Workup4Future 2nd Batch Demo Day: A Celebration of Impact-Driven Innovation

Workup4Future 2nd Batch Demo Day: A Celebration of Impact-Driven Innovation 🚀🌍

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Last week on April 17, the heart of Istanbul’s İş Kuleleri pulsed with entrepreneurial energy as the Workup4Future 2nd Batch Demo Day brought together founders, investors, corporates, and changemakers committed to building a more sustainable and inclusive future.

Backed by Türkiye İş Bankası and implemented by Tenity, Workup4Future supports early and growth stage startups tackling global challenges in climate action, sustainability, social equity, clean energy, disaster technologies, mobility, and impact-focused digital services. The program equips them with tailored mentorship, corporate partnerships, exposure, and funding opportunities—all aimed at helping them scale solutions that truly matter.

💡 This time, Demo Day took a slightly different shape. Rather than standalone pitches, the event embraced a dynamic panel format, allowing 7 selected startups to engage in real conversations, respond to thought-provoking questions, and share the “why” behind what they’re building. Spread across three thematic panels, the format offered a deeper, more intimate look into each startup’s mission and traction.

🎤 The day opened with powerful remarks by İzlem Erdem, Deputy General Manager and Sustainability Leader at Türkiye İş Bankası, setting the tone with a strong message on the bank’s commitment to meaningful innovation. Following her, Ceren Sayar, Digital Banking Division Manager, reflected on the journey of Workup4Future so far—sharing key moments, learnings, and aspirations for what’s to come.

And then, the panels began:

🌿 Panel 1: High-Impact Eco Solutions Moderated by Seçil Demir, Head of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Türkiye İş Bankası, the first session brought to light technologies that hold the potential to reshape our environmental footprint. The conversation was rooted in ambition and action—how can we go beyond incremental change to create truly scalable environmental impact?

🚚 Panel 2: Route Optimization Guided by Sabina Babayeva, Head of the Istanbul Hub at Tenity, the second session zoomed into the world of logistics and efficiency. With smart systems, data-driven decisions, and sustainability at the core, startups shared how route optimization is evolving from a cost-cutting tactic to a planet-positive strategy.

🤖 Panel 3: AI, Accessibility & Green Innovation Closing the day, Derya Yavuz, Manager of Entrepreneurship Programs & Ecosystem Relations, led a conversation that spanned from the ethical use of AI to building tech that truly includes everyone. The panel featured solutions that challenge conventional boundaries and reimagine what technology can do—when guided by empathy, accessibility, and a commitment to the climate.

Here are the remarkable startups that shared their visions on stage:

🔹 Cognitiwe – Uses AI and existing IP cameras to optimize shelf management, reduce waste, and boost profitability for retailers and FMCG vendors.

🔹 Corpowid – A digital accessibility widget that enhances website usability for users with epilepsy, dyslexia, visual impairments, cognitive challenges, and more.

🔹 ecoNow – A gamified lifestyle app that turns sustainability into a win for both people and businesses—making eco-friendly actions part of everyday life.

🔹 Kfobix – Offers durable superhydrophobic nanocomposite coatings and autonomous application systems to reduce icing and corrosion across energy infrastructures.

🔹 Rotamat – A cloud-based software that increases operational efficiency with real-time tracking, carbon footprint monitoring, and smart route optimization.

🔹 Zoi Environmental Technologies – Developer of BioGuy II, an award-winning wastewater treatment technology redefining environmental sustainability through efficient, scalable solutions.

🔹 Qavis – A quantum-powered SaaS platform solving last-mile delivery complexity through sustainable route optimization and intelligent decision-making.

🌟 Each of these ventures offered a glimpse into a better future—where innovation meets impact, and where scaling a business means scaling solutions for the planet and people.

We’re incredibly proud of this batch and grateful to all the mentors, panelists, partners, and guests who joined us to celebrate their progress.

🌱 This is just the beginning. Stay with us as we continue to support purpose-driven founders on their path to global impact.