Ekrem Korkmaz was born in 1983 in Trabzon. Following his education, he began his professional career and served as a public officer within the security bureaucracy between 2007 and 2019. After leaving public service, he transitioned into the business world, taking on senior executive and partnership roles in companies operating in defense industry, energy, international investment, fund management, and multinational trade.
An internationally active businessman, Ekrem Korkmaz conducts projects across Turkey, Europe, the United States, the Middle East, and Africa in the fields of defense technologies, ammunition production, energy investments, and strategic business development. He plays an active role in the establishment of defense and security platforms integrated with U.S.-based companies, the management of ammunition production processes under federal permits, the export of defense products to Turkey and allied countries, logistics chain integration, and operational support projects.
Having previously served on the boards of several major companies, Ekrem Korkmaz held the position of Chairman of the Board at Pera Real Estate Investment Trust Inc. from July 29, 2022 to December 30, 2024, and continued as a Board Member between January 1, 2025 and July 7, 2025. He also served as a Board Member at Kuyaş Investment Inc. between August 5, 2021 and March 17, 2022.
As of July 31, 2025, Ekrem Korkmaz has been serving as Chairman of the Board at Papilon Defense Technologies and Trade Inc.. In this role, he is responsible for international sales, strategic management, fund management, supply chain coordination, and the development of U.S.–Turkey defense collaborations within the defense and aerospace sectors. He is also actively involved in renewable energy projects, particularly solar and wind energy investments.
Ekrem Korkmaz is among the founding partners of the U.S.-based Kudaro Power LLC, contributing to the financial and operational processes of a structure that conducts public offerings and platform development activities in the cryptocurrency markets.
In addition, Ekrem Korkmaz is a partner and international relations coordinator at TADA (Turkish African Business Development Agency), which operates in the field of Turkey–Africa business development. For over eight years, he has played an active role in energy, defense industry, infrastructure, and agro-industrial projects across Africa, leading collaborations between public and private sectors. Among the projects developed by TADA, the Usainhi Nairobi–Mombasa highway project—spanning 459 kilometers with a budget of USD 3.6 billion, implemented in cooperation with the Kenya National Highways Authority and Everstrong Capital—holds a significant place.
Today, Ekrem Korkmaz continues his activities as a businessman who leads multinational operations and develops strategic projects in the fields of defense industry, security, energy, and investment both in Turkey and internationally.