We're proud to share major news: Helios has been named the People's Choice Winner at the Istanbul Regional Final of Startup World Cup Türkiye 2026 — earning our spot at the Grand Finale in San Francisco this November.
About Startup World Cup
Organized by Pegasus Tech Ventures, a Silicon Valley-based venture capital firm managing over $2B in assets, Startup World Cup is the world's #1 startup pitch competition. The program runs 100+ regional events across 60+ countries, each highlighting the most promising startups in their region.
The Türkiye edition is led by Marmara Teknokent (MARTEK) with organization by Synergia, bringing together the country's most promising deep-tech and innovation-driven ventures.
The Istanbul Regional Final
Held on June 3, 2026, the Istanbul Regional Final brought together Türkiye's top startups across deep tech, climate, biotech, and AI. After live pitches in front of an international jury and investor audience, Helios was selected as the People's Choice Winner — a recognition decided by the community in the room.
For us, this award carries particular weight. It signals that our mission — scaling MOF-based solutions for industrial decarbonization and water technologies — resonates not just with technical experts and investors, but with the broader ecosystem watching Türkiye's deep-tech rise.
Next Stop: San Francisco
Winning People's Choice at the Istanbul Regional Final earns Helios a place at the Startup World Cup Grand Finale, taking place November 4–6, 2026 at Hilton Union Square, San Francisco. The event brings together top startups, investors, and tech leaders from around the world — and gives us direct access to one of the most influential innovation ecosystems on the planet.
This recognition validates that the climate tech narrative coming out of Türkiye has global resonance. As CBAM, EU ETS, and net-zero mandates reshape industrial procurement decisions, scalable carbon capture solutions are no longer optional — they're essential. Helios is positioning itself as a strategic supplier for this transformation across Europe and MENA, with Silicon Valley exposure now opening doors westward as well.
To everyone who voted, supported, and cheered us on at the Istanbul Regional Final — thank you. This achievement belongs to the entire community building the future of cleantech with us.
San Francisco, we're coming.
