# Lawrence Merritt

> Lawrence Merritt is the Istanbul-based co-founder and CEO of VavaCars, a used-car buying and selling business launched in Turkey in 2019. His earlier roles include co-founder and CEO of Tagsmart and startup business development leadership at Amazon Web Services in EMEA. His public record includes VavaCars’ Turkish growth, its 2022 Pakistan closure and recurring reflections on customers and colleagues.

- **Role:** Co-Founder & CEO at VavaCars
- **Organizations:** VavaCars, Tagsmart, Amazon Web Services
- **Known for:** Co-founded and led VavaCars through its Turkish launch and expansion., VavaCars reported 30,000 vehicle sales in 2022., VavaCars secured an announced $50 million Series B in 2021 and $37 million Series C in 2022.

## Career timeline

- **Before 2018** — Held startup business development leadership for EMEA at Amazon Web Services and was co-founder and CEO of Tagsmart; precise role dates unverified.
- **2016** — Appeared with the Tagsmart team at the launch of its CERTIFY art authentication platform.
- **2018** — Joined VavaCars, according to The Official Board executive biography.
- **2019** — VavaCars launched trading operations in Turkey.
- **2020** — VavaCars entered Pakistan in January.
- **2021** — VavaCars announced a $50 million Series B in October and an online direct-to-consumer offer.
- **2022** — Announced the Pakistan closure in June; VavaCars raised a $37 million Series C in September and reported roughly 30,000 Turkish vehicle sales for the year.

## Achievements

- Co-founded and led VavaCars through its Turkish launch and expansion.
- VavaCars reported 30,000 vehicle sales in 2022.
- VavaCars secured an announced $50 million Series B in 2021 and $37 million Series C in 2022.

## Latest updates

- **2026-07** — The Official Board roster updated July 19 continued to list Merritt as VavaCars CEO.
- **2023-10** — Publicly reflected on his enjoyment of the monthly VavaCars all-hands meeting.

## Links

- Website: https://vava.cars
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawmerr
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/lawmerr

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/lawrence-merritt
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-07