Tiger Tari, an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and race car driver, earned his Bachelor
of Science in International Business and Marketing from Jacksonville 
University in 2000.
Originally from Istanbul, he started his entrepreneurial journey with his brother by opening two restaurants, later selling them to co-found a software technology business. This business evolved into a venture capital firm, focusing on the niche software market in insurance services.
Tari credits his time as a JU student-athlete for shaping his work ethic. “Being a student-athlete prepares you for long, physically demanding days and teaches mental discipline. You realize you can’t quit because the entire team relies on you,” he said.
Today, Tari Ventures is a leading private equity firm, investing in tech companies across the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Turkey. Tari also brought Papa John’s to Turkey, where his franchise now operates 68 restaurants.
In addition to his business ventures, Tari is a competitive race car driver. He recently won a class at the 24-Hour Race in Dubai and now focuses on upcoming events like the Le Mans Porsche Cup and International Motor Sports Association races. His passion for racing started in his youth when his uncle, living in Germany, introduced him to the world of motorsports. “It wasn’t until I turned 40 that I finally had the time to pursue my dreams,” Tari shared.
As the founder of Star Spangled Racing, Tari competes in the International Motor Sports Association series, driving a BMW GT4 car in the Michelin Pilot Challenge and VP Challenge. With over 30 podium finishes, his ultimate goal is to race in prestigious events like the Rolex 24 at Daytona and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Tari also believes in giving back to the next generation of entrepreneurs. He recently visited JU to speak with students in Dr. Selen Savas-Hall’s Global Business class. “I never had a mentor, so I learned through trial and error,” he explained. “Now, I want to pass on knowledge through mentoring.”
He advises students to focus on attitude and continuous learning, emphasizing that success comes from a willingness to grow, not just from earning a degree.
Tari takes full responsibility for both his successes and failures, stressing the importance of accountability. His most rewarding accomplishment, he says, is character development. “I’m always striving to be the best version of myself. It’s a lifelong pursuit of perfection.”
