Yavuz Selim Yaşar is a Ph.D.-level business development strategist and startup ecosystem builder with deep roots in the Dutch–Turkish innovation corridor. Armed with degrees from Kocaeli University (BSc), Bahçeşehir University (MSc Marketing), and Yildiz Technical University (PhD in Business Administration), he combines academic depth with real startup-floor energy.
Previously, he served as Senior Project Manager at the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency in Istanbul and as Science, Innovation & Technology Advisor at the Netherlands Innovation Network — where he was the go-to connector between Dutch and Turkish ecosystems, orchestrating bilateral R&D collaborations and high-impact business missions.
As the Business Development Director and a Facilitation Program Manager at The Unusual Space, and as one of the leading Mentors of the Facilitation Program, Yavuz drives the full journey for international tech startups entering the Netherlands and EU — from business model validation and go-to-market strategy to Startup Visa navigation and investor readiness. He has personally guided 40+ international tech startups through the Dutch ecosystem through structured, network-driven collaboration.
Alongside his role at The Unusual Space, Yavuz also serves as a strategic advisor to many growth-stage startups, acting as a trusted sparring partner to the founder/CEO on business strategy, team structure, and scaling decisions. His network spans accelerators, public institutions, investors, and regional development organizations across the Netherlands. Whether unlocking an EU funding opportunity, validating a business plan, or making the right introduction, Yavuz is the bridge between bold founding ambitions and real traction in Europe's most startup-friendly market.
