We have been Türkiye’s M&A leader for 20 years.

Message From the CEO

Message From the CEO

We have been Türkiye’s
M&A leader for 20 years

We take great pride in celebrating the 20th anniversary of 3 Seas Capital Partners, Türkiye’s leading M&A firm. Two decades ago, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) were still relatively new concepts in an emerging market like Türkiye and were not widely recognized in the local business community. I vividly recall how challenging it was in the early years to persuade clients—not just to sell shares but even to attend introductory meetings. Fortunately, as a highly dynamic and open-minded society, our country quickly embraced M&A, just as it has with many other innovations. Today, in our meetings, concepts such as valuation, EBITDA, and multiples are commonly and freely discussed topics.

With its young population, strategic geographic location, and well-established free-market economy, Türkiye has always been a country of global interest. It continues to attract significant investment from private equity funds and global investment banks, whether through strategic acquisitions that enable companies to expand into new markets or financial investments by private equity firms with predefined investment horizons. As a firm that has successfully executed over 140 transactions with both domestic and international investors, we would particularly like to highlight the substantial global expansion of private equity funds in recent years.

We firmly believe that Türkiye will reclaim its position as a key investment hub. In the postpandemic era, private equity funds, whose interest in emerging markets declined due to market volatility, have accumulated significant cash reserves while awaiting economic stabilization both globally and locally. These funds currently hold approximately USD 2.5 trillion in available capital, making it crucial to restore their confidence in Türkiye’s investment potential. It is well known that private equity funds, each operating under distinct investment criteria, bring substantial value to the countries and companies in which they invest. Access to strong capital is one of the most critical factors for sustainable growth, and these funds play an indispensable role in providing it. During their 4 to 7-year investment cycles, they not only inject growth capital but also cultivate a global mindset, encourage businesses to expand internationally, and foster long-term sustainable development.

At 3 Seas Capital Partners, our commitment to executing transactions has never wavered, even during periods when these funds temporarily paused investments. We remain confident that Türkiye will regain its position as a top investment destination for major global funds, many of which we are already in direct contact with. Since our inception, we have shared the same language, vision, and ambition as the Turkish business community. While M&A has been a well-established global practice for over a century, its growth in Türkiye has accelerated only in the past 20 years, and we have played an active role in this transformation. Just as we have done numerous initiatives and events, we will continue to strengthen the M&A bridge between Türkiye and the global market in the years ahead.

Best regards,
Tarık Şarlıgil
CEO


Message from our Founding Partner

We must be ready for artificial intelligence,
just like our entrepreneurial youth.

Türkiye’s startup ecosystem has grown significantly in recent years. Particularly in the video game industry, many of our startups have successfully secured substantial investments in consecutive funding rounds. The key driver of this success is Türkiye’s thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem, which has produced seven unicorns (companies valued over USD 1 billion). Another crucial factor is Türkiye’s large, tech-savvy, and youthful population.

Given these factors, there is every reason to be optimistic about Türkiye’s future. AI is not just a passing tech trend but a transformative force reshaping every aspect of life worldwide. Our youth are best positioned to understand and leverage AI effectively.

Despite its rapid advancements, AI is still in its early stages. Fully harnessing its potential requires far greater investment, innovation, and structural transformation than commonly assumed. AI represents a transformative turning point, comparable to the Industrial Revolution, the advent of the automobile, computing, and the internet. The IT revolution, which began just 50 years ago, has already reshaped human civilization. AI is poised to accelerate this transformation across all sectors.

“Life does not stand still; it is always in fast motion and development…”

The rapid evolution of AI, once confined to science fiction, is now raising concerns about its implications. As 5G technology expands, the Internet of Things (IoT) will integrate even more deeply into our daily lives, radically transforming business processes, industries, and entire economies. Much like previous revolutions in mechanization and information technology, businesses must now adapt to the AI era. While the speed of transformation may vary by sector, its inevitability is undeniable. While writing this article, I asked ChatGPT: “At what levels will artificial intelligence affect Turkish business life?” It listed various impacts, from increased productivity to cost advantages for SMEs. While reality unfolds according to actual

developments, human aspirations and imagination continue to push the boundaries. We are already seeing reports that tech giants like Microsoft, Meta, and Google,companies that once focused on the risks of nuclear and coal-powered plants, are now seeking to lease decommissioned thermal and nuclear power facilities. Advancements in green energy are fueling this shift, driven by AI’s massive energy demands. As AI integrates more deeply into our lives, data centers are expanding at an unprecedented scale, signaling that our current energy resources may soon be insufficient. AI is not just about artificial intelligence; it is deeply intertwined with cloud computing and the vast integration of human knowledge into accessible technologies. Historically, our region fell behind during the Industrial Revolution. However, the remarkable success of new-generation entrepreneurs and startups has proven that we have largely bridged this gap in the internet era. Now, AI is emerging as a transformation that could surpass all previous technological revolutions. While Türkiye is not yet a leader.

Best regards,
Emre Erginler
Founding Partner

Confidence Through Experience

Relationships That Go Beyond the Transaction

Every transaction has its own dynamics, objectives and challenges. We approach each engagement with careful preparation, transparent communication and a commitment to understanding our clients' priorities. By combining financial expertise with practical insight, we help create transaction processes that are thoughtful, efficient and built for lasting value.

150+

Completed
Transactions

$9B+

Total Transaction
Volume

20+ Years

Of Experience

80+

Overseas
Transactions

1st

In Türkiye by of Transactions as per Mergermarket

Top 200

Globally by of Transactions as per Mergermarket

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