future Women Leaders) program, the İyi İşler Programı, Momentum ButCamp, Applied AI workshops, monthly breakfast meetings, the annual Türkiye'nin Kadın Girişimcisi Yarışması competition, and the Fırsat Eşitliği Modeli (FEM) certificate program.

Product overview

KAGİDER (Türkiye Kadın Girişimciler Derneği - Turkey Women Entrepreneurs Association) is a civil society organization focused on empowering women through entrepreneurship. Rather than a technology product company, KAGİDER offers a portfolio of services including a membership platform, various entrepreneurship support projects (such as the Geleceğin Kadın Liderleri Program and İyi İşler Program), networking events, mentorship programs (KAGİDER Mentor Hub), the annual Türkiye'nin Kadın Girişimcisi Yarışması competition, the Fırsat Eşitliği Modeli certificate program developed with World Bank support, a knowledge bank with reports and publications, and the KAGİDER Blog featuring business and economic content.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• KAGİDER Membership
• Fırsat Eşitliği Modeli (FEM) Certificate Program
• KAGİDER Mentor Hub
• Geleceğin Kadın Liderleri (GKL) Program
• Türkiye'nin Kadın Girişimcisi Yarışması
• İyi İşler Programı (Good Works Program)
• Momentum ButCamp
• Applied AI Workshop (Uygulamalı Yapay Zeka Workshop)
• KAGİDER Genç (Young KAGİDER)
• KAGİDER Global International Platform

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• TÜRKONFED (Turkish Enterprise and Business Confederation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKAGİDER collaborates closely with TÜRKONFED on initiatives such as 'Girişimde Kadın Gücü - İlham Buluşmaları' (Women Power in Entrepreneurship - Inspiration Meetings). TÜRKONFED is a confederation of Turkish enterprise and business associations, making this partnership strategically important for advocacy and policy influence at the national level.
• Sabancı University Corporate Governance ForumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSabancı University's Corporate Governance Forum provides advisory services for KAGİDER's Fırsat Eşitliği Modeli (FEM) Certificate Program, which assesses companies on gender equality criteria. The program evaluates companies across hiring, promotion, compensation, and internal/external communication practices.
• World BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe World Bank provided technical support for the development of KAGİDER's Fırsat Eşitliği Modeli (FEM) certificate program in collaboration with PwC and EY. This partnership enhances the credibility and impact of the gender equality certification.
• Hırvatistan Kadın Girişimci Derneği KRUG (Croatian Women Entrepreneurs Association)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKAGİDER and KRUG entered into a global cooperation agreement to promote women's entrepreneurship across borders. The partnership involves mutual participation in events and activities supporting women entrepreneurs in both countries.
• W20 (Women 20)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKAGİDER participates in W20 as a key stakeholder group focused on women's economic empowerment within the G20 framework. KAGİDER's President serves as W20 Turkey Delegation Head, representing Turkish women entrepreneurs in global economic policy discussions.
• Avrupa İmar ve Kalkınma Bankası (EBRD - European Bank for Reconstruction and Development)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKAGİDER participates in EBRD-related events and initiatives as a member, contributing to discussions on women's economic empowerment and access to finance for women entrepreneurs.
• FCEM World Women Entrepreneurs CongresscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKAGİDER is a member of FCEM (Femmes Chefs d'Entreprises Mondiales), participating in the World Women Entrepreneurs Congress. This provides Turkish women entrepreneurs with access to a global network of women business leaders.
• Habitat DerneğiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKAGİDER collaborates with Habitat Derneği and GEN Türkiye in coordination activities, including participation in events related to women's economic participation and entrepreneurship support.
• Polat Enerji (Polat Energy)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKAGİDER partnered with Polat Enerji to implement the Armadis Kadın (Armadis Women) project, supporting women entrepreneurs in the energy sector and related industries.
• Türkiye İş Bankası (Türkiye İş Bank)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKAGİDER collaborated with Türkiye İş Bankası and TÜRKONFED on the 'Yeniden İnşa: Dayanıklılık ve Kalkınma' (Rebuilding: Resilience and Development) initiative, supporting women's economic recovery and development.
• Garanti BBVAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKAGİDER partnered with Garanti BBVA in organizing events such as entrepreneurship programs in collaboration with Bursa Ticaret ve Sanayi Odası, supporting women entrepreneurs' access to finance and business development services.
• KOSGEB (Küçük ve Orta Ölçekli İşletmeleri Geliştirme ve Destekleme İdaresi Başkanlığı)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKAGİDER collaborates with KOSGEB (Small and Medium Enterprises Development Organization) on support programs for women entrepreneurs, including training, mentoring, and access to government support programs. KOSGEB provides small business development support through various programs that benefit KAGİDER members.
• Sanofi TürkiyeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKAGİDER has partnered with Sanofi Türkiye on initiatives supporting women entrepreneurs, contributing to capacity building and empowerment programs.
• European Commission / EU InstitutionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKAGİDER maintains active engagement with European Commission through various EU programs. The association participates in EU-Turkey Joint Consultative Committee meetings and has representation in Brussels, facilitating access to EU funding programs for women entrepreneurs in Turkey.
• TOBB (Türkiye Odalar ve Borsalar Birliği)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKAGİDER collaborates with TOBB on advocacy and policy initiatives for women entrepreneurs, leveraging TOBB's network of chambers of commerce and industry across Turkey.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• WEConnect International: Global membership-based network connecting women-owned businesses to corporate supply chains. Directly comparable to KAGİDER as a women-entrepreneurs association offering certification, networking, and corporate matchmaking, but operating at a much larger global scale.
• Cherie Blair Foundation for Women: UK-based foundation focused on women entrepreneurs in developing/emerging markets. Similar in mission and target segment to KAGİDER, with adjacent programs (mentorship, training, access to finance) and a broader international footprint.

Direct peers

• National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO): U.S. membership-driven advocacy and networking organization for women entrepreneurs. Comparable to KAGİDER on mission, advocacy focus, peer mentorship, and education programming, with a more national scale.
• FCEM (Femmes Chefs d'Entreprises Mondiales): Global federation of women entrepreneurs' associations. KAGİDER is a member of FCEM and participates in its World Congress; FCEM is the parent / counterpart network linking national women-entrepreneur associations like KAGİDER across countries.
• Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC): U.S. nonprofit providing certification (WBE) and corporate integration for women-owned businesses. Closely analogous to KAGİDER's FEM certificate program, mentorship, and corporate partnership model, but focused on the U.S. market.

Others

• International Trade Centre - SheTrades: UN-linked initiative connecting women entrepreneurs to markets and trade opportunities. Comparable to KAGİDER's export-support and international networking functions, but operating as a global platform rather than a national association.

Regional players

• TÜRKONFED (Turkish Enterprise and Business Confederation): Turkish confederation of business associations and a core KAGİDER partner on joint programs (e.g., 'Girişimde Kadın Gücü'). Comparable as a domestic policy-advocacy platform for SMEs, with a broader (not women-only) membership base.
• MÜSİAD (Independent Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association): Large Turkish business association providing advocacy, training, and networking for SMEs. Comparable to KAGİDER on domestic policy advocacy and capacity-building events, though serving a broader (not women-only) constituency.

Emerging players

• Endeavor Turkey: Turkish arm of global high-impact entrepreneurship support network. Overlaps with KAGİDER on mentoring and scaling advice for entrepreneurs, though Endeavor focuses on high-impact founders rather than women-specific programming.
• Women in Tech (Global): Global nonprofit promoting women's participation in technology and entrepreneurship. Comparable to KAGİDER's Applied AI workshops and digital upskilling programs, with a thematic (technology) rather than geographic focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/kagider
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kagider

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about KAGİDER Women Entrepreneurs Association of Turkey