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Fueling creativity and global gaming success.

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Pushing boundaries in science and technology.

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Unlocking Potential: The Booming SaaS Ecosystem

Istanbul Regional Plan

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Strategy for Startup Ecosystem Development

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Mapping Istanbul Tech Ecosystem

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Deeptech Entrepreneurship in the World and Turkey 

Deep Dive into Deep Tech

The Türkiye Tech Visa Program is a government-led initiative designed to attract international technology startups, entrepreneurs, and talent to Türkiye. Implemented by the Ministry of Industry and Technology in collaboration with key ecosystem stakeholders, the program offers fast-track visa and residence permit processes for foreign founders and their teams. Eligible startups also gain facilitated access to Türkiye’s startup ecosystem, including techno-parks, incubators, accelerators, public support mechanisms and investment networks. By lowering administrative barriers and providing a soft-landing framework, the Türkiye Tech Visa Program strengthens Istanbul’s position as a regional hub for innovation, entrepreneurship, and cross-border startup activity.


Türkiye Tech Visa Program

The TURCORN 100 Program is a government-led scale-up initiative designed to support high-growth technology startups on their journey to becoming unicorns. Implemented by the Ministry of Industry and Technology in collaboration with key public and private ecosystem stakeholders, the program targets startups with strong global growth potential and advanced technological capabilities. TURCORN provides tailored support in areas such as strategic scaling, international market access, investment readiness, corporate partnerships, and policy facilitation. By focusing on late-stage startups and scale-ups, the TURCORN 100 Program strengthens Türkiye’s pipeline of globally competitive technology companies and reinforces Istanbul’s position as a regional hub for high-impact innovation and entrepreneurship.

TURCORN 100 – Türkiye’s Unicorn Acceleration Program

The BiGG (Individual Young Entrepreneurship) Program is a flagship national entrepreneurship support scheme implemented by The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TÜBİTAK) to foster technology-based and innovative startups in Türkiye. The program supports early-stage entrepreneurs through structured training, mentorship, business plan development, and company formation. 
BiGG offers a blended financial support. The grant component provides non-repayable funding of up to approximately USD 10,500 (TRY 450,000) to help founders establish their companies and validate their business models. The pre-seed investment component, designed to invest in approximately 300 startups annually, offers up to approximately USD 21,000 (TRY 900,000) in funding in exchange for a 3% equity stake. Through this combined approach, the BiGG Program enables entrepreneurs to transform innovative ideas into scalable and globally competitive startups, contributing significantly to the growth and international visibility of Istanbul’s startup ecosystem.

BiGG – Individual Young Entrepreneurship Program

A Teknopark (Technology Development Zone) in Türkiye is an officially designated innovation ecosystem where universities, research institutions, and technology-oriented companies collaborate to conduct R&D, develop new technologies, and commercialize innovative products. Teknoparks operate under Law No. 4691, and the Ministry of Industry and Technology is the main public authority responsible for shaping the policy framework, authorizing the establishment of Technology Development Zones, and ensuring their alignment with national innovation and industrial strategies.

Within this framework, the Ministry oversees the governance, monitoring, and performance evaluation of Teknoparks through their managing companies. It supervises compliance with legislation, approves development plans, and coordinates incentive mechanisms—such as tax exemptions, employment incentives, and R&D support instruments—that enhance the attractiveness of Teknoparks for startups, scale-ups, and technology-driven firms. This regulatory and supervisory role ensures consistency, accountability, and long-term sustainability across the Teknopark system.

Beyond regulation, the Ministry plays a strategic role in integrating Teknoparks into Türkiye’s broader entrepreneurship, R&D, and industrial ecosystem. By coordinating with universities, public institutions, development agencies, and international partners, the Ministry supports Teknoparks as key platforms for technology transfer, startup growth, and the commercialization of research, contributing to innovation-led economic development.

Teknoparks & Technology Development Zones

The TEKMER Support Program is a specialized initiative by KOSGEB (Small and Medium Enterprises Development Organization of Türkiye) aimed at strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem by enabling the establishment and sustainable operation of Technology Development Centers (TEKMERs). These centers provide vital services such as pre-incubation, incubation, and post-incubation support for early-stage and technology-oriented enterprises, helping them grow from ideas into viable businesses and contribute to national innovation goals.

Under the program, qualifying TEKMER operators receive financial support for key operational components, including furniture and equipment, shared machines and software, personnel costs, and training, consultancy, events, and promotion. Support limits can reach several million Turkish lira—with typical reimbursement rates around 75% of eligible costs—and additional capacity-building funding available under specific criteria. The goal is to foster collaboration among ecosystem actors and build robust infrastructures that accelerate research‐based and technology-intensive startup

 TEKMER Support Program

The Advanced Entrepreneurship Support Program is KOSGEB’s targeted support scheme designed for technology-oriented and innovative startups with higher value-added potential. The program provides non-repayable grants to support company establishment, machinery and equipment acquisition, software, and qualified personnel costs. It particularly focuses on startups operating in priority technology areas, encouraging innovation-driven entrepreneurship and sustainable business growth. By reducing early-stage financial barriers, the program helps technology startups accelerate commercialization and strengthens Türkiye’s pipeline of innovation-based enterprises.

Advanced Entrepreneurship Support Program

The Techno-Investment Support Program (Techno-Invest) is a strategic KOSGEB initiative aimed at supporting the commercialization and scaling of technology-based products developed through R&D and innovation activities. The program provides substantial grant and financial support for investments related to production, testing, certification, and market entry. By bridging the gap between R&D outcomes and market-ready products, Techno-Invest enables startups and SMEs to transform technological know-how into competitive, high-impact commercial solutions, contributing to industrial innovation and global competitiveness.

Techno-Investment Support Program

Horizon Europe is the European Union’s flagship research and innovation funding program, supporting cutting-edge startups, scale-ups, research organizations, and innovation-driven companies. The program focuses on deep tech, sustainability, digital transformation, and high-impact innovation, offering substantial grant and blended finance opportunities, including the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator. In Türkiye, the program is nationally coordinated by The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TÜBİTAK), which provides guidance, information, and support services to applicants throughout the proposal preparation and participation process. Startups and companies based in Türkiye are eligible to apply for Horizon Europe calls, enabling access to non-dilutive funding, international consortia, and Europe-wide innovation networks, while strengthening Istanbul’s integration into global R&D and innovation value chains.

Horizon Europe – EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation

Supports & Grants

Startups Watch is a data-driven startup intelligence platform focused on the Turkish and regional startup ecosystem. It provides comprehensive insights into startups, investors, funding rounds, exits, and ecosystem trends, serving as a key reference point for international investors, corporates, policymakers, and ecosystem stakeholders. By offering curated data, analytics, and market reports, Startups Watch enhances transparency and accessibility within Türkiye’s startup ecosystem and supports informed investment and partnership decisions.


Startup Ecosystem Intelligence & Deal Flow Platform

StartupCentrum is a leading digital platform designed to connect startups with investors, corporates, and ecosystem stakeholders in Türkiye and the surrounding region. The platform enables startups to showcase their ventures, track funding opportunities, and access investor networks, while allowing investors to discover curated deal flow and monitor ecosystem trends. By facilitating startup–investor matchmaking, community building, and ecosystem events, StartupCentrum plays a vital role in increasing the visibility of Istanbul-based startups and strengthening cross-border investment connections.

Startup & Investor Matching Platform

Startup Genome is a globally recognized research and advisory organization specializing in startup ecosystem analysis and development. It provides data-driven insights, benchmarking, and strategic guidance to governments, investors, and ecosystem builders worldwide. Within this framework, Istanbul is an active participant in Startup Genome’s global ecosystem index and benchmarking studies. To support the international positioning and promotion of Istanbul’s startup ecosystem, a formal partnership has been established, enabling the systematic provision of ecosystem data, performance indicators, and market insights to Startup Genome. This collaboration enhances Istanbul’s global visibility, supports evidence-based ecosystem development, and facilitates greater engagement from international startups, investors, and corporate partners.

Global Startup Ecosystem Research, Benchmarking & Promotion Partnership

StartupBlink is a global startup ecosystem research and mapping platform that analyzes and ranks startup ecosystems across cities and countries worldwide. Through its Global Startup Ecosystem Index, StartupBlink provides data-driven benchmarking and comparative insights for policymakers, investors, and ecosystem stakeholders. Within this framework, Istanbul is included in StartupBlink’s global rankings, supporting the city’s international visibility and positioning as an emerging startup hub. To ensure accurate representation and effective promotion, ecosystem-level data, indicators, and qualitative insights related to Istanbul’s startup landscape are regularly provided to StartupBlink. This collaboration contributes to global benchmarking efforts while strengthening Istanbul’s attractiveness for international startups, investors, and innovation-driven companies.

Global Startup Ecosystem Index, Benchmarking & Promotion Partnership

Dealroom is a leading global data and intelligence platform providing comprehensive insights into startups, scale-ups, investors, funding rounds, and innovation ecosystems worldwide. Widely used by international investors, governments, corporates, and ecosystem builders, Dealroom enables data-driven analysis of startup ecosystems and investment trends. Through ecosystem partnerships and data collaboration, Dealroom supports the mapping and promotion of startup hubs, enhancing their global visibility and attractiveness. Inclusion in Dealroom’s platform allows ecosystems such as Istanbul to present a transparent, data-rich view of their startup landscape, facilitating international investment, partnerships, and informed decision-making.

Global Startup & Investment Intelligence Platform

Istanbul Tech Map is a comprehensive mapping and analysis platform that showcases Istanbul’s technology and entrepreneurship ecosystem. It provides data-driven insights on startups, investors, support organizations, and sectoral dynamics, helping stakeholders better understand connections, opportunities, and gaps within the ecosystem. The platform aims to support informed decision-making and ecosystem development at both local and global levels.

Istanbul Tech Map 

Data & Rankings

Explore curated reports, data, and tools to understand Istanbul’s startup ecosystem and unlock global business opportunities.

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