Formus Capital

Esas Holding stands as a prominent investment powerhouse with diversified interests spanning private equity, real estate, venture capital, and social impact investments. Founded in 2000 by the Sabancı family, one of Turkey's most influential business dynasties, the firm has evolved into a sophisticated investment platform managing assets worth over $4 billion. Their strategic approach combines financial acumen with long-term vision, enabling them to identify high-potential opportunities across emerging markets. With headquarters in Istanbul and offices in key financial centers, Esas has positioned itself as a bridge between Eastern and Western investment ecosystems.

The holding's investment portfolio reflects remarkable sector diversity, with significant stakes in aviation, retail, healthcare, food and beverage, and technology companies. Their most notable investment was in Pegasus Airlines, which they transformed from a small charter operation into Turkey's leading low-cost carrier before executing a successful IPO. In the technology space, Esas has backed numerous scale-ups through their dedicated venture arm, focusing on fintech, healthtech, and e-commerce platforms that demonstrate strong growth potential and innovative business models. Their real estate division manages premium commercial and residential properties across Turkey and select European markets.

What distinguishes Esas Holding is their collaborative investment philosophy that emphasizes strategic partnerships with both local entrepreneurs and global institutional investors. The firm typically takes significant minority or controlling positions in their portfolio companies, providing not just capital but also operational expertise and access to their extensive business network. Their investment horizon tends to be longer than typical private equity firms, often spanning 7-10 years to allow for sustainable value creation. This patient capital approach has enabled Esas to weather market volatility while maintaining consistent returns that exceed industry benchmarks in the Turkish and broader EMEA markets.

Beyond commercial investments, Esas has demonstrated a strong commitment to social responsibility through their foundation, which focuses on youth education, employment, and entrepreneurship initiatives. The holding maintains a disciplined investment process with rigorous due diligence and active portfolio management, resulting in several successful exits that have cemented their reputation for excellence. Under the leadership of Chairman Ali Sabancı, Esas continues to expand its international footprint while maintaining deep roots in Turkey, positioning the firm as a key facilitator of capital flows between developed markets and high-growth emerging economies. Their forward-looking strategy increasingly emphasizes sustainable investments and digital transformation opportunities across their target sectors.