Nexus International, the private holding company behind platforms such as the gaming brand Megaposta, is aiming for $1.45 billion in revenue by the end of 2025. After reporting $400 million in revenue for 2024, the company is continuing to grow, without relying on outside investment.
Founder and CEO Gurhan Kiziloz confirmed in a recent interview that Nexus has been entirely self-funded to date. “I’m too proud to borrow money,” he said. “If I can build it myself, I will. I don’t want anyone else’s fingerprints on this.” This position has shaped the company’s financial and operational structure, including how it manages growth and makes decisions.
Kiziloz pointed to speed as a key advantage of remaining independent. “We move fast. Really fast. No approvals, no politics, no waiting. If something makes sense, we go.” Nexus has been expanding its reach, particularly in Brazil, while keeping decision-making internal and centralized.
The absence of external investors also affects how the company manages oversight. “No one talks [negatively] in my ear,” he said, describing the benefits of avoiding board-level or venture capital influence. Kiziloz added that decisions are often made quickly and with minimal process. “Give me an idea. I like it. Go get it done,” he said. “That’s the workflow.”
He acknowledged that the company’s pace may not be suitable for everyone. “Not everyone is designed to take a ride in a rocketship,” he said.
Kiziloz was also asked whether Nexus would be in the same position had it accepted external funding. “Absolutely not. I’d be wasting time listening to people who don’t get it,” he said. When it comes to startup founders who prioritize raising capital, his view was critical: “They ask. They shouldn’t. Asking puts you on the back foot.”
He described the trade-off of self-funding as one of scale versus speed. “You’ve proven scale without capital. What’s the tradeoff? Speed,” he said, implying that organic growth may take longer but allows for greater control.
Kiziloz also discussed the pressure that comes with carrying full responsibility for the business. “If it fails, I start again. It’s that simple.” The comment reflects an approach that prioritizes action over extensive planning or external validation.
He cited a personal turning point that shaped his current mindset: the passing of his father. “I became more of a motivated monster,” he said. The statement was not elaborated upon further, but in the context of the interview, it appeared to relate to his intensified work ethic and direct leadership style.
When addressing how he deals with mistakes, Kiziloz said, “I get it wrong all the time. But those few right moments are so big, they wipe out all the wrongs.” He compared his mentality to a quote from Babe Ruth: “They once asked Babe Ruth what he thought about when he struck out. He said, ‘I just think about home runs.’ Same here. I only think about hitting home runs.”
Kiziloz was also asked what freedom means to him as a founder. “I don’t think about it. It sounds stupid to me. I haven’t got time for emotions. I’m at war,” he said. While brief, the response was consistent with other comments in the interview that emphasized output over reflection.
Whether Nexus International will reach its $1.45 billion revenue target remains uncertain. But its current model, privately held, self-financed, and led by a founder with a strong preference for autonomy, continues to guide its expansion plans. The company’s decision not to raise capital is not presented as a marketing message, but as a structural choice with direct implications for how it operates.
