Sinem Ugurdag

Background

About Sinem Ugurdag

I’m an entrepreneur driven by the gap between the world as it is and the world as it could be. For me, entrepreneurship isn’t just about founding companies—it’s about turning meaningful ideas into real companies with the right people around me. Over the years, I’ve built startups at every level—whether as a founder, intern, or COO—because what has always mattered most is the strength of the idea and its potential to create real impact. At 19, I faced the challenges of scaling a startup, which sparked my passion for building and growing businesses. Later, I founded an eco-friendly subscription marketplace as a spin-off from a subscription API project. Although the project didn’t succeed, it strengthened my resilience, sharpened my problem-solving instincts, and fueled my curiosity about how ideas could turn into living, breathing companies. That curiosity led me to work across startups in New York, Berlin, and Istanbul, where I deepened my skills in business development, product strategy, and community building—shaping a hands-on, global approach to creating scalable products. That foundation found depth at Aposto, where I joined as a founding team and later became COO. Over five years, I helped scale Aposto to 1.5 million subscriptions, 3 million listens, building organizational structures, leading teams across journalist relations, podcasts, and business development —while navigating complex challenges in legal, branding, communications, and strategic partnerships. It was here that I learned how to build not just products but entire ecosystems around them. Today, I’m building Moai, a new platform focused on reimagining well-being, which is set to launch in September 2025. Outside of work, I’m passionate about abstract art, Kundalini yoga, ancient seeds, and sailing. I believe in the power of rituals—whether through meditation, food ceremonies, or simply reconnecting with nature. Ask me about my favorite tea, the indie magazines that spark my curiosity, or why I intentionally leave parts of every city I love unvisited.