President Emeritus of European Business Angels Association

‘’Baybars’ life story proves it can be done.’’

 ‘’Successful entrepreneurs need not only passion, enthusiasm and belief; they also need courage to turn their dreams into reality. Baybars’ life story proves it can be done and should encourage others like him to follow their dreams.’’

‘’His book relates in no small detail each step of his journey.‘’

‘’Baybars Altuntas has had a remarkable personal journey from small businessman to entrepreneur to business angel.  His book relates in no small detail each step of his journey.  It is a fascinating account of one man’s story from rags to riches and how he has helped others achieve their goals as well.’’

CEO of Gust

Author of the New York Times bestsellerAngel Investing:

The Gust Guide to Making Money & Having Fun Investing in Startups

‘’A rollicking, inspirational and highly personal journey through the life of a self-made business executive who has dedicated much of his career to bringing entrepreneurship to the Near and Middle East.’’

‘’Baybars Altuntaş is an entrepreneurial ball of fire who has almost singlehandedly put Turkey on the global map of innovation centers. His book, Off the Bus, Into a Supercar, is a rollicking, inspirational and highly personal journey through the life of a self-made business executive who has dedicated much of his career to bringing entrepreneurship to the Near and Middle East. The lessons he has learned—and that he now teaches through this spirited, optimistic autobiography—are ones that every aspiring entrepreneur should heed!’’

CEO, StartTech Ventures  

‘’An absolute must-read for anyone who wants to discover the Holy Grail of entrepreneurship’’

 ‘’One of the best basketball players of all times, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, once remarked that “neither the tallest nor the strongest players gets the rebound, but the one who wants it most”. While this inspiring quote is certainly true for basketball, it is probably even more relevant for entrepreneurship. It’s all about determination and all the rest will follow. Baybars Altuntas serves as an outstanding example of what strong will and determination can achieve, even in the most challenging situations. His exciting book Off the Bus, Into a Supercar is an absolute must read for anyone who wants to discover the Holy Grail of entrepreneurship, which is the unparalleled happiness of managing to be creative and useful at the same time.’’

Aramex

‘’An interesting entrepreneurial story full of anecdotes and lessons with lots of passion.’’

 ‘’Entrepreneurship is at the core of addressing the future challenges of societies, whether advanced or in the process of developing. It is a process that should be embraced and nurtured by every society. Altuntas tells us an interesting entrepreneurial story full of anecdotes and lessons with lots of passion. It is enjoyable and easy to read. Check it out.’’

Co-President, World Entrepreneurship Forum

Author of The Art and Science of Entrepreneurship

‘’I encourage all who want to embark on the entrepreneurial road to read the book and to learn from Baybars’ experience.’’

‘’Entrepreneurs face challenges no matter in which part of the world they start their companies. Every successful entrepreneur will tell you that the first step of the journey is transforming the mindset so that one that believes all problems can be solved. In this book, Baybars shares his journey and tells how he succeeded as an entrepreneur and I encourage all who want to embark on the entrepreneurial road to read the book and to learn from Baybars’ experience.’’

Co-author of Every Business Needs an Angel

‘’Aspiring young  entrepreneurs, you will enjoy this book!’’

‘’Off the Bus, Into a Supercar is more than a personal success story of one entrepreneur’s  accomplishment of  driving himself along life’s highway. It is a roadmap for others to follow as they too try to escape bureaucracy and big company environment and create his or her own  enterprise from their own vision. I have watched Baybars grow and blossom over the last decade and look forward to many great things from his energy and passion, Aspiring young  entrepreneurs, you will enjoy this book!’’

The Coca-Cola Company

’In his book Altuntas tells the story of a dynamic and energetic entrepreneur. In his exciting journey, he masterfully takes you through pitfalls and challenges, as well as opportunities and intelligent risk-taking, all of which cumulate into important learning events.’’

‘’In his book Altuntas tells the story of a dynamic and energetic entrepreneur. In his exciting journey, he masterfully takes you through pitfalls and challenges, as well as opportunities and intelligent risk-taking, all of which cumulate into important learning events. As you progress through the book, you feel the passion, courage and dedication from cover to cover.’’

‘’This book is a must for all those who dream and have the will to succeed!’’

‘’Many people tell me they have a dream of creating a company, but they do not have resources, they do not have time, they do not have a good idea, they do not…they do not…   Baybars shows in this book that any person with the right mindset can create a successful business even if they lack resources. What they need is the most powerful tool—the will to succeed. This book is a must for all those who dream and have the will to succeed!’’

Turkish Airlines

‘’Baybars is just this sort of person. In the pages of this book, you will read the fascinating story of his road to success. He is truly an inspiration for everyone.’’ ‘

’Success can be defined in many ways. No matter how you conceptualize and define it, success derives from a capacity to make the most of opportunities that present themselves and the ability to use these in a way that benefits humanity. Even a single individual can produce important things for humanity. He may write a story that will be appreciated by the future generations, for example.  If a person with a story can look forward to the future, he can pair his optimism with entrepreneurship. This sort of person is always ready for something new and can therefore be productive. People who never lose hope will enjoy life more than those who do. The will to grasp onto life without losing hope brings love, and this love brings success. Baybars is just this sort of person. In the pages of this book, you will read the fascinating story of his road to success. He is truly an inspiration for everyone.’’

Vice President, Emlyon Business School

‘’This book is one of the world’s top 5 titles on entrepreneurship and startups.’’

‘’I picked up the original Turkish version of Off the Bus, Into a Supercar from the bestseller shelf in the bookstore at the Istanbul airport while waiting for a flight to Lyon. Arriving in Lyon 4 hours later, I had finished the book, all in a single sitting. Baybars Altuntas shares the secrets of becoming a successful entrepreneur in this light-hearted account of his own journey. He lays out a practical roadmap that can easily be followed by anyone, no matter who or where they are. His concept of “rising steps” is brilliant: wannapreneurship, innovation, entrepreneurship, marketing and sales, branding, institutionalization, franchising, leadership and angel investment. He takes you by the hand, describing in clear detail each step of the way. As you progress, you also learn about various ways to access financing, from bootstrapping, to angel investors, to VCs and banks. Baybars sagely advises us, however, that networking is far more important than finance. He provides real examples from his own life story and you come to the realization that, if you can manage to actualize the Altuntas principle of converting idle capacity into cash, then you’ve made it, You will have become a successful entrepreneur without any financing at all! As the Executive Chairman of the World Entrepreneurship Forum, I follow closely the latest publications on entrepreneurship. I rank this book as one of the world’s top 5 titles on entrepreneurship and start-ups.  Not only is it informative, it’s a delightful read as well. Highly recommended for young entrepreneurs wanting to set up their own businesses and for others aiming to grow theirs.’’

‘’A book I will add to the reading list that all our founders need to study.’’

‘’What a read! At Oasis 500 our focus is on investing in ideas, working with founders, and supporting start-ups. Baybars is an inspiration for all, and his is a book I will add to the reading list that all our founders need to study. Baybars is a story close to home, easy to relate to and therefore inspiring for entrepreneurs across MENA. We need more Baybars.’’