ODTÜ 70th Anniversary Venture Capital Investment Fund
From Investment to Lasting Value
ODTÜ70 is built on a long-term, cyclical model of value creation inspired by the endowment approach of the world’s leading universities.
It aims to turn the scientific and technological capacity of the METU ecosystem into successful ventures and economic value — and to channel that value back into science, technology, entrepreneurship and future generations across the METU ecosystem.
“From knowledge to technology, from technology to economic value, from economic value back to science.”
Fund at a glance
- Minimum investment (ticket size)
- USD 50,000
- METU ecosystem vs. strategic opportunities outside it
- 70% / 30%
- Small, mid-size and large-scale investment split
- 10% · 50% · 40%
- Fund term, including the liquidation period
- 10 years
Percentages describe the targeted portfolio allocation; the final split may vary with the opportunity set.
The Value Cycle
A closed loop, a compounding endowment
We support the transformation of the scientific knowledge, engineering capability and entrepreneurial capacity of the METU ecosystem into companies that create value globally. Our aim is a sustainable value cycle in which the economic value generated by successful investments returns, over the long term, to science, technology and future generations within the METU ecosystem.
METU Ecosystem
The scientific capacity of academics, alumni, students and ODTÜ TEKNOKENT companies.
Founders
Founding teams turning that capacity into defensible technology.
ODTÜ70 Investment
Capital, strategic guidance and ecosystem access, offered together.
Global Growth
Technologies born in Türkiye scaling in international markets.
Investment Returns
Value from successful exits flowing back into the METU ecosystem.
What is a VCIF?
Venture Capital Investment Fund
A Venture Capital Investment Fund (VCIF) is a vehicle established under Capital Markets Board regulations that directs qualified investors’ capital toward ventures with high growth potential.
ODTÜ70 combines that structure with METU’s seventy years of scientific and engineering depth. Our investments strengthen the entrepreneurship ecosystem while directing part of the value created back into METU over the long term.
Review the fund structureOur Strategy
The three pillars of our investment strategy
- 01
Early-Stage Venture Pipeline
Build a broad venture pipeline that lays the groundwork for later stages.
- Identify and validate venture ideas across the METU ecosystem
- Support product development and first customers through smaller investments
- 02
Growth Financing
Support the growth journey of ventures and create sustainable value.
- Address the most significant financing gap in the METU ecosystem
- Support the scaling of ventures with proven product–market fit
USD 2–5 million
- 03
Co-Investments and Follow-on Support
Strengthen long-term fund returns by backing successful ventures.
- Sustain growth through follow-on investments in successful portfolio companies
- Make opportunity-driven investments in ventures that have reached growth stage
Why ODTÜ70?
A partnership that brings more than capital
Seventy years of METU heritage
As a pioneer of science, technology and entrepreneurship in Türkiye, METU carries a culture of knowledge and innovation into the future.
Investing in the METU ecosystem
Supporting innovative ventures emerging from academics, alumni founders, METU programmes and ODTÜ TEKNOKENT.
Investing with the METU ecosystem
An expert pool formed with METU alumni, academics and ODTÜ TEKNOKENT companies adds depth to every evaluation.
Global scaling potential
METU’s extensive alumni and collaboration network accelerates ventures’ access to international markets.
Sustainability and long-term value
Contributions to the METU Development Foundation and a long-term fund structure create lasting resources for the ecosystem.
One ecosystem, dedicated paths for different needs
For founders
Turn your technology into a global company
Discover an investment approach that offers strategic guidance, domain expertise and access to the METU ecosystem alongside capital.
For investors
Participate in the long-term value of the technology economy
Request information on the fund structure, investment thesis, governance framework and qualified investor process.
How to Apply
Choose the route that fits you
Founder, investor and mentor applications run as separate flows, so you only answer the questions that concern you.
Investor enquiry
Request information on the fund structure and process as a qualified investor.
Mentor application
Share your experience with the ventures in the ODTÜ70 portfolio.
Our Partners
The institutions behind the fund
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions
If you cannot find the answer you need, email us at team@metu.vc
What is the ODTÜ70 fund and who established it?
The ODTÜ70 Venture Capital Investment Fund draws on METU’s seventy-year legacy of innovation. Established through the collaboration of ODTÜ TEKNOKENT and Maxis Girişim Sermayesi Portföy Yönetimi A.Ş., it invests in technology ventures with high growth potential.
What is the legal structure of the fund?
The fund is a Venture Capital Investment Fund (VCIF) established under Capital Markets Board (CMB) legislation and managed by Maxis Girişim Sermayesi Portföy Yönetimi A.Ş. Türkiye İş Bankası A.Ş. acts as portfolio custodian.
What is your minimum ticket size?
The minimum investment amount (ticket size) is USD 50,000.
Do you focus only on projects from the METU ecosystem?
Approximately 70% of investments are targeted to come from the METU ecosystem (academics, alumni founders, METU programmes and ODTÜ TEKNOKENT companies), and 30% from strategic opportunities outside the ecosystem that align with the fund’s investment vision and carry high impact potential.
Does ODTÜ70 target a specific investment stage or an average ticket range?
ODTÜ70 maintains a balanced focus across stages: approximately 10% of the fund is planned for small-scale early-stage ventures, 50% for mid-size investments and 40% for large-scale co-investment opportunities and follow-on rounds.
In which currency is the fund tracked?
The fund’s target size and investments are tracked in US dollars (USD).
What is ODTÜ TEKNOKENT’s role in managing the fund?
ODTÜ TEKNOKENT supports the fund by connecting it with qualified ventures through its entrepreneurship programmes, technology companies and ecosystem network, and by developing relationships across the entrepreneurship ecosystem.
What is Maxis’s role in managing the fund?
Maxis Girişim Sermayesi Portföy Yönetimi A.Ş. is the founder and manager of the fund under CMB regulations and is responsible for managing the portfolio in line with applicable legislation, the issuance document and the fund issuance agreement.
Grow with the ventures of the future
ODTÜ70 offers founders capital and a strategic partnership, and offers investors access to the long-term value of the technology economy.