About

Technologist

My journey in software development began in 2001 when I started modding forums. Soon after, I found myself at the intersection of software and commerce, as I began coding software solutions tailored for small merchants.

I specialise in digital transformation and modernisation programs, migrating from legacy platforms to cloud-native and headless commerce architectures. I build and scale remote, distributed product development organisations. My strategic initiatives have resulted in growth by expanding into new geographies and categories, with a keen focus on localisation. I am committed to operational excellence and have consistently improved customer experience and efficiency by investing in back-office systems using automation and data engineering. I have valuable experience supporting investment and M&A transactions through due diligence and integration strategies.

I serve as Vice President of Engineering (VPE) at Justlife. Prior to that role, I was Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at LoveCrafts and Namshi as well as Project CTO at Rocket Internet. For a comprehensive overview of my professional experience, please refer to my LinkedIn profile.

Traveler

My father, Nuri, immigrated to Germany to work as a coal miner in 1973. Fourteen years later, he retrained to be an international coach driver. Throughout my childhood, I had the privilege of accompanying him on numerous tours across Europe. It was during those travels that I became fascinated by the diverse cultures and customs in the places we stopped by. I attribute my enduring wanderlust to these formative experiences.

Subsequently, my passion for travel has taken me to explore more than 56 countries. I am eager to share my experiences from these journeys on this website in the near future.

Aviator

In 2017, I realised that lifelong interests need not be confined to mere geekiness. With renewed determination, I set out to broaden my horizons. I began by reconnecting with one of my earliest memories: going on coach tours with my father. In Germany, one can either obtain a bus licence directly or take a sequenced approach by first acquiring truck and articulated truck licences. I opted for the latter and added a motorcycle licence to complete the set. I then took the wheel of coaches for charitable organisations and clubs, even sharing the driver’s seat with my father. However, life soon led me to relocate, just as my father was retiring. Those few tours we shared together will always hold a special place in my heart.

In the early 90s, alongside driving coaches, my father founded a travel agency that sold tickets for the now-defunct Istanbul Airlines. Growing up, I was exposed to the intricacies of ticketing, but our family typically travelled to Turkey by car or bus. It was only in the year 1995 that we opted for air travel for our summer holiday. That first flight on a Boeing 737 left such a lasting impression on me that I decided I wanted to become a pilot. However, as I progressed through school, opportunities related to my computer skills emerged, and I followed those paths instead, as the route to becoming a pilot seemed out of reach.

Over the years, I’ve embarked on hundreds of flights, reigniting my deep fascination with every aspect of aviation through observation and research. To immerse myself further, I set up a flight simulator, familiarising myself with aircraft such as the Airbus A320 and A350. However, my passion for aviation remained unquenched. I eventually enrolled in a flight school, where I successfully earned my Private Pilot Licence (PPL) and Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL). I am currently rated for Single-Engine Piston (Land), Multi-Engine Piston (Land), and both Single-Engine and Multi-Engine Instrument flying. Additionally, I have completed Advanced Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (AUPRT).

Personal Life

I was born in Herne, Germany, where I spent the first 22 years of my life. I have since resided in chronological order in Dortmund, Berlin, Dubai, San Francisco, London, Hamburg and Bremen. Since early 2020, I have called Istanbul, Turkey, my home – a city I proudly regard as the most magnificent city in the world.

I share my life with my dear wife Hilal, along with our beloved children, Hümeyra and Halis.

Follow me on

For aviation and travel stories, follow me on Instagram.
For aviation videos, follow me on YouTube.
For professional updates, follow me on LinkedIn.
For anything else, follow me on Twitter.