Summit
Zirve 23
Every journey begins with a single step; and some paths take on new directions through the people you meet along the way. These crossroads transform not only the place you arrive at, but also who you become. To go to yourself is to open the door to change and transformation. The greatest courage lies in embarking on this journey.
Zirve 23 is where the paths of those who set out to transform, grow, and change intersect.With the theme ‘Go to Yourself,’ take the first step on your own journey on October 16.
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Summit 23
2025
Selected as the ‘Summit of the Year’ for consecutive years by ACE of M.I.C.E., Summit 23 is bringing together distinguished figures from business, academia, entrepreneurship, sports, and the arts with young people for the 5th time this year.

Summit 23
2024
Each year, Zirve 23 brings together distinguished speakers from business, academia, entrepreneurship, sports, and the arts. This year, it connected with young people for the 4th time.

Summit 23
2023
Organised annually by 23, Turkey's best youth summit with its distinguished speakers, experience areas, panels and stage performances took place on 13 October at Ülker Sports Arena with the participation of 5000 people!

Summit 23
2022
Summit 23, which took place on 15 October 2022 with 2700 participants, was held in its second year with the participation of important speakers, experience areas and university students from all over Turkey.

Summit 23
2021
In 2021, the first Summit 23 took place at the Volkswagen Arena. Summit 23, which took place under pandemic conditions, was also the beginning of the story of 23. Prof. Dr. Aziz Sancar's surprise visit to the Summit 23 stage took its place among the unforgettable ones.
Summit 23
Go to Yourself!
Under the theme ‘Go to Yourself!’, Summit 23 will gather 3,000 handpicked university students from across Turkey at the Istanbul Basketball Development Center, where they will meet industry professionals. The summit will welcome participants and speakers from diverse backgrounds.
Summit 23
Make Your Voice Heard!
With the theme ‘Make Your Voice Heard!’, Summit 23 brought together 2,000 selected university students from across Turkey with industry professionals at Istanbul Volkswagen Arena. The summit hosted participants and speakers from a wide range of backgrounds.
Summit 23
How did 2023 go?
Zirve 23 was held on 13 October 2023 at Ülker Sports Arena with the participation of more than 4000 people. On the stage of Zirve 23, which was held with the motto "Step into the Future", inspiring speakers on different themes came together. Alev Alatlı, Shazam founder Chris Barton, Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Levent Erden, Emrah Safa Gürkan, Ebru Baybara Demir, Levent Erden, Emrah Safa Gürkan, Levent Erden, Emrah Safa Gürkan, Ebru Baybara Demir and many others met with young people at Zirve 23, which was hosted by Eser Yenenler. This exciting day, from the experience areas to the surprises on the Zirve 23 stage, took its place among the unforgettable events of 2023.
Summit 23
How did 2022 go?
Zirve 23 was held at Volkswagen Arena in its 2nd year with the participation of 2700+ people. At Zirve 23, which was shaped around the motto "Don't watch, leave your mark"; İlber Ortaylı, Selçuk Bayraktar, Acar Baltaş, Demet Akbağ and each of the valuable names were on the stage with their speeches focusing on the themes of 23.
Summit 23
How was 2021?
A summit that was awarded as the Best Summit of Turkey in its first year: Zirve 23. In its first year, it was held in a magnificent atmosphere at Volkswagen Arena with more than 1500 participants. Although 23 was the beginning of its story, Zirve 23 made a name for itself with the names it hosted on its stage in 2021. Aziz Sancar, Akan Abdula, Başak Vardar, Kemal Sayar and Özgür Bolat were some of the important speakers hosted by Zirve 23 in the first year.
Summit 23 Go to Yourself!
Under the theme ‘Go to Yourself!’, Summit 23 will gather 3,000 handpicked university students from across Turkey at the Istanbul Basketball Development Center, where they will meet industry professionals. The summit will welcome participants and speakers from diverse backgrounds.
Summit 23 Make Your Voice Heard!
With the theme ‘Make Your Voice Heard!’, Summit 23 brought together 2,000 selected university students from across Turkey with industry professionals at Istanbul Volkswagen Arena. The summit hosted participants and speakers from a wide range of backgrounds.
Summit 23 How did 2023 go?
Zirve 23 was held on 13 October 2023 at Ülker Sports Arena with the participation of more than 4000 people. On the stage of Zirve 23, which was held with the motto "Step into the Future", inspiring speakers on different themes came together. Alev Alatlı, Shazam founder Chris Barton, Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Levent Erden, Emrah Safa Gürkan, Ebru Baybara Demir, Levent Erden, Emrah Safa Gürkan, Levent Erden, Emrah Safa Gürkan, Ebru Baybara Demir and many others met with young people at Zirve 23, which was hosted by Eser Yenenler. This exciting day, from the experience areas to the surprises on the Zirve 23 stage, took its place among the unforgettable events of 2023.
Summit 23 How did 2022 go?
Zirve 23 was held at Volkswagen Arena in its 2nd year with the participation of 2700+ people. At Zirve 23, which was shaped around the motto "Don't watch, leave your mark"; İlber Ortaylı, Selçuk Bayraktar, Acar Baltaş, Demet Akbağ and each of the valuable names were on the stage with their speeches focusing on the themes of 23.
Summit 23 How was 2021?
A summit that was awarded as the Best Summit of Turkey in its first year: Zirve 23. In its first year, it was held in a magnificent atmosphere at Volkswagen Arena with more than 1500 participants. Although 23 was the beginning of its story, Zirve 23 made a name for itself with the names it hosted on its stage in 2021. Aziz Sancar, Akan Abdula, Başak Vardar, Kemal Sayar and Özgür Bolat were some of the important speakers hosted by Zirve 23 in the first year.
Summit 23 2024 Speakers

Akan Abdula
FutureBright Group, Co-Founder
Arzu Kaprol
Human Innovation Designer
Banu Deniz Çetinkol
Hilti Türkiye, General Manager
Baturay Özdemir
Comedian
Beti Yuhay Almozlino
Trendyol, Head of Human Resources
Beyhan Budak
Expert Clinical Psychologist, Author
Ceyda Düvenci
Actor & Presenter
Eser Yenenler
Master of Ceremony
Hakan Bulgurlu
Beko, CEO
İlhan Yılmaz
Monster Notebook, Co-CEO
Kaan Kural
Sports Commentator
Mehmet Abbasoğlu
Petrol Ofisi Grubu, CEO
Nazlı Tlabalar Güler
Vodafone Turkey, CHRO
Ömür Akkor
Chef
Pınar Anapa
Akbank, Deputy General Manager of People & Culture
Ruhi Çenet
Youtuber
Serdar Turan
HBR Turkey, Managing Editor
Sina Afra
Tiko, Founder & CEO | Entrepreneurship Foundation, Chairman of the Board-
Akan Abdula
FutureBright Group, Co-Founder -
Arzu Kaprol
Human Innovation Designer -
Banu Deniz Çetinkol
Hilti Türkiye, General Manager -
Baturay Özdemir
Comedian -
Beti Yuhay Almozlino
Trendyol, Head of Human Resources -
Beyhan Budak
Expert Clinical Psychologist, Author -
Ceyda Düvenci
Actor & Presenter -
Eser Yenenler
Master of Ceremony -
Hakan Bulgurlu
Beko, CEO -
İlhan Yılmaz
Monster Notebook, Co-CEO -
Kaan Kural
Sports Commentator -
Mehmet Abbasoğlu
Petrol Ofisi Grubu, CEO -
Nazlı Tlabalar Güler
Vodafone Turkey, CHRO -
Ömür Akkor
Chef -
Pınar Anapa
Akbank, Deputy General Manager of People & Culture -
Ruhi Çenet
Youtuber -
Serdar Turan
HBR Turkey, Managing Editor -
Sina Afra
Tiko, Founder & CEO | Entrepreneurship Foundation, Chairman of the Board
Summit 23 2023 Speakers

Ahmet Orhon
Avana Cloud Kitchens CEO
Alev Alatlı
Author
Başak Baykan
Kiralaesın Co-Founder
Boris Johnson
Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Chris Barton
Shazam Founder
Ebru Baybara Demir
Chef & Social Entrepreneur
Elchin Ibadov
Socar Türkiye Acting CEO
Emin Can Yılmaz
Param Founder & CEO
Prof. Dr. Emrah Safa Gürkan
Historian & Academician
Erdem İnan
Trendyol Grup CEO
Eser Yenenler
Master of Ceremony
Jim Hagemann Snabe
Siemens AG CEO
Levent Erden
Next Academy Founder
Doç. Dr. Mehmet Dinç
Psychotherapist
Mehmet Kalyoncu
Turkiye Design Council Founder
Mesut Süre
Radio Programmer & Comedian
Murat Alsan
KPMG Country Chairman
Dr. Sertaç Doğanay
Technology and Sustainability Communicator
Umut Yaka
Swipline Media Co-Founder & CEO
Zeynep Bodur Okyay
Kale Group Chairman-
Ahmet Orhon
Avana Cloud Kitchens CEO -
Alev Alatlı
Author -
Başak Baykan
Kiralaesın Co-Founder -
Boris Johnson
Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom -
Chris Barton
Shazam Founder -
Ebru Baybara Demir
Chef & Social Entrepreneur -
Elchin Ibadov
Socar Türkiye Acting CEO -
Emin Can Yılmaz
Param Founder & CEO -
Prof. Dr. Emrah Safa Gürkan
Historian & Academician -
Erdem İnan
Trendyol Grup CEO -
Eser Yenenler
Master of Ceremony -
Jim Hagemann Snabe
Siemens AG CEO -
Levent Erden
Next Academy Founder -
Doç. Dr. Mehmet Dinç
Psychotherapist -
Mehmet Kalyoncu
Turkiye Design Council Founder -
Mesut Süre
Radio Programmer & Comedian -
Murat Alsan
KPMG Country Chairman -
Dr. Sertaç Doğanay
Technology and Sustainability Communicator -
Umut Yaka
Swipline Media Co-Founder & CEO -
Zeynep Bodur Okyay
Kale Group Chairman
Summit 23 2022 Speakers

Prof. Dr. Acar Baltaş
Psychologist, Founder of Baltaş Group
Banki Moon
Former Secretary-General of the United Nations
Berk Yılmaz
Meditopia Co-Founder
Bülent Tekmen
Colendi Co-Founder
Çağlayan Çetin
Trendyol Group Chairman
Demet Akbağ
Actor
Didem Duru
Cisco Turkey CEO
Eray Altunbozar
Aircar Founder & CEO
Gürcan Karakaş
TOGG Ceo
Prof. Dr. İlber Ortaylı
Historian, Academician, Author
Jaklin Güner
Vakko CEO
Lale Can Gözübüyük
Plug & Play Turkey & EMEA Director
Metin Canoğulları
EY Turkiye Country President
Nic Robertson
CNN International Diplomatic Editor
Nuri Şahin
Coach
Okan Bayülgen
Actor, Writer
Ozan Mutlu
Social Entrepreneur
Selçuk Bayraktar
Baykar CTO
Stoyan Yankov
Motivational Speaker-
Prof. Dr. Acar Baltaş
Psychologist, Founder of Baltaş Group -
Banki Moon
Former Secretary-General of the United Nations -
Berk Yılmaz
Meditopia Co-Founder -
Bülent Tekmen
Colendi Co-Founder -
Çağlayan Çetin
Trendyol Group Chairman -
Demet Akbağ
Actor -
Didem Duru
Cisco Turkey CEO -
Eray Altunbozar
Aircar Founder & CEO -
Gürcan Karakaş
TOGG Ceo -
Prof. Dr. İlber Ortaylı
Historian, Academician, Author -
Jaklin Güner
Vakko CEO -
Lale Can Gözübüyük
Plug & Play Turkey & EMEA Director -
Metin Canoğulları
EY Turkiye Country President -
Nic Robertson
CNN International Diplomatic Editor -
Nuri Şahin
Coach -
Okan Bayülgen
Actor, Writer -
Ozan Mutlu
Social Entrepreneur -
Selçuk Bayraktar
Baykar CTO -
Stoyan Yankov
Motivational Speaker
Summit 23 2021 Speakers

Aziz Sancar
Stakeholder
Akan Abdula
Future Bright CEO
Angelino Alfano
Former Foreign Minister of Italy
Başak Vardar
Deloitte Turkey CEO
Doğu Demirkol
Comedian
Erdem Tavas
Galataport Istanbul Board Member
Ergin Ataman
Coach
Gülsüm Çıracı
Startupfon Founding Partner
Kemal Sayar
Psikiyatrist & Psikoterapist
Murat Erkan
Turkcell Ex-CEO
Özgür Bolat
Education Scientist
Serdar Turan
HBR Turkey Editor-in-Chief
Umutcan Duman
Evreka CEO
Tuncay Tütek
Getir Co-Founder
Melihhan Bilgin
Turkiye Petrolleri CEO
Mikayil Yusifov
Socar Turkey Head of Communications and Public Relations-
Aziz Sancar
Stakeholder -
Akan Abdula
Future Bright CEO -
Angelino Alfano
Former Foreign Minister of Italy -
Başak Vardar
Deloitte Turkey CEO -
Doğu Demirkol
Comedian -
Erdem Tavas
Galataport Istanbul Board Member -
Ergin Ataman
Coach -
Gülsüm Çıracı
Startupfon Founding Partner -
Kemal Sayar
Psikiyatrist & Psikoterapist -
Murat Erkan
Turkcell Ex-CEO -
Özgür Bolat
Education Scientist -
Serdar Turan
HBR Turkey Editor-in-Chief -
Umutcan Duman
Evreka CEO -
Tuncay Tütek
Getir Co-Founder -
Melihhan Bilgin
Turkiye Petrolleri CEO -
Mikayil Yusifov
Socar Turkey Head of Communications and Public Relations
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Frequently Asked Questions
Summit 23 will take place all day at the Basketball Development Center (BGM) on Thursday, October 16, 2025. Program details and schedule will be announced in October.
All university students and recent graduates can apply to Zirve 23. However, applications from 1st, 2nd, and 3rd year students will be prioritized.
Applications must be submitted via our website no later than 11:59 PM on Sunday, September 28, 2025.
Yes, Summit 23 is a free event
More than 3,000 university students, selected from applications across Turkey, will attend Summit 23.
To attend Summit 23, you need to complete the application form on our website in full. If your application is approved, you will earn the right to participate in Summit 23.
If your application is successful, we will send you an email during the first week of October. To make sure you don’t miss any messages from Summit 23, please remember to check all folders in your inbox (spam, junk, promotions, etc.) that week!
No, travel expenses will not be covered; participants coming from outside the city will not receive transportation support. However, depending on the number of participants and needs, shuttles may be arranged from airports in Istanbul to the event venue. If you are accepted to participate, further details will be shared with you in October.
No, Zirve 23 is a one-day event. Participants who require accommodation will be responsible for their own lodging expenses.
Entry to Summit 23 will be granted by presenting your personal QR code along with a valid photo ID, such as a national ID card or driver’s license. Once your application is approved and you confirm your participation, your QR code will be sent to your email two days before the event.
Depending on the number of participants and needs, shuttle services may be arranged from Istanbul airports to the Summit 23 venue.
It is not possible to attend Summit 23 with a friend or acquaintance. Applications and participation are individual; only those whose applications are approved will be able to attend the event by presenting a valid ID.
As the event date approaches, you can follow the program agenda on our social media accounts and website.
As Summit 23 is a journey based on real-life experience, unfortunately it will not be broadcast online.
Each participant who qualifies to attend Summit 23 must bring the QR code sent via email and SMS before the event day, along with a valid photo ID (national ID card or driver’s license). Entry to the event will only be granted upon verification of this QR code and the photo ID/driver’s license.
A lunch box will be provided to Summit 23 participants for lunch.
Individuals who are accepted to and participate in Summit 23 will, following the event, undergo several stages—including video tasks, interviews, and camps—before qualifying for a two-year program. Comprehensive details and the timeline will be shared after Summit 23. The essential requirement for continuing in the process is qualifying for and attending Summit 23. Those who do not attend Summit 23 will not be eligible to advance to subsequent stages.
You can contact us via the email address [email protected].