Meet Gökçe Gizer Clover, the Founder of BEYOND42, an organization that supports founders of rapid-growth tech companies in developing resilience and building lasting organizations.
Born in Turkey to a successful entrepreneurial family, Gökçe was given the chance to assert her independence from a young age and encouraged to be fearless. Despite not pursuing a career in retail herself, Gökçe’s spirit for stepping into the unknown by immigrating to New York and spearheading numerous ventures and tech competitions harkens back to the growth mindset instilled in her. After noticing the recurring patterns that founders face as they start and scale their businesses, Gökçe founded Beyond42 to give entrepreneurs the pertinent skills and mindset shifts needed to prevent common roadblocks. Today, Gökçe and her company remain committed to helping entrepreneurs find their resilience and sustain success.
We had the opportunity to interview Gökçe about her company’s founding, her past experiences, and her proudest accomplishments thus far.
Tell us the story behind your company’s founding. How and why did you start working on Beyond42?
I’m a serial entrepreneur. I've been involved in designing programs and building communities within the tech ecosystem for over a decade. Through supporting hundreds of founders from ideation through fundraising to scaling, I've observed patterns. Unfortunately, 65% of startups can’t make it past the Series A stage. Despite their brilliance in product development, founders often struggle leading and growing their business beyond the initial products, which requires different skills and a different mindset.
At Beyond42, we define these skills and mindset shifts as leadership resilience. We’ve built a comprehensive framework tailored for tech founders, encompassing four core pillars: self, attention, people, and outlook. We believe that with the right resources, a support system of experts, coaches, and a community of peers, founders can develop the leadership resilience needed to lead rapidly growing teams, build lasting companies, and thrive. At Beyond42, we’re creating programs, sharing resources, and shining a light on inspiring stories to support founders. We work directly with tech founders and run programs for portfolio companies of VCs and corporate entrepreneurship initiatives.
In what ways has your upbringing or past experiences contributed to how you operate as an entrepreneur?
I grew up in Adana, Turkey in a big, entrepreneurial family. I was deeply inspired by my father and grandfather. They built a retail business, initially selling fabric by cycling to the next town and eventually expanding to more than 20 department stores across Turkey in 1976. Their stories of overcoming obstacles and expanding beyond their immediate circumstances taught me to view setbacks not as barriers but as opportunities to learn, grow, and pave the way for others. Although I’m not in retail, I’d like to believe I represent them by always pushing boundaries and expanding my world, embodying their spirit in my own journey.
My dad was very intentional about raising me and my older brother as equals—both independent and fearless. I remember how my mom would get scared whenever he took me on semi-dangerous cycling and cave diving adventures and taught me to drive at age 11. Before I even turned 10, he'd bring me to work during the summer. I ran up and down the store, carrying customers' purchases from the kids’ department to the cash register. I always believed I could do anything.
In a way, my blissful ignorance made me courageous, leading me to make bold decisions such as leaving the only home I knew, disappointing my parents at first by not staying in the family business, and getting married. When I moved to New York at 26, I was unaware of how out of place I was, not getting the local dynamics, the significance of schools, or the preconceptions about me as a Turkish immigrant. Yet, thanks to the way I was raised, I never saw any limits for myself. I kept eagerly engaging with people at events and workshops, offering and seeking help, and absorbing all the information and knowledge I could. Then, I started getting seemingly small opportunities like an internship at Entrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator, which changed my life and introduced me to the startup world.
What’s been the hardest and most rewarding part of your entrepreneurial journey?
For a long time, I put in so much effort to explain myself, trying to be understood by others, especially when going against the grain as an entrepreneur. I was perhaps looking for permission and validation from people who also had no idea what was right for me.
Eventually, I realized it didn’t matter what was ahead. All that was in my control was how I showed up each day. I became intentional about practicing introspection, being completely honest with myself, clarifying my purpose, connecting with my voice, and paying attention to my body, which is filled with wisdom. I felt so much more at ease with myself, trusted the process, and showed up in a peaceful way on this journey despite all the uncertainty and setbacks.
What’s the biggest misconception that others have around entrepreneurship?
That it has to be a lonely and arduous journey filled with self-doubt. This is directly linked to the problem we’re trying to solve. That perception is not only hurting founders but also negatively impacting their performance as leaders.
Surround yourself with the right people, and you’ll realize they are actually cheering you on, believe in you, and are eager to help find the answers with you. I remind myself this is a journey where I get to wake up every morning and work on something I care about with people I love working with. If I have fun doing it, it will actually lead to better business performance.
Have you struggled with self-doubt as an entrepreneur?
As an entrepreneur, I struggle with self-doubt until I find my inner voice. Otherwise, I seek external validation for my actions, which usually leads me off course. During these times, I talk to people who know me well, believe in me, and care about me without any personal stake in my success or failure. These resonant relationships with my partner, friends, mentors, and peers provide a safe and honest space grounded in mutual love and trust, helping to ground and uplift me.
Sometimes, I feel like giving up, especially when things get overwhelming. In those moments, I remind myself of the people who need our work and can find hope, encouragement, and enlightenment through it. It's beyond just me, and that realization usually gives me the energy to get back up.
Beyond acquiring knowledge for its own sake, curiosity enhances understanding of others and deepens connections with them, nurturing a strong, cohesive team dynamic. It fosters a growth mindset and helps us find our way back when we are lost or knocked down.
We dare you to brag. What achievements are you most proud of?
Over the past 15 years, I'm proud to have laid the foundations of several ventures, identifying hidden potential, creating opportunities, and setting hundreds of founders up on their trajectories. I designed and led the first five Extreme Tech Challenge competitions alongside Bill Tai, identifying dozens of amazing startups and marking milestones in their journeys to building great companies.
As a co-founder of the EdenBase fund in London, I led the first competition, resulting in our initial investments. As a co-founder of TransformBase, I designed and oversaw our first event in November 2023. It attracted over 300 high-profile individuals to collectively shape frontier technologies for prosperity and purpose.
Has your definition of success evolved throughout your journey as a founder?
In my 20s in New York, I viewed success as achieving perfection and being the best in everything I did—a mindset that limited me and overshadowed my efforts. Over time, my perspective has shifted to value the importance of showing up consistently, ready to put in the effort and do my best, focusing on striving for excellence, and continuous improvement. This reflects my commitment and enthusiasm, showing I've found a purpose and vision that brings joy to me and value to others. I celebrate progress and effort, knowing and hoping my work's impact might extend beyond my lifetime or recognition.
What have you learned about building a team and a support network around yourself?
Work and surround yourself with people you love, who believe in you, and who recognize your best qualities, even when you don't see them yourself. Remember, we are all whole, creative, and resourceful individuals who are capable of contributing significantly when we are true to ourselves. There’s immense power, honesty, and beauty in embracing our full, authentic selves. Despite the discomfort it may bring, it's essential for fostering resonant relationships.
As a leader, being my authentic, occasionally goofy, self encourages and models the behavior for my team to also be fully themselves. The impact of a leader extends far beyond the outcomes of their work; it lies in the influence they have on every individual they interact with daily.
Have you discovered any underappreciated leadership traits or misconceptions around leadership?
The most underappreciated and profound leadership trait is curiosity. A leader's curiosity about others, the world, themselves, and their experiences fosters an openness to learn, grow, and the expansion of one's world and vision. Curious leaders become better listeners, ask thoughtful questions to uncover deeper insights and new possibilities, and challenge their own assumptions. They cultivate a creative and innovative environment by being open to ideas from diverse sources, making unlikely connections, and encouraging their team to explore and experiment.
Beyond acquiring knowledge for its own sake, curiosity enhances understanding of others and deepens connections with them, nurturing a strong, cohesive team dynamic. It fosters a growth mindset and helps us find our way back when we are lost or knocked down.
What would you tell your younger self if you were to start your entrepreneurial journey all over again?
Take more shots. Bet on yourself sooner and more often. Surround yourself with people who lift you up and pull you forward. Clarify your values and purpose and share what you need on your journey. You’ll be surprised how many people are willing to help, guide, and even go out of their way to support you once you’re clear about your path and articulate it.
Define success on your own terms; it’s about honoring your values. There will be times when you will be tested on your boundaries versus your values. Pay attention to these moments, listen to your gut, and uphold your truth—even if it means walking away. Looking back, I see I hesitated, held myself back, and wasted too much time and energy trying to justify my place, even after earning it.
Money is not the goal, but it is how the world works—the most recognized way for others to demonstrate how much they appreciate and value your work and your contributions. Be proud of discerning the value of what you create and make sure you are compensated for it.
You owe it to those who paved the way for you and to those who are following in your path to endure difficult times and uncomfortable situations. It’s especially crucial to show up with kindness and integrity during these times. Speak your truth, stand up for those who can’t, and lift others up with you.
My journey feels like Alice in Wonderland, and I’d absolutely do it all over again; I couldn’t have even dreamed of this life I get to create and enjoy.
What’s next for you and BEYOND42?
Next for me is moving into my new home with my husband. I'm also working on my first book and just launched our podcast series to shift the narrative of “success” in the tech ecosystem.
As for Beyond42, we've just launched and are hosting resilience booster programs for founders. These programs are designed to help them develop the skills and mindset necessary to lead their rapidly growing teams and build lasting, impactful companies, all while sharing the journey with a community of trusted peers.
