Start to explore Istanbul’s thriving startup ecosystem

Take Off Istanbul 2025, the region's leading technology and entrepreneurship summit, wrapped up successfully on December 10-11 at the Istanbul Expo Center (IFM), uniting over 500 startups from 40 countries, more than 260 investors, 85 partners, and 12 sponsors in a vibrant showcase of innovation.​

Key Highlights and Sessions

Organized by the Turkish Technology Team (T3) Foundation in partnership with the Ministry of Industry and Technology and the Presidency's Investment Office, the 8th edition featured keynote speeches, investor-startup matchmaking, panel discussions, workshops, and pitches focused on generative AI, deep tech, fintech, sustainability, mobility, gaming, and space technologies. Highlights included a new Executive Lounge for B2B networking, international pavilions from Spain, Bangladesh, North Macedonia, and Uzbekistan, and special programs like "Founder Day" and "Investor Prelude," building on prior years' 557 meetings and $1.8 million in investments since 2018.​

Investment and Ecosystem Momentum

Industry and Technology Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacır highlighted Türkiye's startup surge, with $5.3 billion in funding from 2020-2024—12 times previous levels—fueled by tax incentives like zero corporate tax in technoparks, no capital-gains tax on exits, and the Istanbul Financial Center's fintech hub. The event positioned Istanbul as a global deep-tech nexus, fostering cross-border deals and media exposure for growth-stage and early-stage ventures.​

Looking Ahead

Post-event buzz on LinkedIn and media channels celebrated the transformation of the venue into an ambition hub, with participants eager for ongoing collaborations. Take Off Istanbul reaffirms Türkiye's role in bridging Eastern and Western innovation ecosystems. For more details, visit takeoffistanbul.com ​

Terminal Istanbul, aiming at transforming the former Atatürk Airport terminals into a Technology and Entrepreneurship Center, is Türkiye's boldest initiative to position the city as a global innovation powerhouse, hosting 2,000 startups across 138,600 square meters of cutting-edge facilities.​

Vision and Infrastructure

Led by the Ministry of Industry and Technology alongside partners like Bilişim Vadisi Tecnopark, the project redevelops the historic site into a comprehensive ecosystem featuring modern offices, incubators, accelerators, co-working spaces, R&D labs and event venues for tens of annual gatherings. Designed at the intersection of technology, culture, and future growth, it offers startups end-to-end support from proof-of-concept aid and AI integration to global networking and living accommodations.​

Strategic Goals and Impact

Terminal Istanbul aims to catapult Istanbul into the global top 30 entrepreneurship hubs by 2030, fostering 100 Turcorns (Turkish unicorns) and 100,000 tech startups while bridging European, Asian, and Middle Eastern markets through Istanbul's strategic location. Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacır emphasized 34 accelerator programs across verticals like deep tech and digital transformation, complemented by investor matchmaking and mentorship to drive international expansion. Industry leaders highlight its role in elevating Türkiye's tech rankings via tax incentives and seamless global ties.​

Momentum and Next Steps

Recent workshops and announcements signal rapid progress toward a 2025 opening, with the center poised to host innovators 24/7 in a vibrant hub blending co-working, cultural spaces, and venture capital opportunities. For updates and involvement, visit terminal.istanbul

Türkiye's Tech Visa Program, launched by the Ministry of Industry and Technology in September 2024, continues to draw international tech entrepreneurs and specialists, targeting 50 beneficiaries in 2025, scaling to 75 in 2026, 100 in 2027 and 125 in 2028 to bolster the nation's innovation ecosystem.​

Program Benefits and Eligibility

Eligible applicants include foreign tech experts and startups with cutting-edge models in areas like AI, deep tech, and digital transformation, offering a streamlined 3-year work permit, simplified family residence processes, tax exemptions in technoparks, healthcare coverage, office spaces in incubation centers, venture capital access, mentorship, and dedicated integration support. Applications begin with a work visa at Turkish embassies, followed by a permit from the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, prioritizing innovative ventures aligned with Türkiye's high-tech ambitions.​

Recent Momentum and Global Promotion

At Slush 2025 in November, the program gained spotlight through Turcorn 100 presentations, highlighting expedited permits, technopark access, and tax incentives to attract global talent and foster collaborations. Officials emphasize its role in positioning Türkiye as a tech hub, complementing R&D growth to 4,000 personnel by 2028 and supporting 100 Turcorns amid surging startup funding.​

Future Outlook

With updated financial criteria effective January 2025, the initiative aligns with national strategies like National Technology Initiative, aiming for 425 participants by 2028 to drive competitiveness in critical technologies. For applications and details, visit turkiyetechvisa.gov.tr.

As part of the Global Entrepreneurship Events Participation Call, 34 Turkish technology startups represented the nation’s innovation frontier at CES 2026, the world’s premier consumer electronics exhibition held in Las Vegas from January 6–9, 2026

Under the strategic coordination of the Ministry of Industry and Technology, and in collaboration with the Istanbul Development Agency (ISTKA), Izmir Development Agency (IZKA), Ankara Development Agency (ANKARAKA), Bursa Eskişehir Bilecik Development Agency (BEBKA), and West Mediterranean Development Agency (BAKA), the CES 2026 Türkiye Turcorn Pavilion was established to showcase Türkiye’s robust technology and entrepreneurship ecosystem on a global scale. This delegation—comprising development agencies, visionary entrepreneurs, and key ecosystem stakeholders—ensured a cohesive and high-impact presence throughout the event.

Technology Solutions Shaping the Future

With companies from more than 150 countries participating in the exhibition, the 34 startups featured in the Türkiye Turcorn Pavilion attracted significant attention with their advanced technology-driven products and solutions.

A broad range of innovations were showcased, spanning from artificial intelligence and SaaS solutions to industrial IoT, cybersecurity applications and digital health technologies.

Turkish startups introduced digital and green transformation-oriented solutions to the global technology ecosystem, including:

• End-to-end IoT security and autonomous quality control systems enhancing manufacturing efficiency,
• AI-powered diagnostic technologies, wearable health solutions and neurotechnology applications,
• Advanced materials developed for carbon capture,
• Biotechnological innovations transforming waste and carbon into value,
• AI-driven waste management systems,
• Electric micro-mobility and smart city technologies.

This diversity demonstrated that Türkiye holds a strong vision not only in digital technologies but also in sustainability and climate technologies.

Global Collaboration and Investment Opportunities

Throughout CES 2026, Turkish entrepreneurs had the opportunity to:

• Increase their visibility in global markets,
• Conduct one-on-one meetings with international customers,
• Engage with industry leaders,
• Meet investors and explore strategic partnership opportunities.

 The CES 2026 Türkiye Turcorn Pavilion highlighted the growing global presence and competitiveness of Türkiye’s technology and entrepreneurship ecosystem, further strengthening its role in supporting startups on their international growth journey.

The Istanbul Development Agency (ISTKA) has published the "Startups and Regulation: the Türkiye Perspective" report, a comprehensive analysis of regulatory challenges facing Türkiye's startup ecosystem and actionable solutions to unlock its innovation potential.​

Key Challenges Identified

The report, based on academic reviews, stakeholder interviews, and wide-ranging surveys, highlights barriers in startup formation, operations, funding, taxation, incentives, licensing, IP rights, and labor laws, including burdensome compliance, slow adaptation to new tech models, legal ambiguities, bureaucratic overloads, complex tax rules on stock options, missing modern financing tools like SAFE agreements, forex controls, rigid Turkish Commercial Code provisions, inter-agency coordination gaps, compliance burdens Law on the Protection of Personal Data (LPPD) and hurdles in flexible hiring or foreign talent attraction.​

Proposed Solutions

Recommendations advocate startup-specific incentives, reduced bureaucracy, regulatory sandboxes for safe innovation testing, risk-based and scaled regulations, and stakeholder collaboration for stable frameworks, drawing from global best practices such as dedicated "Startup Legislation," expanded sandboxes, enhanced Startup Visas and electronic permits, RegTech/SupTech adoption, and digitized public processes to eliminate wet signatures.​

Strategic Roadmap

83% of entrepreneurs call for broad reforms, with investors favoring targeted fixes to boost agility and talent access, positioning Türkiye's young, tech-savvy population for global competitiveness through flexible, predictable rules. Access the full report in Turkish via istka.org.tr

The Ministry of Industry and Technology has published the "Regulation on Participation in Venture Capital Funds and Venture Capital Practices" in the Official Gazette on November 28, 2025 (Issue 33091), establishing a structured framework to channel public resources into venture capital funds supporting technology, innovation, and tech-driven production activities.​

Key Provisions and Process

The regulation outlines call-for-proposal mechanisms aligned with national development plans, evaluating funds based on managers' track records, sector expertise, past returns, management fees, and co-investor commitments. Selected funds sign investor agreements detailing investment committees—where the Ministry may hold significant representation if committing over 50%—focusing on direct or indirect investments in priority areas like deep tech and R&D, under strict monitoring and audit rules.​

Strategic Impact

Excluding development agency funds, this initiative promotes transparency, accountability, and efficient public fund use, enabling Ministry budget transfers while allowing co-investments via protocols. It aims to institutionalize Türkiye's VC ecosystem, expand fund sizes, attract diverse investors, and prioritize strategic sectors to fuel startup growth and global competitiveness.​

Implementation Outlook

Funds must report comprehensively, with the Ministry empowered to intervene in misuse cases, including liquidation or legal action, signaling ongoing regulatory momentum for the sector as noted in recent Venture Capital Council discussions. For full details, refer to the Official Gazette or Ministry announcements.

A Roadmap for a Green Startup Ecosystem

The Istanbul Development Agency, in collaboration with S360, is leading a comprehensive initiative to assess Istanbul’s green entrepreneurship ecosystem and develop a strategic roadmap for its future.

Aligned with the 2024–2028 Istanbul Regional Plan, the study evaluates the ecosystem’s current state, growth potential, and key needs, aiming to deliver a holistic strategy with concrete and actionable priorities.

Collaborative and Data-Driven Process

The work is built on a participatory methodology, including stakeholder interviews, focus groups, and surveys, ensuring that the roadmap reflects real ecosystem dynamics and challenges.

Inclusive Stakeholder Gathering

An important step in the process was the workshop held on April 9, 2026, which brought together more than 50 stakeholders from public institutions, the private sector, academia, and the entrepreneurship ecosystem.

During the workshop, participants jointly assessed:

• The current state of the ecosystem
• Key challenges and bottlenecks
• Potential solutions and policy directions

From Insights to Action

Building on the insights gathered, the initiative aims to develop a concrete and actionable roadmap that will accelerate Istanbul’s green transformation through the leadership of its entrepreneurship ecosystem.

Driving Istanbul’s Green Transformation

The final strategy is expected to strengthen ecosystem support mechanisms, foster innovative and environmentally responsible startups, and position Istanbul as a leading hub for green entrepreneurship.