Building a Model for Mega-projects

Columbia Engineering welcomed Erman Ilicak, the founder and president emeritus of global engineering and investment firm Rönesans Holding, for the latest installment of the School’s Tech CEO Lecture Series on Oct. 21. In a fast-paced presentation, Ilicak shared the story of his journey from engineering student to leading a $5 billion enterprise that operates in more than 30 countries.

“I’ll do my best to cover 40 years in 40 minutes,” he began, tracing his path from student to young entrepreneur and to leading a firm specializing in mega-scale infrastructure projects.

At age 26, frustrated by the slow pace of large corporate hierarchies, Ilicak decided to “do [his] own thing,” recruiting a team of young engineers to fill gaps left by industry giants. The firm would go on to deliver Europe’s tallest tower, its largest hospital, and the world’s longest tunnel. To date, his company has completed more than 5,000 contracts worth $60 billion worldwide.

Ilicak described the company’s evolution into what he calls the “Renaissance Way,” a model that reinvests capital, emphasizes innovation and collaboration, and manages risk through self-sufficiency. Informed by his time as a business leader and while pursuing an MBA and PhD, Ilicak’s approach enabled his company to finance ambitious projects that might not have been possible otherwise. 

“We introduced a new growth model for delivering multibillion-dollar projects,” he said.

His talk closed with advice for students: choose your industry carefully, learn business finance, and build strong teams. 

“It’s here — at places like Columbia Engineering — where you have the best opportunities to find teammates you trust,” he said. “That is the most important thing.”

Caption: Erman Ilicak delivers a Tech CEO lecture in Davis Auditorium

Credit: David Dini/Columbia Engineering