Szone, a smart vending and mobile retail platform, has successfully raised ₺3.5 million in funding from Asya Ventures at a ₺35 million valuation. The investment round also included participation from a seasoned executive with 25+ years of experience in the vending industry, a member of Asya Ventures’ investor network.
Beyond financial support, this investment provides strategic market insights and access to a strong network, reinforcing its “smart money” value. With this backing, Szone plans to accelerate its expansion across Türkiye, increasing the number of smart vending locations to enhance user experience and market penetration.
Szone: Redefining Automated Retail & Mobile Shopping
Szone is a tech-driven vending and mobile shopping platform that delivers a seamless, fast, and convenient purchasing experience at strategic locations. Through its mobile app, users can browse and buy products with just a few taps.
- Founded in November 2021 with the support of the TÜBİTAK BİGG Entrepreneurship Program
- Completed its MVP (Minimum Viable Product) development in April 2024
- Launched commercial operations at two locations the same month
- Achieved 500+ registered credit card users and over 7,500 successful transactions during the PoC (Proof of Concept) phase
The company is actively working on expanding its vending machine network while continuing discussions with investors.
Strategic Partnerships & Growth Acceleration
Szone is a Tech Istanbul startup and has initiated PoC discussions with BELTUR. Additionally, in 2024, Szone successfully completed the investment-focused acceleration program at Başakşehir Living Lab and signed a PoC partnership agreement with Başakşehir Municipality.
Rapid Growth Potential & Future Vision
This funding will enable Szone to scale its smart vending infrastructure across Türkiye, expanding its mobile shopping platform to a wider audience. The company also aims to establish itself as a strong player in both domestic and international markets.
Szone’s Vision for Market Leadership
Co-founder Çağlar Büyüktopçu shared his thoughts on the investment:
“With this funding, we will significantly widen our technology gap over competitors. We have no doubt that our innovation will set a global benchmark. Some major partnerships will be announced soon, making a significant impact! We expect our growth in Türkiye to gain serious momentum. Stay tuned!”
Asya Ventures’ Confidence in Szone’s Potential
Asya Ventures Managing Partner, Şerafettin Özsoy, emphasized the sector’s transformation:
“The vending industry is evolving rapidly with new technologies. Innovative players in this space can both expand market share and create entirely new markets. With its strong technology, talented team, and ambitious vision, Szone is well-positioned to become a global leader in smart vending solutions.”
Investment Signing Ceremony at Startup Investment Summit
The investment signing ceremony took place at the Startup Investment Summit, attended by:
- Szone Co-Founders: Çağlar Büyüktopçu, Serkan Işgın, Hakan Danışman, and Oğuzhan Aktay
- in4startups Co-Founder: Ahmet Sefa Bir
- Asya Ventures Managing Partner: Şerafettin Özsoy
- The full Szone team
With strong investor backing, strategic partnerships, and an innovative approach to automated retail, Szone is poised for rapid growth, reshaping the future of smart vending and mobile retail.
