CORE FINANCE - Key Persons
Alara Vural is a senior associate at Core where she focuses on SaaS, e-commerce and mobility sectors. Prior to joining Core, Alara worked as an investment banking analyst at Raiffeisen Investment, where she advised on various industrial, energy and tech transactions.
Alara graduated from Koç University with a degree in Economics, and with co-curricular track programs in Finance & Financial Markets. She has also spent a semester at Bocconi University, studying finance. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her dog, doing pilates and playing piano.
Alp joined Core Finance in 2021 as Vice-President. He is responsible for deal execution, origination and investment management with a focus on early stage and growth stage technology companies in fintech, SaaS, mobility and consumer tech verticals globally.
Prior to Core Finance, Alp was a venture capital investor at Revo Capital, the largest VC fund of Turkey with $150M+ AUM investing early-stage technology companies in Turkey and Eastern Europe with 25+ portfolio companies including Getir, Akinon, TransferGo, Onedio, Logiwa, Zizoo, Foriba and Paycore.
Alp has a strong operator track record of partnering with tech founders to run business models, grow in challenging markets and raise their next funding rounds.
Before Revo, Alp was in role of Chief of Staff at PlusOneMinusOne backed by Esor Investments Gmbh where he acted as a bridge between the CEO office and the VC investor, responsible for business development with largest banks and Fintech startups in Turkey. Alp was formerly an Investment Banking Analyst at Pragma Corporate Finance, a leading investment banking advisory firm in Turkey.
Alper co-founded Core Finance in 2017 has successfully led Core Finance's transactions in Mobile Gaming, Fintech, Cyber Security and Mobility.
Alper has worked with companies such as Ace Games, Libra Softworks, PayTR, Firefly, Akinon and has advised investors such as Actera Group, NfX Ventures, Esas Private Equity and more. Alper has also led Core Venture's investment into companies such as Airlift Express, Bundle Kitchen and mobile gaming studios.
Prior to founding Core Finance, Alper has successfully contributed to major M&A transactions for companies such as Global Ports Holdings and Burger King Turkey & China. Alper started his career at Bloomberg LP and continued at Ata Holding, Turkish investment bank and IEG-Global, leading German technology investment before joining Farazad Investments, a global boutique investment bank headquartered in London, as a senior executive.
Alper received his BA in Economics and Finance and his MS in Finance from Bentley University.
Arda Çelik is an analyst at Core Finance, where he primarily focuses on market research and financial analysis.
Prior to joining Core Finance, he was a Business Analyst Intern at Boğaziçi Ventures, where he evaluated inve stment opportunities in early-stage companies. Arda also gained experience as a Customer and User Experience Intern at Twin Science and Robotics, mainly managing user engagement.
Arda is working towards a degree in Industrial Engineering at Boğaziçi University. In his spare time, he is passionate about cinematography, enjoys video games, and loves sailing.
Beyza Toker is an analyst at Core Finance. Previously she worked at Mercedes-Benz, where she developed financial dashboards, and in the fintech industry with Yancep Investment, where she conducted fund analysis and market research. Additionally, she gained valuable insights into startup evaluation during her time at Zorlu Holding.
Beyza is currently pursuing a degree in Industrial Engineering with a minor in Economics at Boğaziçi University. In her spare time, she enjoys sailing and hiking.
Cem Erdem Yılmaz is an anal yst with Core Finance. Prior to Core Finance, Cem was a venture capital intern at Vestel Ventures where he supported the te am with investment strategies, due diligence, and portfolio value creation.
Cem is studying Industrial Engineering at Boğaziçi University. Outside of work, he loves spending his free time immersed in drawing, where he expresses his artistic vision through various styles and illustrations. On the field, foo tball serves as both a competitive outlet and a way to stay active.
Christian is an experienced technology investor, advisor and entrepreneur based in San Francisco Bay Area.
Christian co-founded GP Bullhound in London in 1999, building it to one of the leading global cross border M&A and private placement houses with ten global offices and 150+ staff. He has an extensive international network and track record supporting global technology companies through their growth phases with particular expertise enabling US investments and business expansion. He is also a founder and CEO of family office investment firm Beluca Ventures, a co-founder of Dicopay, a leading European fintech company.
Christian holds a B.Sc. in Finance & Economics from the London School of Economics, an M.Sc in Finance from Stockholm Business School as well as professional designations including the FINRA Series 7, 24 and 63 securities licenses.
Taha Can is currently working as an anal yst at Core Finance. He has previously interned at Pragma, supporting M&A activities and at 180 Degrees Consulting, where he helped manage financial strategies and at Robust Ventures, he worked on cost-saving measures and process improvements.
Taha is pursuing a degree in Industrial Engineering at Boğaziçi University and remains engaged in numer ous student and leadership activities such as creating a motorbike group for travel and delivering a speech at the E-Founder Summit in Boğaziçi University as a student.
Vanya works with tech Founders, CEOs and leaders in the startup ecosystem as Executive Coach.
She helps venture backed companies at post-series A and beyond and partners with leading VC firms, coaching partners and supporting their portfolio companies.
She has worked with companies backed by Lux Capital, Founders Fund, Craft Ventures, Harlem Capital and many more.
Her clients include Hivemapper, Simbe Robotics, Pawp, Playbookapp, Glow Labs, Elucidata, On Deck, Boostr, Partnerpage and many more.