Istanbul Development Agency

Istanbul Development Agency (İstanbul Kalkınma Ajansı, İSTKA) is a regional development institution established to support the economic, social, cultural, and environmental development of Istanbul in line with national and regional priorities. Operating under the Ministry of Industry and Technology of the Republic of Türkiye, the agency designs and implements strategic planning, programs, and projects that enhance competitiveness, innovation, and sustainable growth across Istanbul’s diverse sectors. Its core activities include preparing development strategies, coordinating investments, and fostering collaboration among public institutions, the private sector, universities, and civil society.

In recent years, İstanbul Development Agency has positioned itself as a key startup ecosystem builder, supporting Istanbul’s entrepreneurship and innovation landscape through more than 120 funded projects focused on ecosystem development, acceleration, incubation, and innovation infrastructure. The agency also acts as an investor in venture capital funds, strengthening access to finance for startups, and produces strategies, roadmaps, and analytical reports to guide ecosystem growth. In parallel, İSTKA leads and supports international promotion initiatives, showcasing Istanbul’s startup ecosystem at leading global events such as CES, Web Summit, Slush, and other major technology and entrepreneurship platforms, contributing to the city’s global visibility and connectivity.