Building our own table

THE SOMALI CIRCLE EVENT

INSTANBUL

Join us in Istanbul on September 19th as we write the next chapter for Somali entrepreneurs.

After two sold-out events in London and Stockholm, it's clear:

Your next breakthrough doesn’t come from a podcast, a book, or another generic business event. It comes from your own people. Now, all eyes are on Istanbul.

When 100 Somali founders and aspiring entrepreneurs come together in one room, something special happens.

Most people walk in not knowing how many brilliant Somali entrepreneurs live just down the street. They walk out with new clients, new collaborations, and sometimes even a new co‑founder.

They arrive with scattered ideas and uncertainty. They leave with clarity, momentum, and mentors who’ve already walked their path, saving them years of trial and error.

That’s what happened in London, that’s what we saw in Stockholm, and that’s exactly what we’re bringing to Istanbul.

This time, we're taking things to another level. For the first time in the Netherlands, we're launching something new: The Goat Herder, a pitch competition for Somali founders. Win here, and you'll secure a spot at the finals during Somali Week in London, where real investors are ready to fund and mentor the next generation of Somali‑led businesses.

The right room changes everything. Be there.

What we offer

Funding. Community.

Mentorship.

We provide a space where your struggles are understood, your ambitions are celebrated, and your success becomes inevitable.

What you'll hear

Inspiring panel talks

with special guests

Hear firsthand stories and actionable advice from successful Somali entrepreneurs.

Why it matters

Participate in The Goat Herder

Pitch your business directly to Somali investors for a chance to secure funding and mentorship.

The power of connection

Find your mentor

Someone in this room could save you years of trial and error or spark inspiration for your next bold move.

Why attend this
event?

Grow

People walk in with scattered ideas and a head full of questions. They leave with a clear plan, the next three moves and a small circle that will check in to make sure those moves happen. Workshops and Circle Sessions are built for action. On Monday morning you know exactly what to do.

Connect

This is not small talk. This is Somali founders, operators and creatives who understand the pressure, the faith and the ambition. Conversations turn into collaborations, accountability and doors opening you did not know existed. The people you have been looking for are a few seats away.

Get inspired

You hear the full journey. What failed. What finally worked. What they would skip if they started again. Six figure and seven figure founders open the playbook and the parts that almost broke them. You take the shortcuts. You avoid the mistakes. You save years.

Enjoy

Good food. Real laughter. A room designed for us. The energy is different when everyone wants you to win. Building a business should feel exciting, not lonely. Spend one evening here and remember why you started.

Event schedule

Istanbul

Istanbul will be our most valuable event yet. With top speakers, beautiful location and the launch of the first ever Somali Shark Tank.

17:30
Walk-in
17:30 to 18:00

Doors open. Grab a drink, check in, find your seat, and get settled before we begin.

18:00
Circle Sessions
18:00 to 18:45

Small circle groups of 5 to 7 founders share challenges, get to know each other, and support one another to take the next step forward.

18:45
Opening Remarks
18:45 to 19:30

Hosts Jibril and Guleed kick off the evening with a presentation on the Circle + Masterclass, outlining purpose and flow. Small circle groups are introduced to begin connection.

Speakers

Jibril Qorane portrait
Jibril Qorane
Co-Founder • Engineer & Productivity Strategist
Guleed Afhakame portrait
Guleed Afhakame
Co-Founder • Marketing Strategist
19:30
Panel
19:30 to 20:15

Discussion with experienced voices, insights, reflections, and actionable advice for founders.

20:15
Goat Herders
20:15 to 21:15

Four live presentations. Founders pitch, receive feedback, and the audience participates in deciding who advances to Somali Week in London.

21:15
Networking Moment
21:15 to 23:00

Open networking: connect, follow up, and deepen conversations from earlier sessions.

Speakers & Investors

Get the roadmap to six-figure success from Somali entrepreneurs.

Guleed Afhakame

Co-Founder • Marketing Strategist

Guleed Afhakame is a brand and community strategist with over a decade of experience, leading campaigns for global names like Nike, Ben & Jerry’s, Volvo, and Red Bull. After building his own successful agency, he turned his focus to something deeper, helping his own people grow.

As the co founder of The Somali Circle, Guleed brings world-class strategy to Somali entrepreneurs ready to level up. His work blends cultural identity with cutting-edge marketingturning bold ideas into movements, and solo founders into tribal leaders.

Jibril Qorane

Co-Founder • Engineer & Productivity Strategist

Jibril Qorane is a mechanical engineer and the co-founder of the fastest-growing tutoring business in the Netherlands.

With a mind wired for systems and a heart for impact, he’s built a company that transforms potential into performance.

Through his work, Jibril teaches goal-mapping, productivity design, and AI-powered growth frameworks, helping ambitious individuals turn big dreams into clear, actionable systems that create real momentum. At The Somali Circle, he brings structure to vision and shows founders how to build with clarity from day one.

Our Purpose

The circle that moves you forward

The Somali Circle takes its inspiration from a familiar scene: a circle of adeeros sitting beneath the shade of a tree, exchanging stories, wisdom and guidance.

Growing up, Jibril and Guleed watched these gatherings countless times. Elders quietly discussed important matters, solved problems together and made decisions that shaped the community’s future.

Under that tree, great ideas were born and strong connections formed.

Years later, as Somali entrepreneurs scattered around the world, we realised something essential was missing.

A place to come together and build real economic power as a community.

That is why The Somali Circle exists. It recreates that feeling of unity and collective strength we felt watching our adeeros.

It is a global community for Somali entrepreneurs to connect, share knowledge and grow together, no matter where they are in the world.

On September 19th, that tree will be Istanbul.

Ticket deadline

Time is running out to claim your ticket

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Next Pitch Stop: Istanbul September 19th

Pitch Live in

Istanbul

Pitch in front of a live audience, win funding, gain lifelong mentorship, and secure your place in the grand finals during Somali Week in London.

Walk away with more than feedback. Walk away with belief, backing and a circle that has your back.

don't miss out

Ready to join us in
istanbul?

Location: Istanbul

Date: 19-09-2025

Time: 5:30 PM to 11:00 PM

Price: €70.00