It started in a restaurant. It became a movement.
Seeing good food go in the bin at closing time, we thought: "This shouldn't be happening." A year later, the app was live. This is what came next.
One restaurant, one trash bag, one question.
It was late 2024. We were sitting in a restaurant in Istanbul. Near closing time, a waiter carried a few plates back to the kitchen; a little later, we noticed they ended up in the bin. Meanwhile, at the very next table, people were trying to split the check.
In that moment, a thought struck us: these two things shouldn't exist side by side. Why is there so much distance between food that can't be sold and the person who wants to eat it?
We knew what Too Good To Go was doing in Europe. But Türkiye is a different market — a different pace, different habits. It needed to be designed from scratch, for this country.
Six months later, the first version shipped. We ran a pilot with ten businesses. Now we've passed 120 — and we're only just getting started.
Every unsold item isn't just an economic loss. Water, energy, labor — all of it goes to waste. We're here to break that cycle.
Why hasn't a problem this big already been solved?
Food waste can feel like an abstract concept. But the bakery that opens at 7:00 every morning throws out the bread it couldn't sell when it closes at 21:00 that evening. This happens at every bakery, every day.
The problem isn't a lack of awareness — it's a lack of infrastructure. There was no tool for businesses to announce their last-minute discounts and for customers to track and reserve them in real time.
Vakti Geçmeden is trying to be that tool. Simple, fast, and sensible for both sides.
What we're made of
Test first, talk later
We test every feature with real businesses first. We're not afraid to cut whatever doesn't work in the field.
Do one thing well
The app does a single thing: reserving surprise bags. We're focused on doing that one thing exceptionally well.
Nothing works without businesses
Our partner businesses are the heart of this system. Making their work easier is always our top priority.
Honest communication
We're in beta, and not everything is perfect — we say so openly. We don't make up figures or promises.
Think long term
Despite the pressure to grow fast, we want to build something that lasts. Being trustworthy comes before everything else.
A solution built for here
Türkiye's food culture is one of a kind. We're building a model that grows here, not one copied from the West.
Who we are
We're a small but focused team in Istanbul.
Founder & CEO
Designs the product, manages business relationships, and drives growth. Chose the entrepreneurial path to take food waste seriously.
Founder & CTO
Wrote the entire app. Built and runs every technical detail personally, from the Google Maps integration to the QR system.
We're growing. If you'd like to work at the intersection of food waste and technology: kariyer@vaktigecmeden.com
How we got here
The idea and research
We spoke with dozens of restaurants, cafés and bakeries across Istanbul. They all shared the same struggle: products left over at closing time. Market research and model validation began.
The first release
An Android app, a Firebase backend, and Google Maps integration. The core flow: discover → reserve → pick up with a QR code. First tests with five businesses.
The first 50 businesses
We grew, starting from Şişli, Beşiktaş and Nişantaşı. Badges and an eco-impact counter were added. User feedback shaped the product.
Open beta launch
We went live on Google Play. 120+ businesses, active across Istanbul. New onboarding every day, new feedback every day.
The rest of Türkiye
Expanding, starting with Ankara and Izmir, an App Store launch, more business types and an enhanced map experience.
Be part of this story.
As a user, a business or an investor — get involved one way or another.