1. Balyolu: The Honey Road
It’s Adventure @ Its
Sweetest!
GSVC Semi-Finals 2011-2012
London Business School

2. YOU: Are looking for sustainable, scalable,
environmental social enterprises.
WE: Are your match and we’re sticky for social
good. What does this mean?
NOW: We will challenge the way you view
tourism, honey, and rural Turkey.

3. 1. The Team
Burcu Uzer Deniz Duygu Cat Jaffee
Director CFO CEO
Tourism professional, Corporate Relations, Vision, Fulbright Fellow, Luce
6 years experience MBA, Audit experience Scholar, Ashoka Employee.
working for Smithsonian w/nonprofit & corporates Lives in beekeeping villages

4. 1. The Team
Alex Barberis Sertac Turhal Our Communities
Business Advisor Operations Advisor Local Leaders
Finance professional, Operations expert, Community support
MBA, experience w/ UNDP Regional Admin from local non-profits
new ventures & startups for Kars, Ardahan, Artvin & village groups

5. 2. The Problem
10,000,000 + Rural Women in Turkey

6. 2. The Problem
TURKE
Over 80%
Y surveyed leave
for economic
opportunities.
Turkey ranks 7th
worldwide for
highest urban
population.
TURKEY
Lack of Rural livelihoods & Migration

7. 3. Our Approach:
The Model
Incubate GREEN
Rural Women-Led
Businesses
Build GREEN
Village Hospitality Community Funds for
Education, Health, Bu
siness...
Connect Travelers

8. 3. Our Approach: Scalability
Spread Model Across Silk Road: 70,000,000 Women

9. 4. Implementation:
Proof of Concept
Pilot Tours
Launched
Raising Capital
& Selling Trips Teaming up with
local/Global
partners
Vision, Travel, R&D

10. 4. Implementation:
A Different Kind of Balance Sheet
ASSETS LIABILITIES
Our Team Our Promise to the:
Our Network People
Our Strategic Alliances Tourists
Local Support Environment
The Amazing Nature EQUITY
The Rich Culture Our Social Impact

11. 4. Implementation:
Social Impact
Quantify and measure
impact
Consider unintended
consequences
SROI = $3.64

12. 4. Implementation: Finances
Breakeven in June 2012
$80,000
Fundraising covers costs
Low COGS = high margins
Balyolu can still contribute
Operating expenses minimized
Costs increase yearly

13. 4. Implementation:
Balyolu Highlights
Operating expenses have been met for year 1
Market has shown an interest in honey tours
High SROI supported by strong underlying financials
Self-sustaining from Year 1, returns 30% that can be
reinvested

14. Summary: Balyolu
The Problem (pain)
• Unemployment and Lack of Opportunities
• Migration to large cities leave rural areas under developed
Our Approach (solution)
• Provide vocational/technical trainings to women
• Sustainable and scalable operations
Implementation
• Provide opportunities for rural women in their villages
• Create an eco-toursim experience rooted in all 5 senses

15. Thank you
Teşekkürler