Sina Afra

Sina Afra
Born Sina Afra
(1968-10-21) October 21, 1968
Ankara, Turkey
Residence Istanbul, Turkey
Alma mater WWU Münster
Harvard Business School
Occupation
  • Co-Founder of Markafoni, Zizigo, Brandsexclusive, MissPera, Modnakasta, Brandmarka, Family Office Afra Global 3
Website www.sinaafra.com

Sina Afra (born October 21, 1968) is a Turkish – German internet entrepreneur, angel investor and author. Afra is best known as the co-founder of Markafoni, the first and leading Online Fashion site in Turkey and other countries.[1] Afra also co-founded Undo-labs.[2]

Afra serves as Chairman of the Entrepreneurship Foundation, which he initiated in 2014 with other leading entrepreneurs.[3] He lives in Istanbul.

Early life and education

Afra was born in Ankara, Turkey, to Haluk and Sencan Afra. His father was a Turkish Diplomat, his mother, Sencan, is an Art Historian. Due to his father's career, Afra grew up in the Netherlands and Germany. He graduated from the Westfaelische Wilhelms Universitaet in Münster in 1992 as "Diplom Kaufmann". During his studies, he spent part of his time in St. Gallen, Switzerland. He joined Harvard Business School.

Career

Early career

After his studies, Afra worked as a Management Consultant at KPMG from 1993-2005. He started as Junior Consultant and was promoted to Principal in 2002. His area of expertise was Strategic Finance and Strategy.

In 2005, Afra joined eBay in Berlin as the Director of Corporate Development. He was responsible for M&A and Strategy. After the acquisition of Gittigidiyor (May 2007), he moved to Istanbul, Turkey and joined Gittigidiyor’s Board while being the eBay's representative in Turkey. The entrepreneurs he has met during his eBay time, especially Niklas Zennström, convinced him to become an entrepreneur.

Markafoni

Afra co-founded Markafoni in late 2008. Markafoni was the first Online Fashion company in Turkey and experienced tremendous growth. Markafoni became the first Turkish internet[4] company expanding beyond the borders of Turkey: In 2009, Brandsexclusive.com.au was founded in Sydney, Australia. In 2010, Markafoni was founded in Greece, Ukraine and South Korea further Online Fashion companies: Brandsgalaxy.gr in Athens, Greece, Modnakasta.ua in Kiev, Ukraine and Brandmarka.com in Seoul, Korea. In 2011, Markafoni Poland was initiated.

In Turkey, Markafoni launched and acquired Online Fashion companies: Zizigo.com (Online Shoes) and Misspera.com were founded. Enmoda.com was acquired from Dogus Media Group.

The Markafoni Group including all subsidiaries had over 1,000 employees (Turkey and international) and over 25 M visits per month (2014).

Afra was Chairman and CEO of Markafoni as well as Chairman of each subsidiary. The Naspers Group acquired in July 2011 a majority stake at Markafoni and signed for one of the biggest deals in the Turkish internet. It was also one of the fastest exits in Turkey, in less than 3 years. Afra continued to stay Chairman, CEO and shareholder of the Markafoni Group and left after three years following the deal in May 2014.[5] He sold his remaining shares in May 2014 to Naspers.[6]

Markafoni has won several national and international awards.

Undo Labs

Afra co-founded Undo Labs in 2014.

Undo Labs is a New York and Istanbul-based design and innovation studio that rethinks our environmental relationship with man-made products.[7]

The studio’s mission is to redesign everyday products in an innovative way and offer a carbon offset mechanism through which customers can "undo" the environmental damage created by some of the items they use.

UNDO Laces is the studio’s first product, an innovative take on the plain old shoelace. This product was launched during the NYC Design Week 2015 at the NYC Design Junction. UNDO Labs launched a successful Kickstarter campaign on June 17, 2015.[8]

Investing

Afra started as angel investor in early 2007. His first investment was misterspex.com in Germany. Since then, Afra has made investments in early-stage companies (personally or through his family office Afra Global 3), including Dollarshaveclub, Lidyana, Tasit, Cloakroom, Boticca, Lesara, iTravel, L’arco Baleno, Movielala, Nichestreem, Sadeceon, Somedya, Temizlikyolda and others.

Afra co-founded Nasilkolay and serves as Chairman.

He serves also at the Board of Value Trust, a leading independent valuation company in Germany.

In 2012, Afra received Webrazzi’s "Angel Investor of the year" Award.[9]

Public intellectual work

Speaking

Afra has spoken at the DLD 2012,[10] DLD 2013[11] and DLD 2015[12] in Munich, at DLD San Francisco,[13] at Noah Conference[14] in London, at IDCEE[15] in Ukraine, DLD Bosporus 2012,[16] Google Big Tent Event,[17] Webrazzi Summit[18] in Istanbul, Startup[19] in Antalya and Istanbul, Endeavor Events,[20] WEBİT Conference,[21] Founder's Forum 2015 and many other international conferences.

He is a frequent lecturer at different Turkish universities like Bogazici University, Özyegin University, Sabanci University, Bilgi University or Robert College[22] and others. He has appeared in in several Turkish or international television programs.

Writing

Afra has published a variety of posts on his personal webpage sinaafra.com. One of his most known articles is "The return of the Ottoman will be virtual" read by 120,000people.[23]

He also published various articles in the Harvard business Manager,[24] Start-up or Turkish Times.

Afra wrote in 2014 "ecommerce in Turkey" report, published by TÜSİAD. It is one of the most detailed analysis of the Turkish eCommerce market and its future development.[25]

He writes in English, Turkish and German.[26]

Associations and political activities

Afra is an active believer in entrepreneurship and, since 2013, a Board Member of Endeavor Turkey.[27]

He is member of TÜSİAD[28] (Turkish Industrialist and Businessmen Association) – the leading NGO in Turkey, representing Business and Industry.

He is founding member of Galata Business Angels,[29] one of the leading Angel Networks in Turkey.

He serves in the Board of the Türkiye Bilişim Vakfı[30]

Afra is a member of Fenerbahçe,[31] and Fortuna Düsseldorf.[32]

Afra is Member of the Freie Demokratische Partei, FDP.

Honors and awards

In 2015, The Wired Magazine awarded Afra as one of the "Top 100 Most Influential Tech People in Europe"[33]

In November 2014, the Pantheon Association awarded Afra with the special Award for "Contributions to Entrepreneurship and the Turkish Web Space"[34]

The Wired Magazine awarded Markafoni in 2013 and 2014 as one of the "Hottest Top 100 Digital Companies in Europe"[35]

In 2014, Markafoni was one of the Red Herring finalist[36]

In 2013, Markafoni was awarded with the Effie award[37]

In January 2013, The Europas awarded Markafoni as "The best Startup"[38][39]

In 2012, Markafoni was honoured as one of the "Top 100 Superbrands in Turkey"[40]

In December 2012, the Istanbul University awarded Afra with the "Best Businessman in Socialmedia" award[41]

In 2011 and 2012, the Capital Magazine named Markafoni as the "Best eCommerce Company"[42]

In 2011, Webrazzi named Afra the "Entrepreneur of the Year"[43]

In 2011, Webrazzi named Afra the "Business Angel of the year"[43]

Webrazzi awarded Markafoni in 2011 and 2012 as the "Private Shopping Company" and the "Best Web based Company"[43]

In November 2011, The Association of eCommerce (ETİCAD) awarded Afra with the "Superior National Contribution" award[44]

In 2010, Digital Age awarded Markafoni with the "Digital Company of the Year" award.[45]

In 2012, Brandsexclusive was recognized as winner of the Australian Fast Starter Awards[46]

Personal life

Afra is married and has three children. He speaks five languages and is an enthusiastic Fenerbahçe and Fortuna Düsseldorf Fan.

Philanthropy

Entrepreneurship Foundation

The Entrepreneurship Foundation was initiated by Afrain 2014. Many leading Entrepreneurs and Businesspeople joined him to establish the Foundation.[47] The main objective of the Entrepreneurship Foundation is to develop entrepreneurial culture among young people. With a unique selection system and the highest grant per month in Turkey, the Foundation believes in spreading the idea with positive role models and inspiration. In 2014, 6,400 students applied and 40 fellows were selected.[48] In 2015, the number of applications moved up to 30,000. As of 2015, the Foundation has 80 Fellows. The Entrepreneur Foundation’s blog "Futureleadnow" shares two new articles on Entrepreneurship every day.[49] Afra is Chairman of the Board of the Entrepreneurship Foundation.[50]

Endeavor

Afra is Member of Endeavor Turkey’s Board[51] With the support of a network of seasoned business leaders, Endeavor works to catalyze long-term economic growth by selecting, mentoring, and accelerating the best high-impact entrepreneurs worldwide.[52] Afra participated in several Endeavor events as speaker or representative of Endeavor Turkey

Ashoka

Afra is also actively supporting Ashoka.[53] Ashoka is a global association of the world’s leading social entrepreneurs. It helps them both get started and succeed over their long lifetimes causing large scale pattern change. They address every area of human need – from human rights to the environment, from full economic citizenship to empowering young people.[54] Afra also The Turkish Theatres for disabled people (TEKSEM – Türkiye Engelsizler Sanat ve Egitim Merkezi).[55]

References

  1. ↑ "Markafoni Linkedin Company Page".
  2. ↑ "Undo Labs". Retrieved August 6, 2015.
  3. ↑ "Entrepreneurship Foundation".
  4. ↑ "http://techcrunch.com/2011/07/07/naspers-values-turkish-ecommerce-giant-markafoni-at-200-million-buys-70-stake/". External link in |title= (help)
  5. ↑ "http://tech.eu/news/naspers-buys-remainder-shares-turkish-e-commerce-giant-markafoni-ceo-sina-afra-moves/". External link in |title= (help)
  6. ↑ "http://techloy.com/2014/05/20/south-africas-naspers-acquires-100-stake-in-turkeys-e-commerce-giant-markafoni/". External link in |title= (help)
  7. ↑ "Undo Labs".
  8. ↑ "https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/undolabs/undo?ref=nav_search". External link in |title= (help)
  9. ↑ "http://odul.webrazzi.com/2011/". External link in |title= (help)
  10. ↑ "http://dld-conference.com/DLD12/speakers". External link in |title= (help)
  11. ↑ "http://dld-conference.com/DLD13/speakers". External link in |title= (help)
  12. ↑ "http://dld-conference.com/DLD15/speakers". External link in |title= (help)
  13. ↑ "http://dld-conference.com/DLDcitiesSFO/speakers". External link in |title= (help)
  14. ↑ "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHjvf0rcy-o". External link in |title= (help)
  15. ↑ "http://idcee.org/p/sinaafra-markafoni/". External link in |title= (help)
  16. ↑ "http://dld-conference.com/DLDBosphorus12/speakers". External link in |title= (help)
  17. ↑ "https://big-tent.appspot.com/en/view-speakers/5927920656711680". External link in |title= (help)
  18. ↑ "http://summit.webrazzi.com/2013/en". External link in |title= (help)
  19. ↑ "http://startupturkey.com/speakers". External link in |title= (help)
  20. ↑ "http://endeavor.uberflip.com/i/220341-investor-network-turkey-event/3". External link in |title= (help)
  21. ↑ "http://www.digitseries.com/emea/speakers.php". External link in |title= (help)
  22. ↑ "http://webportal.robcol.k12.tr/Alumni-Development/News/Pages/NetwoRC-Evenings.aspx". External link in |title= (help)
  23. ↑ "http://www.sinaafra.com". External link in |title= (help)
  24. ↑ "http://www.harvardbusinessmanager.de/heft/d-21501798.html". External link in |title= (help)
  25. ↑ "http://www.tusiad.org.tr/__rsc/shared/file/eTicaretRaporu-062014.pdf" (PDF). External link in |title= (help)
  26. ↑ "http://www.sinaafra.com". External link in |title= (help)
  27. ↑ "http://endeavor.org.tr/agimiz/yonetim-kurulu/". External link in |title= (help)
  28. ↑ "http://www.tusiad.org.tr". External link in |title= (help)
  29. ↑ "http://www.galatabusinessangels.com". External link in |title= (help)
  30. ↑ "http://www.tbv.org.tr/organizasyon,DP-388.html#.VcMVjWB9vdl". External link in |title= (help)
  31. ↑ "http://www.fenerbahce.org". External link in |title= (help)
  32. ↑ "http://www.fortuna-duesseldorf.de/home/". External link in |title= (help)
  33. ↑ "http://www.wired.co.uk/magazine/archive/2014/04/the-2014-wired-100/wired-100/viewall". External link in |title= (help)
  34. ↑ "http://www.bilgi.edu.tr/tr/haberler-ve-etkinlikler/haber/4342/is-dunyas-odullerini-dagtyor/". External link in |title= (help)
  35. ↑ "http://www.wired.co.uk/magazine/archive/2013/11/european-startups/istanbul". External link in |title= (help)
  36. ↑ "http://www.redherring.com/events/red-herring-europe/2014finalists/". External link in |title= (help)
  37. ↑ "http://effieturkiye.org/2013/index2.htm". External link in |title= (help)
  38. ↑ "http://theeuropas.com/winners/". External link in |title= (help)
  39. ↑ "http://techcrunch.com/2013/01/22/the-europas-europes-tech-startup-oscars-showcases-a-booming-european-scene/". External link in |title= (help)
  40. ↑ "http://www.kurumsalhaberler.com/markafoni/bultenler/markafoni-superbrands-oduluyle-super-marka-oldugunu-tescilledi". External link in |title= (help)
  41. ↑ "http://blog.wandadigital.com/2011/12/12/ruffles-ve-wanda-socialiste-yine-odul/". External link in |title= (help)
  42. ↑ "http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/ekonomi/20213745.asp". External link in |title= (help)
  43. 1 2 3 "http://odul.webrazzi.com/2011/". External link in |title= (help)
  44. ↑ "http://www.marjinal.com.tr/detaytum.asp?mus=markafoni&id=149". External link in |title= (help)
  45. ↑ "http://www.marjinal.com.tr/detaytum.asp?mus=markafoni&id=18". External link in |title= (help)
  46. ↑ "http://www.brw.com.au/lists/fast-starters/2013/". External link in |title= (help)
  47. ↑ "http://girisimcilikvakfi.org/index.php". External link in |title= (help)
  48. ↑ "http://girisimcilikvakfi.org/eng/gv-faliyet.pdf" (PDF). External link in |title= (help)
  49. ↑ "http://futureleadnow.com". External link in |title= (help)
  50. ↑ "http://girisimcilikvakfi.org/yonetim-kurulu.php". External link in |title= (help)
  51. ↑ "http://endeavor.org.tr/agimiz/yonetim-kurulu/". External link in |title= (help)
  52. ↑ "http://www.endeavor.org/approach/". External link in |title= (help)
  53. ↑ "http://turkey.ashoka.org/ashoka-support-network". External link in |title= (help)
  54. ↑ "https://www.ashoka.org/files/innovations8.5x11FINAL_0.pdf" (PDF). External link in |title= (help)
  55. ↑ "http://www.teksem.net". External link in |title= (help)

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Wednesday, April 06, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.