Professional Summary
Professional Overview
Akar Sumset is a seasoned product and user experience professional with extensive experience in the tech industry. He is the Co-Founder of Neol, an innovative startup in London, and also serves as an Organizer at ProductTank Istanbul, a Mentor at FasterCapital, and the Founder of Invertiv.
Experience Summary
Current Roles
Co-Founder, Neol (2022-Present)
- Co-leading the strategic direction and product development for Neol, a cutting-edge startup in London
- Driving the execution of innovative product and user experience initiatives to achieve key business objectives
- Fostering a collaborative and agile work environment to drive high-impact results
Organizer, ProductTank Istanbul (2017-Present)
- Organizing and hosting regular events to bring together product professionals, share best practices, and foster community engagement
- Curating thought-provoking discussions and workshops to advance the product management discipline in the local market
Mentor, FasterCapital (2017-Present)
- Providing strategic guidance and mentorship to early-stage startups, focusing on product development, user experience, and growth strategies
- Leveraging industry expertise to help entrepreneurs overcome challenges and accelerate their ventures
Founder, Invertiv (2018-Present)
- Leading the development and deployment of innovative technology solutions for clients across various industries
- Fostering a culture of continuous innovation and client-centric problem-solving
Career Progression
Director, London, ATOLYE (2020-2022)
- Spearheaded the expansion of ATOLYE's design and product services in the London market
- Grew the local team and client portfolio, driving significant revenue growth and market impact
Head of User Experience and Product Management, Ozan.com (2016-2017)
- Transformed the user experience and product strategy for Ozan.com, a leading fintech platform in Turkey
- Implemented agile product development processes and data-driven decision-making to enhance user engagement and business performance
Head of UX and Product Management, Emlakjet (2014-2016)
- Led the UX and product management function, driving the development and launch of innovative real estate technology solutions
- Optimized user flows, improved product usability, and increased user adoption and retention
Academic Background
Akar Sumset holds a Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering from Boğaziçi University, one of the top universities in Turkey.
Areas of Expertise
- Product management and strategy
- User experience design and research
- Agile software development
- Gamification and user engagement
- Mentorship and community building
Professional Impact
- Spearheaded the successful expansion of ATOLYE's design and product services in the London market, driving significant revenue growth and client impact
- Transformed the user experience and product strategy for Ozan.com, leading to enhanced user engagement and business performance
- Organized numerous ProductTank Istanbul events, fostering a vibrant community of product professionals and advancing the discipline in the local market
- Leveraged industry expertise to provide strategic guidance and mentorship to early-stage startups, helping them overcome challenges and accelerate their growth
Conclusion
With a proven track record of driving innovation, fostering collaborative environments, and delivering measurable business impact, Akar Sumset is a versatile product and user experience professional poised to make a significant contribution to the tech industry. His diverse experience, strong leadership skills, and commitment to continuous learning make him a valuable asset to any organization seeking to enhance its product offerings and user-centric solutions.
