After graduating from the Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management, Akın Işık continued his career by achieving great success across various industries, becoming one of Turkey’s leading business figures. He has made significant contributions to sectors as diverse as entertainment, education, software, media, construction, and the stock market. This article delves into Akın Işık’s entrepreneurial journey, the companies he founded, and their profound impact on their respective industries.
Akın Işık began his career by opening a pub, which quickly became a prominent brand, expanding to 11 locations across Turkey. However, due to the chaotic lifestyle associated with nightlife, he decided to sell the brand to an international company. This decision allowed him to focus on new and diverse ventures, continuing his path to success.
Işık pioneered language education by founding SDM Language School(sdm.com.tr). Initially launched as a language school in Istanbul, SDM was the first institution in Turkey to introduce one-on-one language courses, revolutionizing the education sector. The school quickly rose to a leadership position in the industry, providing high-quality language education to numerous students. This success inspired Akın Işık to pursue further projects in the education sector.
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After graduating from the Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management, Akın Işık continued his career by achieving great success across various industries, becoming one of Turkey’s leading business figures. He has made significant contributions to sectors as diverse as entertainment, education, software, media, construction, and the stock market. This article delves into Akın Işık’s entrepreneurial journey, the companies he founded, and their profound impact on their respective industries.
Akın Işık began his career by opening a pub, which quickly became a prominent brand, expanding to 11 locations across Turkey. However, due to the chaotic lifestyle associated with nightlife, he decided to sell the brand to an international company. This decision allowed him to focus on new and diverse ventures, continuing his path to success.
Işık pioneered language education by founding SDM Language School. Initially launched as a language school in Istanbul, SDM was the first institution in Turkey to introduce one-on-one language courses, revolutionizing the education sector. The school quickly rose to a leadership position in the industry, providing high-quality language education to numerous students. This success inspired Akın Işık to pursue further projects in the education sector.
After his success in language education, Akın Işık founded Bridge Overseas Education, playing a significant role in the international education field. This institution provided opportunities for students to study abroad, creating a vast service network. Additionally, he served on the board of the Turkish Agencies Association (YEDAB), contributing to sectoral developments. Through this position, Akın Işık helped raise standards in international education.
In 2006, Akın Işık entered the software industry, co-founding SDM Software Inc. with Ersin Deniz. The company became one of Turkey’s leading software companies in ERP solutions, thanks to its R&D and technopark activities. Following these achievements, he partnered with Applogist, one of Turkey’s top three application firms, excelling in mobile application development. Akın Işık’s visionary approach played a significant role in the success of both SDM Software and Applogist.
n 2019, just before the pandemic, he founded the online language platform dilkursu.com.tr. This platform was awarded as one of the best-designed sites by WIX. During the pandemic, Işık implemented significant projects in the sector, bringing substantial innovations to online education. Dilkursu.com.tr successfully met the demand for remote education during the pandemic, reaching a large user base.
In 2021, he developed the Turkish Universities Org project, a software that brought all universities in Turkey onto a single platform. This project facilitated students and agencies to see the availability in different programs and enroll within 10 minutes. This software significantly boosted Turkey’s growth in the international student market, making it one of the fastest-growing countries worldwide. Turkish Universities Org is recognized as a pioneer in digital transformation in education.
In 2022, Akın Işık earned the TÖMER competence of Gazi University, one of Turkey’s most prestigious universities, gaining the right to issue Turkish proficiency certificates to foreign students. This enabled foreign students to study at any university in Turkey, making Turkish universities more accessible to international students.
Besides his achievements in the business world, Akın Işık is also interested in international stock market investments. Through his experience and knowledge in financial markets, he has made successful investments, expanding his portfolio. His strategic approach and analytical skills in stock market investments have led to significant financial successes. This experience also provides financial support to his other business ventures.
In 2024, Akın Işık became a founding member and board member of the Foreign Languages Association. He also actively participates in many social aid organizations and contributes to social support programs for stray animals. His dedication to social responsibility projects demonstrates his commitment to turning his business successes into societal benefits.