Yasemin Eda Erdal Öcal

Yasemin Erdal is the Founder and CEO of E-CO Consulting, a social impact-driven innovation consultancy based in Ankara. She leads efforts to empower deeptech start-ups and early-stage entrepreneurs—especially those tackling societal and environmental challenges—by providing tailored support in innovation management, technology transfer, access to finance, and policy development.

E-CO Consulting works with underrepresented entrepreneurs, universities, technoparks, and NGOs to strengthen local innovation ecosystems, unlock funding, and build capacity. With over 3,000 technology-driven ventures supported and €15 million in mobilized funding, the company’s work directly to contribute to several UN Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure).

A passionate advocate for inclusive innovation, Yasemin spearheaded the launch of Turkey’s first deeptech incubator, a pioneering initiative aimed at transforming research-driven innovations into globally scalable ventures and has mentored women-led ventures across Europe and the Middle East. She also leads the GOAL Project, funded by the EU, which supports SMEs and exporters in adopting green, sustainable, and digital practices. In 2023, she was selected as a global fellow of the Fortune 500 – U.S. Department of State Global Women’s Mentoring Program, and previously as one of 20 emerging Turkish leaders under the Young Turkey Young America initiative.

She holds a BSc in International Relations, an MBA, and an MSc as a Jean Monnet Scholar, and is a certified World Bank trainer and active angel investor.