Top Startup Accelerators & Incubators in Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul sits at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, making it a natural meeting point for ideas, cultures, and business. Turkey's largest city has a fast-growing startup scene that blends Eastern and Western approaches to innovation. With a young population, strong technical talent, and increasing support from both government and private investors, Istanbul has become an exciting place to start a new business.

This guide explores the leading accelerators and incubators shaping Istanbul's evolving startup landscape. These programs support domestic and international startups seeking to establish themselves in the Turkish market.

Top 20 Startup Accelerators & Incubators in Istanbul, Turkey

1. Startupbootcamp Istanbul

Target Audience: Tech startups

Niche: Fintech, healthtech, SaaS, and e-commerce

Startupbootcamp Istanbul was established in 2013 as part of the global Startupbootcamp network. It runs a 3-month program offering funding between $20,000 and $250,000 to selected startups. It provides mentorship, office space, and connections to experts in various industries. It also helps startups access a worldwide network of partners and investors.

2. Sabancı ARF

Target Audience: Early-stage startups

Niche: Open innovation and sustainability

Sabancı ARF is a newer program launched in 2022 by one of Turkey's largest holding companies. It offers a 20-week acceleration platform with funding up to $150,000 for promising ventures. It focuses on startups working on sustainable solutions and open innovation approaches. It also provides structural support to help new companies build solid foundations.

3. Arya Women's Investment Platform

Target Audience: Women-led startups

Niche: Female entrepreneurship

Arya Women was founded in 2013 to support female entrepreneurs in Turkey. It combines venture capital funding with accelerator services specifically for women-led businesses. It provides mentoring and training designed to address women's unique business challenges. It also works to bridge the gap between talented female founders and funding opportunities.

4. Inventures

Target Audience: Early-stage technology startups

Niche: Tech, SaaS, fintech, and e-commerce

Inventures has supported Turkish startups since 2009 as one of the country's established accelerators. It offers seed investment for promising early-stage technology companies, technological partnerships, and guidance for product development. It also connects founders with mentors who have experience building successful businesses.

5. Etohum

Target Audience: Tech, internet, and mobile startups

Niche: Digital innovation

Etohum was one of Turkey's first startup accelerators when it launched in 2008. It focuses on supporting technology, internet, and mobile startups with growth potential. It provides seed funding, comprehensive business development support, and networking opportunities with investors and potential partners.

6. KWORKS

Target Audience: Technology startups

Niche: University-backed innovation

KWORKS is Koç University's Entrepreneurship Research Center, established in 2015. It provides a 12-month accelerator and incubator program for technology startups. It offers funding up to $50,000, coworking space, and business development support. It also provides legal and financial guidance from experts connected to the university.

7. Lonca Girişimcilik Merkezi

Target Audience: Tech, fintech, e-commerce, and AI startups

Niche: Digital business acceleration

Lonca was founded in 2017 to support innovative digital businesses in Turkey. It runs a six-month accelerator program with seed funding for selected startups. It provides mentorship and training focused on technology business development and helps connect startups with potential customers and investors.

8. Innovate 21st

Target Audience: Fintech, e-commerce, and environmental startups

Niche: High-growth sectors

Innovate 21st was established in 2018 to support high-potential startups in key growth sectors. It offers substantial funding of up to $250,000 for selected ventures showing significant potential. It provides mentorship from industry experts with relevant experience and helps startups connect with investors for follow-on funding.

9. PILOT

Target Audience: Tech startups

Niche: Telecom innovation

PILOT was launched in 2013 by Türk Telekom, Turkey's largest telecommunications company. It runs a 12-week accelerator program offering 200,000 TL (about $6,000) in funding. It provides mentorship and office space for participating startups. It also gives access to Türk Telekom's extensive network and potential customer base.

10. QNBEYOND

Target Audience: Early-stage startups

Niche: Financial innovation

QNBEYOND was created in 2019 by QNB Finansbank to support innovative early-stage companies. It offers a 6-month accelerator program with $5,000 in grant funding that doesn't require giving up equity. It provides mentorship, coworking space, and practical business support. It also helps startups access global markets and opportunities.

11. ALBARAKA GARAJ

Target Audience: Fintech, AI, and big data startups

Niche: Islamic finance innovation

ALBARAKA GARAJ was founded in 2017 to support financial technology innovation. It provides 50,000 TL (about $1,500) in funding for selected startups, offers mentorship from finance, artificial intelligence, and data analysis experts, and creates networking opportunities with potential partners and investors.

12. Inovent A.Ş.

Target Audience: Academic-based startups

Niche: Technology commercialization

Inovent was founded in 2006 by Sabancı University as Turkey's first technology commercialization company. It supports startups that emerge from academic research with 200,000 TL (about $6,000) in funding. It provides strategic consulting to help turn research into viable businesses and helps bridge the gap between scientific innovation and commercial markets.

13. Workup Agri

Target Audience: Agricultural technology startups

Niche: Agtech innovation

Workup Agri was launched in 2021 to support innovation in the important agricultural sector. It runs a six-month accelerator program with funding up to $200,000 for selected startups. It provides mentorship from agriculture and business experts and focuses on helping build sustainable business models for the farming sector.

14. Fit Startup Factory

Target Audience: Environmental technology startups

Niche: Sustainability innovation

Fit Startup Factory has been operating since 2013 to support environmental technology ventures. It provides 200,000 TL (about $6,000) in funding for startups with eco-friendly solutions. It offers mentorship and business training focused on sustainability. It also helps startups develop from the initial idea through to the growth stage.

15. HackZone

Target Audience: Startups across all industries

Niche: Multi-sector acceleration

HackZone was established in 2018 as a general startup accelerator supporting various industries. It runs a six-month accelerator program with 200,000 TL (about $6,000) in funding. It provides training and mentorship to address common startup challenges and offers access to a network of potential investors.

16. Imece

Target Audience: Social entrepreneurs

Niche: Social innovation

Imece was founded in 2016 to support entrepreneurs working on social and environmental challenges. It focuses on startups addressing cultural, environmental, and community issues. It provides mentorship and training designed for social impact ventures and connects founders with experts who can help solve complex social problems.

17. StartersHub

Target Audience: Early-stage tech startups

Niche: Technology scaling

StartersHub has been providing comprehensive resources to support technology startups since 2015. It provides funding, mentorship, and workspace for promising early-stage companies. It has helped build successful Turkish startups like Meditopia and Zeplin. It also offers global networking opportunities to help companies expand internationally.

18. ITU Çekirdek

Target Audience: Technology startups

Niche: Technical innovation

ITU Çekirdek was established in 2012 as one of Turkey's most prominent startup incubators. It is connected to Istanbul Technical University, providing access to technical expertise. It offers mentorship, office space, and connections to industry partners. It also helps startups access funding through its network of investors.

19. BTM

Target Audience: Technology entrepreneurs

Niche: Business commercialization

BTM was launched in 2017 as Istanbul's Center for Commercializing Knowledge. It provides incubation and acceleration services for technology startups, mentorship, office space, and business development resources and helps connect startups with potential investors and customers.

20. Innogate

Target Audience: Turkish tech startups with global ambitions

Niche: International expansion

Innogate was founded in 2014 to help Turkish startups expand into global markets. It runs an international acceleration program focused on helping companies scale beyond Turkey. It provides specialized training and mentorship for entering US and UK markets and creates connections with global partners and investors.

AcceleratorApp's Closing Thoughts on Startup Accelerators and Incubators in Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul's startup scene is special because it combines European and Asian influences. The city's location has always made it a trading hub where different cultures and ideas meet, and this continues today in its approach to startups. Turkish entrepreneurs blend Western business practices with Eastern creativity and problem-solving.

Istanbul's ecosystem is unique because it addresses local and global challenges. Many startups begin by solving problems specific to Turkey or the Middle East, then expand to reach international markets. This approach helps them develop strong foundations before scaling globally.

The support system for startups in Istanbul has grown significantly in recent years. Entrepreneurs can find help tailored to their specific needs, from university programs to corporate accelerators. The Turkish government has also increased its support for innovation, creating more opportunities for new businesses.

As Istanbul continues to develop as a startup hub, it's creating its own identity that builds on Turkey's entrepreneurial traditions while embracing global innovation. For founders looking for a place that combines affordable talent, access to multiple markets, and a unique cultural perspective, Istanbul offers a compelling alternative to more established startup centers.