\u201cEmpowering women entrepreneurs is not just a matter of social responsibility \u2014 it is a business priority and a strategic investment in inclusive economic economic growth,\u201d says Selin \u00d6z, Manager for Entrepreneurship Banking at Garanti BBVA. What began 20 years ago as a pioneering effort to serve an underserved segment in T\u00fcrkiye has evolved into a globally recognized model that drives both measurable impact and business value.<\/p>\n
Although T\u00fcrkiye ranks among the world\u2019s 20 largest economies, for decades one of its greatest growth levers – women – has been underutilized: women comprise 49.8% of the population, yet their labor force participation remains at just 34.3%, significantly lower than the OECD average of 63%.<\/p>\n
\u201cRecognizing this, Garanti BBVA took action in 2005 with the vision to become the bank of choice for women entrepreneurs. We set out to close this gap not only by expanding access to finance, but by redefining what a bank can do to enable long-term business success,\u201d explains \u00d6z.<\/p>\n
Designing a Tailored Model for a New Business Segment<\/p>\n
From the beginning, the bank established a clear definition of women entrepreneurs: this category includes companies in which women hold more than 50% of the shareholding, as well as self-employed professionals and individual business owners. This classification enabled the collection of sex-disaggregated data, track performance, measure impact \u2014 and ultimately, manage this segment with the same rigor as any other business line.<\/p>\n
This clarity has been key for developing a tailored offering that meets the specific needs of women entrepreneurs at each stage of their business lifecycle. The support model is built around four pillars, reflecting the key barriers identified:<\/p>\n
Access to finance. Tailored loans, better terms, and gender-neutral credit policies. The bank has channelled more than \u20ac5 billion for the last five years, of which \u20ac2.5 billion in 2025 alone.
\nEducation and training. Programs like the Women Entrepreneurs Academy with Bo\u011fazi\u00e7i University, have reached 6,000 graduates in 30 cities through 50 training courses offered since its creation in 2012.
\nEncouragement and visibility. The Women Entrepreneurs Award<\/a> has received more than 48,000 applications since its launch in 2007.
\nAccess to new markets. Helping women scale their businesses beyond local borders through digital tools and ecosystem connections with \u201cWomen in Trade\u201d digital platform, which now counts 2,000 registered women entrepreneurs.<\/p>\n