Duygu Okesli Aydın
Digital Innovation & Ecosystem Management Lead
SOCAR Tech
Over the past decade, I’ve been immersed in the world of multinational energy and petrochemical companies, primarily in Corporate Innovation roles. One of my areas of expertise lies in open innovation, with a particular focus on fostering digital ecosystems and collaborating with startups worldwide to drive the digital transformation of organizations. Additionally, I’ve had the privilege of mentoring startups by holding accreditation to accelerate their growth and have been actively involved in various startup events as a host and speaker.
I’m scouting approximately 400 digital solutions globally each year, aligning them with our business needs and corporate strategy. This involves engaging in around 120 1:1 meetings annually with startups/scale-ups. I oversee the assessment and integration of emerging technologies through PoCs in the energy sector, guiding the entire process from initial discussions and evaluation to PoC implementation, always considering feasibility and impact. Last year alone, I led the launch of 17 PoCs aimed at driving digital innovation and generating new revenue streams through startup collaborations, overseeing all legal, accounting, and financial aspects.