Start to explore Istanbul’s thriving startup ecosystem

Discover Istanbul’s key innovation fields.

Gaming

Istanbul gaming ecosystem has become a proven investment hub, marked by rapid execution, efficient capital use, and repeated global exits. As the second city in Europe with the highest number of game studios, right after London, its depth of talent continues to stand out. Experienced founders consistently scale new studios, turning Istanbul into one of the most attractive markets for high-return opportunities. With its track record of billion-dollar acquisitions and a steady pipeline of ambitious teams, the ecosystem offers investors both resilience and outsized growth potential.

FinTech

The Istanbul fintech ecosystem is accelerating rapidly, powered by one of the strongest and most sophisticated banking systems in the region. The launch of the Istanbul Financial Center has further strengthened the city’s position as a regional financial hub, attracting both talent and capital.

At the same time, a growing number of fintech startups, each demonstrating remarkable local traction, scalable business models, and record-breaking success stories, are now shifting their focus beyond Türkiye’s borders. With eyes set on global markets and neighboring regions, Istanbul’s fintech ecosystem is breaking out of its shell and entering a new phase of sustained, internationally oriented growth.

DeepTech

AI & Big Data

E-Commerce

SaaS

OUR ECOSYSTEM

Explore Istanbul’s leading startup ecoystem actors.

Accelerator
Programs

71 Actors

Incubation
Centers

39 Actors

Venture Capital
Funds

37 Actors

Crowdfunding
Platforms

11 Actors

Angel Investment
Networks

6 Actors

Technoparks and
Tekmers

43 Actors

Co-Working
Spaces

43 Actors

Public
Bodies

7 Actors

Communities and
Platforms

41 Actors

Universities and
TTOs

35 Actors

Corporates Business
Associations

45 Actors

NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

See All

Ministry of Industry and Technology Unveils $300M into Venture Capital Ecosystem

Istanbul – In a move to catalyze the next era of high-tech growth, Minister of Industry and Technology Mr. Mehmet Fatih Kacır has announced a $300 million funding package dedicated to venture capital (VC) funds. Speaking at the...

May 8, 2026

Istanbul Designs the Future of the Hardware Entrepreneurship Ecosystem

Istanbul’s Rise as a Hardware Startup Hub Istanbul is evolving beyond being a hub for software and gaming; it is on its way to becoming the region's largest production base for hardware startups. In this new era—where AI...

May 6, 2026

Türkiye Unveils Comprehensive Reforms to Become Global Startup and Investment Hub

During the "Powerhouse for the Investments in the Türkiye Century” program, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced a landmark legislative package designed to bolster International Direct Investment (IDI) and transform...

Apr 24, 2026

Horizon Europe: Expert Support for EIC Accelerator Short Applications

Horizon Europe: Expert Support for EIC Accelerator Short Applications Within the scope of the Competitiveness of Sectors Programme, co-financed by the European Union and the Republic of Türkiye, specialized support is now available...

Apr 21, 2026

EIT Jumpstarter 2026: Bridging the Gap from Research to Revenue

The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) has officially opened applications for the 2026 edition of its award-winning pre-acceleration program. Designed for researchers, scientists, and early-stage innovators across...

Apr 21, 2026

₺2 Million Support for Scale-ups: KOSGEB Entrepreneur Support Program – 2026 2nd Term Applications Open

KOSGEB has launched the second application cycle for its 2026 Business Development Call, offering up to ₺2,000,000 in financing to entrepreneurs in strategic sectors. The Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Industry and Technology and...

Apr 20, 2026

€3 Million Fund Launched: ENHANCER PRO Start-Up Grant Scheme Now Open for Applications

The International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) and the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Industry and Technology have announced a major joint initiative to fuel the Turkish entrepreneurship ecosystem. The ENHANCER PRO...

Apr 20, 2026

Istanbul’s Global Startup Gateway is Live: Start in Istanbul Platform and 2025 Ecosystem Report Unveiled

Istanbul has officially consolidated its dynamic entrepreneurship ecosystem into a single digital destination. Designed to make the city a global magnet for investors and entrepreneurs, the startin.istanbul platform was introduced to the...

Apr 17, 2026

New Era for Istanbul’s Startup Ecosystem: Start in Istanbul Platform and State of the Ecosystem Report Launch

Istanbul is taking a monumental step toward becoming a global entrepreneurship hub with the launch of its official ecosystem platform and the release of the most comprehensive ecosystem report to date. The Istanbul Development Agency...

Apr 14, 2026

Istanbul is Shaping Its Green Startup Ecosystem Roadmap

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...

Apr 10, 2026

Türkiye Showcases Tech Innovation with 34 Startups at CES 2026 Turcorn Pavilion

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...

Feb 26, 2026

Türkiye's Ministry of Industry and Technology Launches Venture Capital Fund Regulation

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...

Dec 18, 2025

Türkiye Tech Visa Program Accelerates Global Talent Inflow for Startups

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...

Dec 18, 2025

Terminal Istanbul: Pioneering the World's Largest Tech and Entrepreneurship Hub

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...

Dec 18, 2025

Take Off Istanbul 2025 Concludes with Record-Breaking Global Impact

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...

Dec 18, 2025

ISTKA Releases "Startups and Regulation: The Türkiye Perspective" Report

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...

Dec 18, 2025