DenizBank’s NEOHUB and Oxentia launch TRUK accelerator programme to support the global expansion of sustainability-focused startups
Nine-month long accelerator to initially support startups in Türkiye and subsequently facilitate global expansion in the UK, guided by Oxentia
Dubai, UAE, 15 December 2023: NEOHUB, the new generation subsidiary of DenizBank, a fully owned subsidiary of Emirates NBD Group, announced at COP28 their partnership with Oxford’s global innovation consultancy, Oxentia, to establish the TRUK Accelerator. This is an international initiative dedicated to the support and expansion of sustainability-focused startups.
The accelerator programme will provide participating startups with a comprehensive and practical support including partnering, networking, tailored guidance and the opportunity to pitch for investment. Over its nine-month duration, the programme commences with local support in Türkiye and then expands their global perspective to the UK and beyond. The accelerator programme is divided into two distinct phases – an initial four-month phase based in Türkiye, primarily led by local mentors, and a subsequent five-month phase where Oxentia, headquartered in the UK, will support their international growth.
The TRUK Accelerator programme was formally announced at a panel session at COP28, hosted at the Emirates NBD Showcase Stand, followed by a signing ceremony in the presence of Gürhan Çam, CEO of NEOHUB; Aziz Köse, CIEO of NEOHUB; Stephen Charles Cleverley CEO, Oxentia; Fabio Bianchi, Head of Entrepreneurship, Oxentia; and Siret Ünsal, Business Development Partner, Oxentia.
Oxentia is a reputed and dynamic consultancy that specialises in collaborating with organisations around the world to enhance their innovation capabilities. Originally established as a division within Oxford University Innovation, the technology transfer arm of the University of Oxford, Oxentia’s roots are firmly in Oxford, but their outlook is truly global. Oxentia has been providing support and empowerment to clients in more than 70 countries since 2004.
Gürhan Çam, CEO at NEOHUB, said: “This initiative aligns with our principal objectives of fostering innovation, expanding reach and establishing ourselves as frontrunners in the sustainability domain. The TRUK accelerator programme showcases our commitment to making a significant impact in the field of sustainability and driving positive change.”
He added: “Through our collaborations with sustainability-focused startups, we are empowering aspiring talent with the resources and opportunities they need to grow. Further, the dual-phase structure of the programme, with mentorship from both Türkiye and the UK, promotes international collaboration and knowledge exchange, enhancing global reach and offering international exposure to the participating startups.”
Steve Cleverley, CEO of Oxentia Ltd, said: “We are excited to be working in partnership with NEOHUB to support the global expansion of Turkish Startups. Our experience of working in the region has shown us the huge untapped potential of the spinouts and startups from Türkiye, often founded on novel groundbreaking technologies, and successful in their own domestic market. Our aim is to support these companies to broaden their international perspectives and accelerate their growth by enabling them to reach new geographic markets.”
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About Emirates NBD
Emirates NBD (DFM: Emirates NBD) is a leading banking group in the MENAT (Middle East, North Africa and Türkiye) region with a presence in 13 countries, serving over 20 million customers. As at 30th September 2023, total assets were AED 836 billion, (equivalent to approx. USD 228 billion). The Group has operations in the UAE, Egypt, India, Türkiye, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Austria, Germany, Russia and Bahrain and representative offices in China and Indonesia with a total of 853 branches and 4,213 ATMs / SDMs. Emirates NBD is the leading financial services brand in the UAE with a Brand value of USD 3.89 billion.
Emirates NBD Group serves its customers (individuals, businesses, governments, and institutions) and helps them realise their financial objectives through a range of banking products and services including retail banking, corporate and institutional banking, Islamic banking, investment banking, private banking, asset management, global markets and treasury, and brokerage operations. The Group is a key participant in the global digital banking industry with 97% of all financial transactions and requests conducted outside of its branches. The Group also operates Liv, the lifestyle digital bank by Emirates NBD, with close to half a million users, it continues to be the fastest-growing bank in the region.
Emirates NBD contributes to the construction of a sustainable future as an active participant and supporter of the UAE’s main development and sustainability initiatives, including financial wellness and the inclusion of people of determination. Emirates NBD is committed to supporting the UAE’s Year of Sustainability as Principal Banking Partner of COP28 and an early supporter to the Dubai Can sustainability initiative, a city-wide initiative aimed to reduce use of single-use plastic bottled water.
About NEOHUB
NEOHUB is a new-age digital arm of the DenizBank Financial Services Group (DFSG), which is a fully-owned subsidiary of Emirates NBD, driving change and transformation across the organization. NEOHUB is guided by a visionary mission to become the “Business Building Factory.” Our central objective is to spread and promote a synergistic mindset to reach and impact as many individuals and groups as possible, thereby influencing their views and perspectives across various domains.
As a dynamic subsidiary of DFSG, NEOHUB adopts a versatile approach in driving innovation and entrepreneurship, guided by the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Our portfolio includes diverse elements such venture capital investments, open banking, active participation in emerging technology domains, and startup support through our Accelerator program.
About Oxentia
Oxentia works in partnership with individuals and organisations to build capacity, develop capability and create opportunities to enable innovation.
Oxentia started life as an operating division of Oxford University Innovation, the technology transfer company of the University of Oxford. Our roots are in Oxford, but our outlook is global – since 2004 we have supported and empowered clients in over 70 countries.
Our clients are as diverse as our work; from corporations, universities and governments to inventors and investors, early-career researchers and FTSE 250 R&D teams to charities and investment banks. We help bring new ideas to life.