WBAF announces Dr Paul Doany, former CEO of Turk Telekom, has been recognised as WBAF High Commissioner for promoting information & communication technology (TMT/ICT) sector development, especially startups / SMEs in this sector.
An affiliated partner of the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI), the World Business Angels Investment Forum (WBAF) is committed to collaborating globally to empower world economic development by creating innovative financial instruments for innovators, start-ups, and SMEs.
Dr Doany has been in TMT/ICT (Information & Communication Technology) sector throughout his career, starting in telecom network engineering, reaching telco / CEO level, expanding later into the management of Venture Capital, focused on technology startups and early-stage IT/internet companies, as well as renewable energy. High Commissioner Dr Doany will represent the information & communication technology (TMT/ICT) sector global development at the Grand Assembly of the World Business Angels Investment Forum.
WBAF announces Dr Paul Doany, former CEO of Turk Telekom, will represent the information & communication technology sector (TMT/ICT) at the Grand Assembly of the World Business Angels Investment Forum as High Commissioner.
He served as CEO of Türk Telekom (TT) for a total of 8 years, in two terms (2005-2011, and 2016-2019), helping the company expand services, reaching 47 million customers / 34k staff, and expand its CVC (corporate venture capital arm, focusing on health, education and energy verticals). In his first tenure, he led its public BIST listing (Istanbul Stock Exchange) in 2008, including full acquisition of four IT/technology companies (Argela/Innova/Sebit), and international wholesale operations. In the intervening period (2011-2016), and to date, he managed VC investments in various startups and early stage technology companies. Prior to 2005, he was the Oger Group as founding CEO of their Telecom company, where he led the successful bid for including operational startup until the full launch of ‘Cell C’ in South Africa, as well as other IT/internet acquisitions (e.g. Cyberia in Lebanon, Jordan and Saudi Arabia).
Prior to above, he was in the telecommunications consultancy business for 14 years as Managing Director of Dar Consultants (London), as well as Director/Partner Dar Al Handasah Consultants (Shair & Partners), having built up its telecom practice from inception. Prior to that, he was Senior Lecturer in the American University of Beirut (AUB), Electronics/Communications Department for 4 years, and focused on Telecommunications Engineering.
Dr Doany holds PhD in Communications Engineering (UMIST, Manchester, UK, 1981); MSc in Digital Electronics & Communications Engineering (Bradford University, UK, 1978), and BE in Electrical/Electronics Engineering (AUB, Beirut, 1977).
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In summary, over the past 25 years, he served as:
- Chairman (1x VC, 3x Telecom Ops, >5 IT);
- Vice Chairman / Board Member (>10x Telecom/IT/Consulting, 1x Geothermal);
- CEO (3x Telecom Ops);
- Managing Director / Managing Partner (2x Engineering Consultancy, 1x VC), and
- Senior Lecturer (University)
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Baybars Altuntas, WBAF Chairman, says, ‘’I believe that the participation of Dr Paul Doany, former CEO of Turk Telekom in WBAF will bring a wide range of opportunities for startups, scaleups and high-growth businesses that are innovating through innovation and that more doors will open for economic development. Startups, scaleups, entrepreneurs, SMEs and high-growth businesses around the world through innovation will now be able to connect more easily with the global investors market, which will in turn open up splendid opportunities for the world economy”
As an affiliated partner of the G20 Global Partnerships for Financial Inclusion (GPFI), the WBAF supports startups, develops entrepreneurial ecosystems, and helps venture capital and companies connect with international companies, fintechs and other relevant institutions. We are confident about our contribution to the economic development of countries by way of facilitating connections with entrepreneurial ecosystems.
Welcoming Dr Paul Doany, former CEO of Turk Telekom
It is with sincere pleasure that WBAF welcomes Dr Paul Doany, former CEO of Turk Telekom, to the world’s early-stage equity and capital markets. The world economy will be enhanced by espousing the values of Dr Paul Doany.
With its 114 High Commissioners, Senators and International Partners in 67 countries and by working together across borders, with a common vision, and with these smart dynamics in mind, we are well placed to bring about positive change in the global economy and to help create new jobs, social justice and freedom all around the world.’’
About the World Business Angels Investment Forum (WBAF)
An affiliated partner of the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI), the World Business Angels Investment Forum (WBAF) is an international organisation aiming to ease access to finance for businesses from start-up to scale-up, with the ultimate goal of generating more jobs and more social justice worldwide. It is committed to collaborating globally to empower world economic development by creating innovative financial instruments for innovators, start-ups, and SMEs. The Forum interacts with leaders in all areas of society, first and foremost in business and political spheres, to help assess needs and establish goals, bearing in mind that the public interest is of paramount importance. WBAF engages a wide range of institutions, both public and private, local and international, commercial and academic to help shape the global agenda.
About GPFI
The Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI) is an inclusive platform for all G20 countries, interested non-G20 countries, and relevant stakeholders to carry forward work on financial inclusion, including implementation of the G20 Financial Inclusion Action Plan endorsed at the G20 Summit in Seoul. Queen Maxima of the Netherlands is the Honorary Patron of the GPFI.
