Doğa Koleji

What Doğa Koleji does

Doğa Koleji, legally operating as İTÜ ETA Vakfı Doğa Koleji, is Turkey's largest private K-12 education network, founded in 2002 and headquartered in Ataşehir, İstanbul. It operates more than 100 campuses across 40+ Turkish cities and one campus in Northern Cyprus (Doğu Akdeniz, Gazimagusa), serving students from preschool (Anaokulu, ages 3-6) through high school (Lise, grades 9-12), with specialized tracks including Fen ve Teknoloji Lisesi (Science & Technology High School) and IB High School. The network is supported by a franchise/licensed-operator expansion model, sub-brands (Doğa Mini standalone preschool, Doğa Store for uniforms and merchandise), and proprietary academic programs (t-MBA Leadership Academy, CODEMATH methodology, Doğa BAP international science conference) plus a digital learning platform (Doğa'm Evimde, E-DOĞA).

The business is anchored in tuition and schooling fees paid annually across the K-12 grade levels, augmented by branded merchandise sales and examination/assessment fees from the Bursluluk Sınavı (scholarship placement exam, which attracted 201,183 candidates in January 2022) and the Online Akademik Değerlendirme Sınavı. Marketing combines direct-to-consumer campus enrollment via a 444 36 42 central line and online registration form with substantial earned-media presence on major Turkish television channels (Show TV, Habertürk, NTV, Bloomberg HT, CNN Türk, FOX TV) and flagship events including the t-MBA Zirvesi at Lütfi Kırdar and DOĞA TALKS speaker series. Competitive positioning rests on a stated university-preparation focus (LGS and YKS coaching), STEM/robotics programs with international competition success (VEX Robotics, FRC, TÜBİTAK), and a partnership ecosystem spanning İstanbul Bilgi Üniversitesi, Arizona State University, Haliç Üniversitesi, and ITU ETA Vakfı that supports K-12-to-doctorate articulation. The network disclosed 1.34 billion TRY revenue in 2018, ranking among Turkey's top 500 companies per Capital magazine, and is led by CEO Dr. İsmail Kızlıbay under Chairman Serhat Özeren, with publicly stated growth targets of 150 campuses and 150,000 students.

Name

Doğa Koleji

Legal name

İTÜ ETA Vakfı Doğa Koleji

Website

https://dogakoleji.k12.tr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Doğa Koleji is Turkey's largest private K-12 education network, operating 100+ campuses across 40+ cities and Northern Cyprus under the İTÜ ETA Vakfı, serving preschool through high school families via tuition, scholarship exams, and a digital learning platform.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private K-12 Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

International/Global Curriculum Schools (IB, Cambridge, etc.) (EDAJABAG)

Keywords

• K-12 private education
• Preschool education
• High school education
• University preparation
• IB diploma program

Headquarters

HQ city

Ataşehir (İstanbul)

HQ country

Türkiye

HQ region

Europe

Offices104 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Tuition and schooling fees: Core revenue is generated from tuition fees charged across all K-12 programs including Anaokulu (preschool), İlkokul (primary), Ortaokul (middle school), Lise (high school), Fen ve Teknoloji Lisesi (Science & Technology High School), and IB High School. Fee structures are grade-level dependent, with scholarships (Bursluluk Sınavı) providing up to 100% tuition coverage for qualifying students.
2. School uniforms and merchandise: Sales of branded school uniforms (uniformalar), PE kits, and accessories through the online store edogastore.com and on-campus sales points.
3. Examination and assessment fees: Revenue from administering the Bursluluk Sınavı (scholarship placement exam) and the Online Akademik Değerlendirme Sınavı (online academic evaluation exam).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Doğa Koleji is a private K-12 education network operating more than 100 campuses across Turkey and Northern Cyprus. It delivers preschool, primary, middle, and high school education programs, including specialized tracks such as Fen ve Teknoloji Lisesi (Science & Technology High School) and IB High School, complemented by the proprietary t-MBA Leadership Academy and digital learning platforms Doğa'm Evimde and E-DOĞA.

Product overview

Doğa Koleji is Turkey's largest K-12 private school network operating over 100 campuses across the country. The institution offers a comprehensive educational portfolio spanning preschool (Anaokulu) through high school (Lise), featuring specialized programs including Science and Technology High Schools (Fen ve Teknoloji Lisesi), International Baccalaureate (IB) High School, and the recently launched independent preschool brand Doğa Mini for ages 3-6. Supporting infrastructure includes t-MBA Leadership Academy for entrepreneurship education, the Doğa'm Evimde digital learning platform for distance education, E-DOĞA student portal, and Doğa Store for uniforms. The institution is organized under Can Eğitim Grubu with Istanbul Bilgi University affiliation, holding the ITU ETA Foundation brand.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Doğa Mini: Independent preschool/kindergarten brand for 3-6 age group, positioned as Turkey's preschool education pioneer.
• IB High School
• t-MBA Liderlik Akademisi
• Fen ve Teknoloji Lisesi
• Doğa Store
• E-DOĞA
• Doğa'm Evimde

Products and services

• Doğa Koleji K-12 Education Full-time private K-12 education delivered through preschool (Anaokulu/Doğa Mini), primary (İlkokul), middle (Ortaokul), and high school (Lise) programs at 100+ campuses, designed for Turkish families seeking academic, bilingual, and STEM-focused schooling.
• Doğa Mini

Quantifiable outcome

• 11 students ranked 1st in Turkey in LGS 2026 entrance exam
• +9 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• İstanbul Bilgi Üniversitesi (Bilgi University)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDoğa Koleji was acquired by Can Eğitim Grubu, which also owns İstanbul Bilgi University. This created a K-12 to doctorate educational ecosystem spanning preschool through higher education. Bilgi University's 248-year İTÜ academic tradition was cited as a key differentiator. Bilgi University also provides academic support to Doğa Koleji through joint events (BİLGİ-Doğa toplantısı, Cumhuriyet Balosu at Enerji Müzesi), research mentorship for students, and a roadmap for implementing ASU's K-12 education model.
• Arizona State University (ASU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDoğa Koleji entered a collaboration with Arizona State University (ASU), one of the leading US universities, to develop a new K-12 education model. ASU's K-12 educational framework inspired Doğa Koleji's new educational structure, with the goal of providing dual-diploma opportunities and international pathways for students. The collaboration was announced in August 2022 and involves Bilgi University as a coordinating partner in developing the academic roadmap.
• Haliç Üniversitesi (Haliç University)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA strategic cooperation protocol was signed between Doğa Koleji and Haliç University covering education, research, career development, and social responsibility areas. The agreement was announced in late 2025.
• İTÜ ETA Vakfı (İstanbul Technical University ETA Foundation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistorically, Doğa Koleji operated as 'İTÜ ETA Vakfı Doğa Koleji' (ITU ETA Foundation Doğa Koleji), with ITU's academic foundation embedded in its brand identity. İTÜ professors serve as academic mentors, guest lecturers, and research advisors. İTÜ Rektörü Prof. Dr. İsmail Koyuncu visited the school in 2021. ITU's 248 years of academic tradition is leveraged for student projects, TÜBİTAK research mentorship, and FRC robotics team support.
• TÜBİTAKcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDoğa Koleji students regularly participate in TÜBİTAK competitions (2204-A Lise Öğrencileri Araştırma Projeleri, 2204-B Ortaokul Öğrencileri Araştırma Projeleri, 53. Lise Öğrencileri Araştırma Projeleri Yarışması) and the school has produced national champions and international qualifiers. TÜBİTAK Başkanı Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal appeared as a guest speaker at Doğa Koleji's t-MBA Girişimcilik ve İnovasyon Seminerleri.
• NASA / ESA — Astronot Andre Kuipers Uzay SergisiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDoğa Koleji was the education sponsor of the NASA Space Exhibition in Turkey. ESA astronaut Andre Kuipers met with Doğa Koleji students as part of this program, which visited Istanbul in 2021.
• Erasmus+ PATHWAYS Project ConsortiumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDoğa Koleji participates in the Erasmus+ PATHWAYS project, hosting student and teacher exchanges with partner schools including Deutsche Schule Athen (Athens, Greece). Focus areas include environmental sustainability, climate action, and active citizenship.
• Stevie AwardsminorOthersDoğa Koleji's Doğa'm Evimde platform was awarded the Bronze Stevie Award (3rd place) in the 'Best IT Department of the Year' category at the 18th Stevie International Business Awards, recognizing digital transformation in education.
• IDC (International Data Corporation)minorOthersIDC recognized Doğa Koleji with the CIO Awards 2021 in the 'Future of Work / Borderless Organization' category and named the Doğa'm Evimde platform a finalist in the Best of Future of Digital Innovation Award 2021 competition.
• Satranç Federasyonu (Chess Federation)minorOthersDoğa Koleji collaborated with the Turkish Chess Federation and Karaman Provincial Directorate of National Education to donate 3,350 chess books to 182 schools, supporting chess education across Turkey.
• Orman Yangınlarıyla Mücadele Hizmetlerini Destekleme Vakfı (Forest Fire Combat Support Foundation)minorOthersDoğa Koleji t-MBA students donated to the foundation following the Hatay wildfires, demonstrating social responsibility initiatives.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Özel Enka Okulları: Industrial-group-affiliated (Sabancı/Enka) private K-12 institution with strong STEM and university-prep positioning, similar Bursluluk Sınavı scholarship pathways, and a comparable IB/American program offering for premium segments.
• MEF Okulları: Istanbul-based private K-12 network with strong IB and national curriculum programs, multi-campus presence, and similar Bursluluk-based scholarship model. Competes directly for the same Turkish urban private school demographic.
• Özel Hisar Okulları: Established Istanbul-based private K-12 school with strong IB diploma program, STEM emphasis, and university-prep orientation. Comparable in premium positioning, IB offering, and international pathway focus.
• Bahçeşehir Koleji: Turkey's other large-scale private K-12 network with similar multi-city campus footprint, foundation/Koç-affiliated ownership, IB and national curriculum tracks, and Bursluluk Sınavı-style scholarship intake. Most directly comparable competitor to Doğa Koleji in scale and positioning.
• Özel FMV Okulları (Ayazağa Işık Okulları): FMV Foundation-operated private K-12 institution with strong STEM, IB, and university-prep programs. Comparable foundation structure and aspirational positioning to Doğa Koleji.
• Bilfen Okulları: Major Turkish private K-12 chain with national campus presence, scholarship exam model, and Anaokulu through Lise coverage. Direct competitor for Turkish private school families across major cities.
• Uğur Okulları: Large-scale Turkish private K-12 chain with broad multi-city presence, scholarship exam intake, and Anaokulu through Lise coverage. Competes for similar mid-market private school families with Bursluluk-style discounts.
• Özel Koç Okulu: Premium private K-12 school operated by the Koç Foundation with strong STEM, leadership, and university-prep orientation. Comparable in parent-group backing, foundation structure, and aspirational positioning.

Broad incumbents

• Nord Anglia Education: Global premium private K-12 network with university partnerships (similar in spirit to Doğa Koleji's ASU/Bilgi articulation strategy), IB emphasis, and STEM/programmatic differentiation. Relevant benchmark for what a Turkish K-12 network could become at international scale.
• GEMS Education: Global K-12 private school operator and pre-K provider with international curriculum focus. Comparable in private K-12 scale, premium tuition model, and franchise/operating-partner growth approach; relevant benchmark for cross-border expansion potential.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat7 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/DogaOkullari
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/DogaOkullari
• Facebookfacebook.com/DogaOkullari
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/DogaOkullari
• Instagraminstagram.com/DogaOkullari

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Subsidiaries5 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 Doğa Koleji