About

YES for Europe

Our Vision

To be a pan-European network dynamically connecting young entrepreneurs and to provide support from idea generation to scale-up of their enterprises to job generation and wealth via innovation, collaboration and trade.
To promote increased cooperation and shared practice to build capacity amongst member associations and bridging them to the international networks it belongs to,
To ensure the understanding of the importance and value of an efficient entrepreneurial ecosystem.

YES for Europe

Our Mission

Yes for Europe aspires to be a driving force ensuring young entrepreneurs lead the economic, industrial and social renaissance of a new, resilient, digitized and integrated Europe.

YES for Europe

Our Goals

To understand, celebrate, connect young entrepreneurs in Europe by supporting them in taking advantage of the unparalleled united European Union market of 500M+ people and €13+ trillions
To gather Young Entrepreneurs to represent the EU at International Relations projects such as G20 Young Entrepreneurs’ Alliance.
To intensify entrepreneurial activity and impact
To facilitate know-how, success stories and role models sharing among the YES for Europe member Associations
To pursue research, publish white papers and promote soft lobby efforts towards a more entrepreneurship friendly legislative, financial and educational environment in Europe.

Who We Are

With Europe being the hub of some of the business capitals of the world, it is therefore fitting for YES for Europe – The European Confederation of Young Entrepreneurs to provide an active platform for young entrepreneurs across the continent to connect their resources, leverage of each other’s network and strengths and pave their way to success. Founded in 1988, YES for Europe is the most influencive voice of young entrepreneurs in Europe, connecting and representing the interests of the most important national associations across the continent. Through our members we are speaking up for 100,000 and counting of the most dynamics entrepreneurs under the age of 45 and aim at improving the economic and social performance of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Europe. YES Members are a think tank of robust and aspirational entrepreneurs from 15 of the 28 EU countries representing Albania, Bulgaria, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Malta, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Turkey and the United Kingdom. In addition, we are honored to welcome as YES Affiliated Members associations from neighboring countries such as Armenia, Georgia, Switzerland and Russia.

Board Of Directors (2024)

GÜRKAN YILDIRIM

Gürkan Yıldırım was born in Istanbul on August 11, 1980. He completed his secondary and high school education at Şişli Terakki High School. He pursued his undergraduate studies in International Finance at Istanbul Bilgi University, where he also completed his master’s degree in General Business Administration.

In 1999, while continuing his university education, he started working at Geoteknik A.Ş., a company in which he is also a partner, operating in the field of Geotechnical Engineering within the construction industry. He held various positions including Finance Director, Purchasing Director, and Business Development Director, before taking on roles as Executive Board Member and Chairman of the Board. He has been active in countries such as Libya, Lebanon, Azerbaijan, and Georgia.

In 2012, Gürkan Yıldırım began his own entrepreneurial ventures and continues his business activities in Turkey and Romania. In Turkey, he is the Chairman of the Board of AKTU International Consultancy and Engineering Inc., which operates in the fields of Carbon Footprint Measurement Processes, Renewable Energy Investments, Geotechnical Engineering, and Construction. He is also a founding partner of Fido Park SRL. Through his group of companies, he provides technical, legal, and financial consultancy services, project and contract management consultancy, and exclusive representation for Turkish and international companies in large-scale infrastructure and superstructure projects, especially in the Balkan region of Europe. Additionally, he is involved in construction investments in Romania and engages in import and export activities in the European region, while also providing consultancy services to international companies looking to invest in or form partnerships in Turkey.

Gürkan Yıldırım joined TÜGİAD in April 2012. He has served as Romania Representative, Vice Chairman of the Board for two terms, President of YES for Europe, the European Confederation of Young Entrepreneurs, Vice President of JEUNE, the Young Entrepreneurs Organization of the European Union, and President of G20 YEA Turkey. On April 30, 2023, he was elected as the President of TÜGİAD, receiving all the votes in the ordinary general assembly.