Turkey Named as Host Country for Fourth Annual Dell Women’s Entrepreneur Network Event

ROUND ROCK, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dell announced today it will host the fourth annual Dell Women’s Entrepreneur Network (DWEN) conference in Istanbul, Turkey, June 2-4, 2013. The two-day, invitation-only event connects female founders, CEOs and leaders of high-growth businesses in some of the world’s top entrepreneurial marketplaces to share best practices and challenges and spotlight the positive impact women-owned businesses have on the global economy.

“It is great that members of Dell’s Network have recognized the entrepreneurial spirit of Turkey. International events such as this play an important part in helping to inspire and motivate both our current and future generation of entrepreneurs.”

Current Network members and Dell chose Turkey for the 2013 event because it is one of the fastest-growing markets in the world, strategically located between Europe, the Middle East and Central Asia. Regulatory and taxation changes have fostered a culture of innovation and support for entrepreneurs and small businesses, resulting in an economic growth rate of nearly 9 percent in 2011ⁱ.

“Dell is committed to accelerating the advancement of women globally by fostering entrepreneurship,” said Karen Quintos, Dell senior vice president and chief marketing officer. “Through our Network, Dell connects female entrepreneurs with the right technology as well as access to capital, networks and new markets. Globally the number of women entrepreneurs is growing, and we believe there is great potential for the Turkish female community as well as female entrepreneurs to access this growing marketⁱⁱ.”

The theme of next year’s event, “Pay it Forward,” focuses on how women can positively impact and reinvigorate entire communities by giving back to those in need. In Turkey, this call to “pay it forward” rings true as the creation of startups and small businesses, especially in the growing technology market, is seen as a force to stabilize employment and support continued growth. Turkey’s technological advancements are becoming internationally recognized and the country’s newly-created science and technology park, Teknopark Istanbul, is being touted by many as “The Next Silicon Valley.”

“Turkey has undergone a significant number of institutional reforms in recent years and as a result, the entrepreneurial climate is thriving. While accessing capital remains a challenge for Turkish entrepreneurs, microfinancing and levels of angel and venture capital investments show an upward trend, but there is still much that can be done to help Turkish female entrepreneurs reach their full potential,” said Didem Altop, managing director of Endeavor Turkey. “It is great that members of Dell’s Network have recognized the entrepreneurial spirit of Turkey. International events such as this play an important part in helping to inspire and motivate both our current and future generation of entrepreneurs.”

Dell Women’s Entrepreneur Network 2013 attendees will be challenged to share their knowledge and experiences to help power women to further their own businesses and the global economy. With speakers representing Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Turkey, United Kingdom, and the United States, the program will address:

The role of microfinance in emerging countries
Venture Capitols: Entrepreneurial innovation found in unexpected places
Social entrepreneurship
Doing business in Turkey
Disruptive technologies and operating models

The program will also spotlight entrepreneurial success stories in an atmosphere designed for establishing this important and much needed network during the event and beyond.

Together with the Ernst & Young Entrepreneurial Winning Women program, Endeavor, Kauffman Foundation, and Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the Network strives to bring together hundreds of female entrepreneurs and leaders to reach a multitude of individuals seeking ways to impact their companies and communities through new business relationships, expanded markets and advanced technology solutions.

Women leaders are invited to join in the conversation and share who and what inspires and motivates them as entrepreneurs and leaders through the Women Powering Business Network group on LinkedIn.

For more on previous Network events in Shanghai (2010), Rio de Janeiro (2011) and New Delhi (2012) and other women’s initiatives at Dell, go to www.dell.com/women. Content about the event can be found on Twitter via @DellBizWomen and by following #dwen.

About Dell

As the visionary outcome of a true entrepreneur, Dell (NASDAQ: DELL) is committed to help power the success of entrepreneurs by developing technology solutions that help their businesses increase productivity and grow. Through the Dell Women’s Entrepreneur Network, Dell supports and nurtures a community of female entrepreneurs by providing access to knowledge, networks, and capital. Learn more at www.dell.com/women.

Dell is a trademark of Dell Inc. Dell disclaims any proprietary interest in the marks and names of others.

ⁱ Source: IMF World Economic Outlook April 2012, Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat) http://www.invest.gov.tr/en-us/turkey/factsandfigures/pages/economy.aspx

ⁱⁱ According to the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB)