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Do you want to speak in front of an audience of 10'000 C-level Digital and Tech executives, decision makers and global media from 110 countries? We have good news for you. Webit Audience Choice Speakers is open. 5 among the most supported candidates shall be invited to speak at the Global Webit Congress 2014 stages. The selected speakers shall also get a Webit Platinum Pass at value of 2000 EUR with full access to the whole Congress, CEOs Lunch, Leaders Lunch, Speakers Lounge + all Networking Lounges, Chairman's Dinner on a boat on Bosphorus and Speakers Hammam Dinner as well of course to the official Webit Party on the man-made island Suada!

What do you know about the art of storytelling?

In short, to capture audience’s attention your story needs 4 elements: lead character, ambition, conflict and resolution. All good stories are about having an intimate connection with the lead character. It is about the art and science of the experience. But have in mind that it’s not just about the story. What matters is how the story is told. It is about the emotion, the magic that leaves long lasting impressions.

Why you should master the art of storytelling?

Because stories are memorable. People will not remember you because of your product, but because of the story behind your product. Also, because stories travel further. It is easier for people to recount in the future. And last, but not least because stories inspire action. This is what you aim for, isn’t it? How do you feel after you read the previous lines? If storytelling is your thing, you are the perfect speaker for Webit Global Congress. For us, it will be a pleasure to have you as a speaker at Webit Global Congress as well as for you this will be irreplaceable experience. Apply now HERE - 6 days left.

1-2 October, 2014, Istanbul – remember these dates and reschedule if you have any other plans. The 6th Webit Global Congress is going to happen and for Digital, Tech and Media industry this will be the most beneficial and profitable two days of the year. Just in case you are not sure yet, here are only 10 reasons why you should join:

1. The only place with almost 60% C-level attendees who you can join to connect with the world’s Digital, Tech and Media elite! C-level managers at companies like Facebook, Apple, Google, etc. Pay attention – active managers (not ex-ones).
2. The venue – not only because of the fabulous city of Istanbul, but also because of the impressive venue which can be reached by all means of transport, including by boat.
3. Networking party on yacht – why not?
4. You will be surrounded by `giants` - Google, IBM, Apple, eBay. Good feeling, isn’t it?
5. Lectures will be divided in two flows – digital marketing and entrepreneurship. You can focus on what is really important to you and your business.
6. Speakers have only 10 minutes for their lectures – no babbling, only the essential.
7. Along the whole event, topics, devoted to new growing markets, will be discussed. Markets in Africa, Middle East, East Europe, etc. which will define the new trends and on which you want to operate, for sure. This way you can be sure you will not waste neither your time, nor your money.
8. Great opportunity for networking with worldwide known experts. Please, read again reason №4.
9. The only event where you will meet the best agencies in the world – Agency Lounge will be the place where agencies meet their clients and talk "Successful Business".
10. Founder Games, organised by Webit, are looking for the best startups and provide 1 million EUR marketing budget for startups.

Stay tuned for more reasons, news and updates. Have in mind that time is ticking away. Apply now!  

Some on-line games will succeed, some will not. But the Helsinki-based, Grand Cru’s has raised venture capital funding to build the free-to-play game. Instead of a good wine they have created Supernauts, a social world-building game, that just two weeks ago, has hit a million downloads in just six days after its release. That is quite an achievement especially in the crowded and highly competitive multi billion game industry. The game received editor’s choice rank in 40 countries in the Apple App Store and is also in the “best new games” category in 155 countries. 

We’re super happy to announce that Supernauts has reached ONE MILLION players in just six days! Thank you all! pic.twitter.com/b2Gwed2EzA — Supernauts (@TheSupernauts) July 1, 2014

Grand Cru has raised more than $16 million to date from Idinvest Partners, Qualcomm Ventures, Nokia Growth Partners, Signia Venture Partners and Lifeline Ventures.  One year ago Jason Ball decided to make an investment into the gaming space – an area where many investors fear to tread. Will it be a success? Time will tell. Jason Ball is a Director at Qualcomm Ventures Europe and is based in London. He currently serves as a board member or observer for Bitbar, Blippar, Cambridge Temperature Concepts, Grand Cru, Videoplaza, Wonder PL and Wrapp. Jason has also led Qualcomm Ventures investments in Arteris (acquired by Qualcomm) and We7 (acquired by Tesco). He is one of the speakers at the Leaders of the Future Summit. Don't miss the chance to meet Jason Ball.

Hurry Up Register!

   

Turkey and Middle East are the two most attractive e-commerce markets for new seeding. 1. Hepsiburada.com – owned by Dogan Online together with dozen of other e-commerce websites, part of Dogan Sirketler Grubu Holding AS (DOHOL), Hepsiburada.com keeps its place of the largest ecommerce company in Turkey. Back in 2011, the turkish e-comm landscape faced an annual rise of 57 percent to 500 million TRY turnover, opening the market for more payers and moreover – investors. For the past few years, rumors have been spreading around Hepsiburada.com and its strategy, pointing to an acquisition or huge rounds of funding by global e-commerce giants and investing groups. So far, Dogan Online hasn't sold its most profitable website and according to the shared into the public space by its executives, the largest stake of the received investments are planned to be used for supporting the e-market of Turkey itself by new investments. It seems in 2014, Hepsiburada.com is still a top priority for Dogan Online and its future development strategy. With the time advancing very fast for the digital ecosystem around Bosphorus, the Turkish market is getting even more attractive with a population of 77 million, expanding urban population, internet and mobile and high credit-card penetration. The giants have opened the eyes of other investors with Amazon taking a delicious stake in Ciceksepeti – Turkish e-comm company based in Istanbul that delivers flowers and gifts across the country. Following this funding, Hummingbird Ventures made an investment in CicekSepeti in January 2011. In 2011, another e-comm monster – eBay acquired more than 90% of Turkey’s leading online marketplace GittiGidiyor. The deal follows eBay’s acquisition of a minority stake in the company in 2007 and previously raised capital from iLab Ventures. The fact that Turkey is also attractive to investors looking to use its market, supporting further expansion either into the Middle East or deeper in Central Asia, brings more attention and more funding for Turkish e-commerce startups. Markafoni – already owned by South African media company Naspers. Markafoni was founded in 2008 and was the first Turkish internet company going global (Australia, Ukraine, South Korea, Greece and Poland). With all other brands in the group (Zizigo, Enmoda, Misspera), Markafoni became the biggest Online Fashion company in Turkey and MENA. Back in 2010 the Turkish private shopping club, raised £4.7 million investment from Trayas. Then, in 2011 Naspers valued the Markafoni at $200 million and bought 71% stake. It was one of the biggest foreign commitments to an industry that Deloitte & Touche said could help drive Turkish acquisitions in 2012. A year later Markafoni group bought 75 percent of enmoda.com, founded in 2011 by Doğuş Media Group, who introduced Vogue and GQ magazines to Turkey. Nowadays when Naspers has bought the rest of the shares, Marcafoni's co-founder and CEO Sina Afra left the group in the end of may 2014 and head for new entrepreneurial endeavours. Since 1st of June, e-commerce specialist Ilker Baydar has replaced Afra on the helm of Markafoni group. The pulse of the digital ecosystem in Turkey beats faster with each and every following investment round from local or global VCs and angel investors. And, it is not the Turkish market only, but the surrounding landscape of all the emerging markets across Eastern Europe, Middle East and North Africa. In fact, Naspers have showed a significant relocation of assets from its African e-businesses to investments like the one in Markafoni in Turkey or the $150 million two-rounds investment in Souq.com – the biggest e-comm player in Middle East. The whole Naspers Group is closely watched by analysts and market observers, so they could predict what could be the trends for further share-buys, except e-commerce. The fashion retail has opened the door for other e-shopping stores and marketplaces, so the digital trade is already profitable for some other industry fields – food delivery, tickets + travel and accommodation. The success story of the US Arbnb has pushed others to go digital in hotel booking and the recent expansion of Foodpanda in Eastern Europe and Middle East is bringing the food orders to next level of customer service and satisfaction. The transportation is also an attractive sector, since Uber and Blablacar took their businesses globally. There is something in common between each and every of the above companies and it is their need for quality investment and marketing resources. This is the major reason to give the beginning of the Webit Ambassadors Foundation - a non-for-profit foundation aiming at helping the entrepreneurial and digital ecosystem by education, creating better business opportunities and providing marketing and business platform of the Global Webit Congress to the best startups from EMEA and Asia for free. Situated in Tukey, on the cross roads between Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia we are confident to to create the 1 Million EUR Marketing Grant for startups to give them a special market advantage and to boost the business and the opportunities to success. Applications for the Founders Games are still opened till 15th of July and you could spread the word among your network of entrepreneurs, startups and investors helping them to conquer the world through the Global Webit Congress platform. On 1st and 2nd of October, Istanbul Turkey, Halic Congress Center startups meet investors, over 300 accredited media and the CEOs, CMOs and CTOs of the world's largest and most innovative companies along with the biggest global and regional advertisers. See you all there! For more details: Yanita Karailieva – Head of Business Development GWC yanita@eacad.eu +359 888 606 719

Trustev is one of the Top 10 Global Startups by Forbes and the winner of Europe’s Top Technology Start-up by EU Commisison the CEO Pat Phelan is one of the 200 top speakers of the Global Webit Congress 2014

Pat Phelan has lots of difficulties in the past starting as a butcher becoming chief and now he is recognized internationally as one of the most connected men in the technology industry. Over the past 15 years he has built a number of successful businesses in the Internet, mobile and telecoms sectors. After he figured out his problems he started making money. First he started hospitality recruitment company, then he open an internet cafe for the workers. It turned it into a world group called Fonegome. After a few months he started prepaid phone card company, turned it into a successful business, he sold everything in 2007. The next business was Cubic Telecom, the company raised more then $12M for a few years. Cubic Telecom was sold to the other shareholders. The last business project of Pat Phelan is Identity verification platform called Trustev. In 2013 Trustev was awarded the coveted title of Europe’s Top Technology Start-up by the EU Commission and in December 2013 Trustev was named one of the Top 10 global technology start-up companies by Forbes magazine. What is the key to every successful businesses founded from Pat? He credits his success to having mentors, such as long-time friend Liam Casey, the multi-millionaire founder of PCH International and working with smart people. “Everyone, including my partner Chris Kennedy, is smarter than me,” Phelan said. “I’m a great team builder and I think that’s the key to it all.” You may take advantage of the special Early bird prices of the Global Webit Congress and book your ticket for the Leaders of the Future Tech Summit (Blue Ticket) for as low as 160 EUR - the most democratic ticket price for a premium Tech event in the world. Find out more: http://www.webit.org/en/2014/price.html