The people you meet are the people who do the work.
Kayra Partners is two Managing Directors with four decades of operating experience between them, supported by a partner ecosystem for everything that is better done by a specialist. There is no account layer, and no junior team learning your business on your budget.
combined
in the US
delivered
project value
Four decisions that shape every engagement
These are constraints, not selling points. Each one closes off work we could otherwise take.
We take the seat
Both partners have run operations rather than advised them. That is the difference between a recommendation and an outcome someone is accountable for.
One accountable team
Strategy, execution, compliance and market engagement sit under a single team instead of four firms you have to coordinate between.
Three sectors only
Technology, life sciences and biotech, AI and digital. We decline work where neither of us has held the operating seat.
Physically in Boston
A US operation cannot be run from another timezone. Our presence here is what makes hands-on representation possible rather than theoretical.
Two partners, both in the work
Aytug Pala
Managing Director
An operations executive whose career has been built alongside C-suite leaders and company owners across the U.S., Qatar, Azerbaijan and Turkey. Now based in the United States, he brings an international perspective shaped by years of leading projects and ventures across multiple regions.
His career spans public and private tenders, project finance and execution, and startups, delivering strategic solutions in hospitality, construction and real estate. He previously served as General Manager of Blueground in Turkey, where he led operations and growth for over five years.
Before co-founding Kayra Partners he was Director of Business Development at Peninsula Corporate Finance, advising on infrastructure and real estate project finance across emerging markets. He brings the financial and operational insight behind the firm's work in connecting markets and scaling innovation.
- Depth
- International expansion, project execution, cross-border investment
- Previously
- General Manager, Blueground Turkey. Director of Business Development, Peninsula Corporate Finance
Dr. Mert Şahin
Managing Director
An executive and scientist with an extensive global track record in healthcare, medical devices and life sciences. Based in the United States for over a decade, he brings a perspective shaped by leadership roles across the EU, the U.S. and emerging markets, guiding breakthrough innovations across sectors.
He has driven strategic growth and commercialization for established corporations and startups alike throughout his career. Before co-founding Kayra Partners he held several C-suite roles at companies ranging from GE Healthcare to Durin Life Sciences.
His global experience covers research, product launch, multinational team leadership and strategic marketing in complex healthcare environments. He provides the scientific vision and operational expertise behind the firm's life sciences work.
- Depth
- Healthcare and life sciences commercialization, regulated product launch, business strategy
- Previously
- C-suite roles from GE Healthcare to Durin Life Sciences
Who we are useful to
A two-partner firm cannot be right for everyone, and pretending otherwise wastes the first call.
A good match
- You are entering the US and want one team accountable for the whole thing
- You are already here and need sector-deep leadership without a full-time hire
- You work in technology, life sciences and biotech, or AI and digital
- You want the partners in the room rather than a delivery team
- You would rather hear no than be sold a scope
Probably not a match
- You need a large delivery team across many workstreams at once
- Your sector sits outside the three above
- You want a written recommendation with no execution attached
- You need a brand name on the cover for internal reasons
- The mandate would leave no real decision authority with us
We started collaborating with Kayra Partners recently and they were quickly able to help us understand our clients' needs and challenges.
Robert Dann
Managing Partner, Life Sciences Strategies
We see in Kayra Partners a like-minded team: strategic, globally minded, and execution-driven. We look forward to exploring new opportunities together.
Bertan Yordem
Managing Director, PCF
Find out quickly whether we are the right team
Tell us the market you are trying to reach or the seat you need filled. We will tell you honestly whether this is work we should take.