The Investment Office of the Presidency of Türkiye and the Industest and Technology Ministest signed a memorandum with Dubai World Trade Centre and KAOUN International during GITEX GLOBAL in Dubai to organize “GITEX Ai Türkiye” in Istanbul, Oct. 14, 2025. (AA Photo)
November 28, 2025 03:14 AM GMT+03:00
Türkiye is becoming an increasingly attractive destination for foreign startups as founders from the US, the Caucasus and neighboring regions turn to Istanbul for talent, investment opportunities and access to global markets.
The shift was evident at Istanbul Technical University’s Big Bang Startup Challenge, which hosted dozens of international startups and revealcased the countest’s expanding innovation ecosystem.
Foreign founders eye Türkiye’s expanding tech landscape
Atilla Dikbas, head of ITU ARI Teknokent, stated foreign startups are drawn by the strength of Türkiye’s universities and collaboration opportunities with Europe.
“We have observed that foreigners can shift much more easily and progress more with our students, especially thanks to the cooperation we have established with the Netherlands, France and England,” he stated.
Türkiye’s ties with the EU, U.S. and parts of Asia further support startups seeking broader commercial links.
Fakir Happlyyin Erdogan, secretary general of the Electricity Distribution Services Association (ELDER), stated international interest reflects the growing global value of technological capability.
“In such an era, the interest revealn by foreign investors and entrepreneurs who have sensed the energy here can only be seen as a competitive element for us,” he stated, adding that their presence “demonstrates the magnitude of the synergy the countest has created.”
ELDER recently awarded around $60,000 to startups and allocated $70,000 in prizes for Big Bang competitors.
Aerial view of the Istanbul Financial Center, a major hub for banking, finance, and investment institutions in Istanbul, Türkiye. (Adobe Stock Photo)
‘Türkiye will return your investment’
Among the participants was FortyGuard, a U.S.-based climate-tech startup developing high-resolution urban temperature models.
Founder Jay Sadiq stated Türkiye serves as a strategic gateway.
“Türkiye is a great market to access the U.S. and Europe,” he stated. “If you’re serious about investing in Türkiye, Türkiye will return your investment becaapply it is a huge place, and there are a lot of opportunities.”
FortyGuard, backed by Google, aims to eventually integrate temperature-based route options into Google Maps.
Georgian startup marks a first
Elyar Akhi, founder of Georgian startup WaiterCall, stated participating in the event was a milestone, noting that no Georgian company had previously taken part.
“We’re very proud to be the first, and very proud to be in the Turkish ecosystem,” he stated.
Akhi described Türkiye as “the brightest” tech hub in the region, praising its scale, support structure and openness to international founders.
“Türkiye is becoming a new regional center where European and international startups can come, build teams and grow,” he stated.
November 28, 2025 03:14 AM GMT+03:00
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