Building Young: AI Startup, University Life & Turning Down an Equity Offer | Mert Demirel

In this episode of Young Founders Collective, Defne sits down with Mert, a student founder co-building an AI-powered platform, to explore what it really looks like to balance university life and building a company.

The conversation quickly moves into something more personal, the weight of making decisions most people don’t face until much later. Mert shares the story behind turning down a $500,000 equity offer, the kind of opportunity many founders chase, and the internal factors that shaped his decision-making.

He also reflects on how growing up across international cities influenced his discipline and ambition, and how that global lens continues to shape the way he builds today.

Together, they explore how a globally raised generation approaches building differently, and why being young gives you the confidence that if something happens once, it can happen again, giving you more flexibility in the decisions you make.

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?is=fKkDmVWne3AYSsRB&v=R2VWVhqHd6w&feature=youtu.be

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/16qggwb2hrTx9wYLeYMohQ?si=qb_Ffit_QU6ApdPVmNNKqg&nd=1&dlsi=b730f41271444f04

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/es/podcast/young-founders-collective/id1879274392?i=1000760411681

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In this episode, Defne Gürkan sits down with Enzo Jerez, founder of deep-tech biomaterial startup Spideytek, for a conversation on building a highly technical company at a young age and redefining the future of materials.

They dive into how Spideytek began, from father–son conversations during long car rides to developing the world’s first plant-based spider silk production platform. Enzo shares how his passion for physics evolved early on and continues to shape the way he approaches building and problem-solving.

This episode is for anyone interested in building with family and deep-tech innovation.

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In this episode, Defne Gürkan sits down with her close friend and co-founder Derin Erdem for a candid conversation about building a social initiative at a young age, centered around education and environmental awareness. They reflect on the founding journey of Yeşil Dünyamız (Our Green Earth), discussing what they learned through the process and what they would do differently if they were starting again today.

Beyond the initiative, the conversation expands into the education system and the role of creativity within it. Studying Media and Culture, Derin talks about how traditional education systems often lack space for creativity and hands-on learning. Together, they explore what a more creative and community-driven education model could look like, one that prioritizes collaboration and experimentation.

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Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5bEv8QLzdQiZU9waDbFbId?si=2488ae7ff9de494d

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/es/podcast/young-founders-collective/id1879274392

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In this episode, Defne sits down with Martin Kostadinov, founder of a SYNEX, a software and consulting platform that addresses EU sustainability compliances. Together they explore how he changed his habits and stepped up to build something meaningful when no one forced him to change. From his Bulgarian roots to his structured routine as a student in Spain, Martin reflects on the internal shift that pushed him to build something meaningful on his own terms. He shares how rational thinking guide his decisions as a founder.

The conversation dives into the early pivots at SYNEX, unpacking how strategy evolved through trial. Beyond the operational side, they speak about the friendships that have remained steady as everything else changed, and the challenge of balancing ambition with personal relationships. The episode also explores how sports outside of work fuel Martin’s motivation.

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In this debut episode, Defne Gürkan sits down with Diego Verhamme Carmena for a candid conversation about building a mental health start-up at a young age and the personal experiences that shaped his mission. As the founder of Diveinside, Diego opens up about stepping into the complex world of mental health entrepreneurship and why he chose to dedicate his early career to addressing one of the most urgent challenges facing young people today.

They explore the problem Diveinside is trying to solve, how the platform works with schools, and the key trends emerging among students. Rather than pursuing a fully traditional corporate path or starting entirely on his own, Diego chose to join and scale an early-stage venture, taking on responsibility while building within a growing structure. He reflects on the realities of being a young founder, the challenges of being his own boss, and learning when to disconnect and pause. A candid look at building a start up while keeping mental health at the center.

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