Istanbul's 30 Best Startup Accelerators & Incubators [2024]

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Updated: January 20th, 2022

Are you looking for an accelerator program in Istanbul?

Are you aware of the fact that Istanbul is ranked seventh amongst top European cities that fetched the highest investment in 2021?

If you're starting a startup in Istanbul, you might be wondering what startup accelerators or incubators exist in the area. Here's the full list:

Best Startup Accelerators & Incubators In Istanbul

#	Accelerator/Incubator	Funding	Location	Apply
1	PILOT	200K TL	Istanbul	Apply
2	KWORKS	$50K	Istanbul	Apply
3	QNBEYOND	$5,000	Istanbul	Apply
4	ALBARAKA GARAJ	50K TL	Istanbul	Apply
5	Inovent A.Ş.	200K TL	Istanbul	Apply
6	Startupbootcamp	$20K - $250K	Global	Apply
7	Workup Agri	$200K	Istanbul	Apply
8	Fit Startup Factory	200K TL	Istanbul	Apply
9	HackZone	200K TL	Istanbul	Apply
10	ITU Cekirdek	Not Disclosed	Istanbul	Apply
11	SG Sports Startup Accelerator Program	Not Disclosed	Istanbul	Apply
12	Workup	Not Disclosed	Istanbul	Apply
13	Innogate	Not Disclosed	Istanbul ...	Apply
14	VISA Innovation Program	Not Disclosed	Istanbul	Apply
15	BTM	Not Disclosed	Istanbul	Apply
16	Imece	Not Disclosed	Istanbul	Apply
17	Starters Hub	Not Disclosed	Istanbul ...	Apply
18	ITU MAGNET	Not Disclosed	Istanbul	Apply
19	Inovent	Not Disclosed	Istanbul	Apply
20	Acibadem University	Not Disclosed	Istanbul	Apply
21	Bogazici UniversityTeknopark	Not Disclosed	Istanbul	Apply
22	Granati BBVA Partners	Not Disclosed	Istanbul	Apply
23	Incubation Istanbul	Not Disclosed	Istanbul	Apply
24	Inogar Cooperative	Not Disclosed	Istanbul	Apply
25	TIM TEB GIRISM EVLERI	Not Disclosed	Istanbul	Apply
26	YTU YILDIZ Technopark	Not Disclosed	Istanbul	Apply
27	ITU ARI Teknokent	Not Disclosed	Istanbul	Apply
28	YILDIZ KALUCKA	Not Disclosed	Istanbul	Apply
29	PlugAndPlay	Not Disclosed	Global	Apply
30	Take Off Istanbul	Not Disclosed	Istanbul	Apply

1. PILOT

Location: Istanbul
Industry: All Industries
Investment Size: 200K TL
Program Length: 12 Weeks
Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

PILOT, hosted by Turk Telecom, runs a business program that assists startups and entrepreneurs to take their technology businesses to new business heights in the industry. They provide participating businesses with cash support of 200K TL, marketing & business development opportunities, business cooperation, one-on-one mentorship from industry experts & investors, business advice from professionals belonging to different business sectors, training programs, networking & connection-building opportunities, access to investor network, office space, technology infrastructure, mobile communication, and promotional business support. This 12-week intensive business program prepares entrepreneurs to create a viable, scalable, and validated business model and pitch their businesses in front of investors on the demo day.

Apply to PILOT, or learn more ➜

2. KWORKS

Location: Istanbul
Industry: Technology-based, B2B, and SaaS startups
Investment Size: $50K
Program Length: 12 Months
Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

KWORKS operates a business accelerator program that serves as a hub for entrepreneurs to build great businesses in the industry. The mission of this 12-month program is to accelerate innovative startup companies and empower entrepreneurs to move forward in the industry by enhancing their path of building scalable, successful, and sustainable business firms. They strengthen entrepreneurs and provide them with co-working space, business & product development support, legal, technical & financial consultancy, infrastructure, cloud services, hands-on business support, connection-building opportunities, guidance & business advice from experts, training, mentorship sessions, and access to attend demo-day programs. They majorly assist startups in the niche of AR, VR, SaaS, B2B, IoT, AI, mobile & web apps, etc.

Apply to KWORKS, or learn more ➜

3. QNBEYOND

Location: Istanbul
Industry: All Industries
Investment Size: $5,000
Program Length: 6 Months
Equity Taken: No Equity Taken

QNBEYOND runs a 6-month business acceleration program that aims to help entrepreneurs to grow and succeed in their businesses in the industry by offering them various business benefits. This business program provides participants with grants of $5,000 to accelerate business network, mentorship from experts, coworking space, investment opportunity, technical assistance, access to global business markets, business education & knowledge, advertising & marketing support, business consultancy, networking opportunities, and resources to validate business ideas. This program accepts applications from the business running in the niche of technology, innovative & scalable products & services of idea stage, prototype stage, and MVP & closed beta stage.

Apply to QNBEYOND, or learn more ➜

4. ALBARAKA GARAJ

Location: Istanbul
Industry: All Industries
Investment Size: 50K TL
Program Length: Not Disclosed
Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

ALBARAKA GARAJ organizes a business program that supports entrepreneurs and fulfills their business needs by offering them resources to accelerate their business. This technology-based accelerator program provides participants with acceleration & incubation services, guidance, networking opportunities, working area, financial support of 50K TL, training program, workshops, mentorship, consultation, and business support to the ventures running in the niche of financial technology, big data, artificial intelligence, and payment systems. Some of its portfolio business companies are; Tech Sign, Inooster, Omnibus, Rubicio, Pedicel, Pays Account, My Dues, I Caked, and more.

Apply to ALBARAKA GARAJ, or learn more ➜

5. Inovent A.Ş.

Location: Istanbul
Industry: All Industries
Investment Size: 200K TL
Program Length: 8 Weeks
Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

Inovent, Turkey's first technology commercialization and seed fund company was founded by Sabanci University in 2006. By focusing specifically on academia-based entrepreneurship, Inovent manages the commercialization of technologies that are still at an early stage.Scale-ups can benefit from Inovent services for international funding and strategic consultancy.

BIGG Program is supported by TUBITAK. TÜBİTAK has determined us as the Executive Organization and we continue our entrepreneurial activities in this context. BIGG4Tech hosted by Sabanci University is a business program that helps startups and entrepreneurs to implement their business ideas in the industry. This 8-week business program provides participants with training, entrepreneurship knowledge, strategic and funding support, mentorship, research & development technology, investment of 200K TL, innovative business ideas, and product-market fit.

They assist ten entrepreneurs & startups in a single cohort and support them to grow, scale, and achieve international success. Some of its startup portfolio companies are; Fazla Gida, Shopier, Reminis, Mental Up, Specky, Easy Restaurant, and more.

Apply to Inovent A.Ş., or learn more ➜

6. Startupbootcamp

Location: Global
Industry: Healthcare Industry
Investment Size: $20K - $250K
Program: 6 Months
Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

Startupbootcamp's Scale Digital Health is an accelerator program designed to scale growth-stage healthcare businesses.

This 6-month program offers the customized support, fundraising and revenue-increasing opportunities, exposure channels, an unparalleled network of industry professionals, expertise, tailored mentorship, perks & benefits, access to a global network of corporate partners and investors, and co-working space to the healthcare startups.

Apply to Startupbootcamp, or learn more ➜

7. Workup Agri

Location: Istanbul
Industry: Agriculture Industry
Investment Size: $200K
Program Length: 6 Months
Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

Workup Agri is a collaborative effort of Turkey Business Bank & Hackquarters and operates a business accelerator program that works to support agriculture-focused startups of the industry. This program supports the growth of technology startups that aim to build scalable businesses and viable solutions in the agriculture industry. It is a 6-month business program that strengthens business innovation in the agtech sector, supports sustainable business productions, provides mentorship from experts, and creates digital business models for the businesses running in the niche of smart agriculture, climate change, supply chain & distribution, water use management, and other business areas.

Apply to Workup Agri, or learn more ➜

8. Fit Startup Factory

Location: Istanbul
Industry: Environment Tech
Investment Size: 200K TL
Program Length: Not Disclosed
Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

Fit Startup Factory assists businesses to grow from the idea stage to the growth stage and helps them bring their innovative business ideas into reality. The mission of this accelerator program is to create high-growth and sustainable tech startup businesses in the industry by offering them lean-business methods, customer-driven business methodologies, mentorship, business training, and networking opportunities. They also host a Venture Factory BIGG Acceleration Program, under which young entrepreneurs are provided with 200K TL as funds, tools & resources to reform technology-based innovative business ideas into highly commercialized products and services in the market.

Apply to Fit Startup Factory, or learn more ➜

9. HackZone

Location: Istanbul
Industry: All Industries
Investment Size: 200K TL
Program Length: 6 Months
Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

HackZone operates a 6-month startup accelerator program that assists startups to scale, grow, and succeed in the industry. This is a unique business program that assists participants in creating unique business ideas, creating customer experiences, innovative business models, funds of 200K TL, an intensive training program, mentorship, access to experts & investment network, commercialization business support, and business solutions. They have assisted companies like; Co-One, B2Metric, Otokonfor, Diyetkolik, Uservision, Mind Behind, Stox, and many more.

Apply to HackZone, or learn more ➜

10. ITU Cekirdek

Location: Istanbul
Industry: All Industries
Investment Size: Not Disclosed
Program Length: 1 Year
Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

ITU Cekirdek hosts a business incubation program that assists entrepreneurs to move their startup businesses from the production stage to the success stage. This program runs for 1-year and provides them with one-on-one business coaching, support to achieve predefined business goals, business expertise, guidance in different business verticals, PR & HR services, networking opportunities with potential customers & investors, educational services, business training, strategies, various tools & business resources, incubation services, and growth-enabled business models. They majorly assist businesses running in the niche of game tech, automotive, insurtech, sustainability, and technological cities.

Apply to ITU Cekirdek, or learn more ➜

11. SG Sports Startup Accelerator Program

Location: Istanbul
Industry: Sports Industry
Investment Size: Not Disclosed
Program Length: 12-14 Days
Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

SG Sports Startup Accelerator Program works intending to support innovators, entrepreneurs, and startups having a sports-based product or service. This Istanbul-based accelerator program provides participants with mentorship, training, assistance, access to attend boot camps, networking with strategic partners & investors, partnership-building opportunities, and investment & fund-raising opportunities. The objective of this program is to offer solutions to different sports-based problems to the startups having businesses under the verticals of; big data & sports analytics, sports education & coaching, smart stadiums, fantasy games, advanced sports materials, nutrition & sports supplement, wearable sports technologies, gamification of sports, and smart sports systems and devices.

Apply to SG Sports Startup Accelerator Program, or learn more ➜

12. Workup

Location: Istanbul
Industry: Technology Industry
Investment Size: Not Disclosed
Program Length: 6 Months
Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

Workup hosts a startup accelerator program that supports entrepreneurs and helps them grow and succeed in the industry. The mission of this program is to provide technology-oriented business ways and digital business models to empower the growth of entrepreneurs. This program also provides participants with a working space, networking & relationship-building opportunities on a global scale, access to attend demo day & inspirational events, consultancy to build products & develop businesses, technical support, educational knowledge on topics like accounts, finance, & legalities, and mentorship. Some of its assisted startup firms are; My Balance, Bob, Video, PCI Checklist, and more.

Apply to Workup, or learn more ➜

13. Innogate

Location: Istanbul & San Francisco
Industry: All Industries
Investment Size: Not Disclosed
Program Length: 5 Weeks
Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

Innogate hosts an international accelerator program that assists technology businesses of the industry with training, investment, mentorship, coworking space, resources for research & development, and tools to expand in the global business market. This program accelerates businesses in the market by executing strategies, networking with consultants & potential customers, offering roadmaps & models for product innovation in the US market, market discovery, customer journey mapping, and adjusting pricing, sales, & marketing strategies.

Apply to Innogate, or learn more ➜

14. VISA Innovation Program

Location: Istanbul
Industry: Fintech Industry
Investment Size: Not Disclosed
Program Length: 6 Months
Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

VISA Innovation Programs is a collaborative initiative of VISA and Hackquarters. This business platform assists fintech businesses to grow and succeed in the industry. It is a pilot-based program that does not ask for any equity and provides participants access to funding, partnership opportunities, mentorship, market access, business perks upto $200K, tools, and business knowledge essential to enhance their products and services and launch them successfully in the industry. Some of its portfolio business firms are; ARF, Pandme, Manim, Glocal Zone, Global Miles, Fintegre, and more.

Apply to VISA Innovation Program, or learn more ➜

15. BTM

Location: Istanbul
Industry: All Industries
Investment Size: Not Disclosed
Program Length: 6 Months
Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

BTM or Bilgiyi Ticarilestirme Merkezi hosts a business program that offers multifunctional business operational services to the investors & entrepreneurs of the industry. This 6-months incubator program is designed to support entrepreneurs and provide them with working space, specific business opportunities, entrepreneurship knowledge, mentorship & guidance, assistance to turn innovative business ideas into reality, pre-incubation & post-incubation services, matchmaking process with investors, and essential resources to take the business to the scale-up stage.

Apply to BTM, or learn more ➜

16. Imece

Location: Istanbul
Industry: Social Innovation Sector
Investment Size: Not Disclosed
Program Length: 6 Months
Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

Imece operates a business program that assists social entrepreneurs and provides them with innovative social solutions to face environmental, cultural, and social challenges. It runs an accelerator program, i.e., Imece Impact who provides growth initiatives, opportunities, business knowledge & valuation, support development, and investment to the entrepreneurs. This program also provides participants with knowledge about impact measurement, access to a pool of experts, matchmaking opportunities with the business development resources, startup coaching, communication support, and education on topics such as; law, marketing, and product development.

Apply to Imece, or learn more ➜

17. Starters Hub

Location: Istanbul & San Francisco
Industry: Technology Industry
Investment Size: Not Disclosed
Program Length: Not Disclosed
Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

Starters Hub runs a leading business program in Istanbul that focuses on solving business issues and providing early-stage tech ventures with viable & scalable business solutions. This business program assists startups to grow & succeed in the industry by providing them with guidance, funds & investments, mentorship, business strategies, partnership support, networking opportunities, workspace, and acceleration services. They support them to fulfill long-term commitments and become a rapid-growing business venture on a global scale. Some of its portfolio companies are; Meditopia, Segmentify, Zeplin, Thread in Motion, Onlock, Udentify, and more.

Apply to Starters Hub, or learn more ➜

18. ITU MAGNET

Location: Istanbul
Industry: Technology Industry
Investment Size: Not Disclosed
Program Length: Not Disclosed
Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

ITU MAGNET, located in the Technology Development Zone, operates a technology-oriented business program that helps startup companies to build their products and services in the market. This program assists entrepreneurs who want to successfully launch their products and services in the markets by providing them with revenue models, business strategies, working space, collaborative business ecosystem, business support, and sales channels.

Apply to ITU MAGNET, or learn more ➜

19. Inovent

Location: Istanbul
Industry: Technology Industry
Investment Size: Not Disclosed
Program Length: Not Disclosed
Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

Innovent, a business program hosted by Sabanci University provides A to Z business services to the entrepreneurs & startups of the industry. They majorly assist businesses in the niche of water treatment, advanced materials, biomaterials, diagnostic technologies, information technologies, and the treatment of rare diseases. This technology-enabled business program provides early-stage entrepreneurs with resources to commercialize technologies, entrepreneurship knowledge, fundraising & strategic business advice, mentorship, investment & networking opportunities. Some of its assisted business firms are; Appcent, Visio Think, Shopier, Duray, Nano Grafen, Fazla Gida, and more.

Apply to Inovent, or learn more ➜

20. Acibadem University

Location: Istanbul
Industry: Healthcare Industries
Investment Size: Not Disclosed
Program Length: Not Disclosed
Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

Acibadem University operates an incubation program that provides young student entrepreneurs with learning experiences, knowledge about the job planning processes, resources to turn business ideas into reality, education about running a business, entrepreneurship knowledge, access to attend training sessions, workshops, & seminars, and incubation services in the healthcare sector. The mission of this program is to assist entrepreneurs to transform the industry for social and economic benefit. Some of its assisted ventures are; New Generation Heart Valve, TION Healthcare, Medipic, and more.

Apply to Acibadem University, or learn more ➜

21. Bogazici UniversityTeknopark

Location: Istanbul
Industry: Technology Industry
Investment Size: Not Disclosed
Program Length: Not Disclosed
Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

Bogazici UniversityTeknopark organizes a technology business program in Istanbul, Turkey that aims to provide participants with technological business knowledge, academic research, entrepreneurial potential, and support services. This business program turns the economic value of the industry through a collaborative business environment, qualified business research, and offering networking opportunities with academic business staff, access to laboratories, research labs, and libraries to the participants of the program.

Apply to Bogazici UniversityTeknopark, or learn more ➜

22. Granati BBVA Partners

Location: Istanbul
Industry: All Industries
Investment Size: Not Disclosed
Program Length: Not Disclosed
Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

Granati BBVA Partners hosts an accelerator program that helps enterprises grow & scale by offering them industry-specific support & assistance. The mission of this program is to take participating businesses to the next level by providing them with fully-equipped office space, mentorship, collaborative & commercialization opportunities, marketing support, business consultancy, training & seminars, access to finance, and infrastructure & technical support. Entrepreneurs who have high-growth potential, scalable business models, and strong revenue models can take part in this program. Some of its assisted business firms are; Misafir, Phishup, Massive Energy, Ability pool, Ottan, Techbros, Safetech, and more.

Apply to Granati BBVA Partners, or learn more ➜

23. Incubation Istanbul

Location: Istanbul
Industry: All Industries
Investment Size: Not Disclosed
Program Length: Varies
Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

Incubation Istanbul is an incubation and entrepreneurship center that supports entrepreneurs to turn their innovative business ideas into reality by providing them with mentorship, investments, office space, training, business consultancy, and office & laboratory space. They host various programs to assist and empower the growth of participating entrepreneurs, such as; pre-incubation program of 1 month to support idea-stage entrepreneurs, an acceleration program of 3-months to help entrepreneurs enter into the market & take necessary steps towards fulfilling their business ideas, startup program of 9-months to assist entrepreneurs to successfully establish in the industry and help them reach potential customers, and a scale-up program of 12 months to assist entrepreneurs to establish their ventures in the market.

Apply to Incubation Istanbul, or learn more ➜

24. Inogar Cooperative

Location: Istanbul
Industry: All Industries
Investment Size: Not Disclosed
Program Length: Not Disclosed
Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

Inogar Cooperative runs a social business program whose purpose is to create resources for social change and empower economic growth in the industry. The goal of this program is to provide entrepreneurs and participants with the learning experience, advanced business knowledge, and empowerment to grow in the industry. They host various programs such as Inogar Art, Inogar Academy, Inogar City, Inogar Food, and Innogar Fair to assist business ventures running in different business verticals in the industry.

Apply to Inogar Cooperative, or learn more ➜

25. TIM TEB GIRISM EVLERI

Location: Istanbul
Industry: All Industries
Investment Size: Not Disclosed
Program Length: Not Disclosed
Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

TIM TEB GIRISM EVLERI hosts a Let's Up business incubator program that assists emerging young and student entrepreneurs of the industry. They provide participating entrepreneurs with the right business models, resources to turn technology-driven business ideas into reality, tools to commercialization businesses, entrepreneurship knowledge, access to international markets, viable business plans, four training programs, one workshop session, and one project presentation session. Some of its assisted business firms are; MET, Heater Fabric, Doco, Medron Technology, Eyedius, energy IoT Platform, Travis, and many more.

Apply to TIM TEB GIRISM EVLERI, or learn more ➜

26. YTU YILDIZ Technopark

Location: Istanbul
Industry: Technology Industry
Investment Size: Not Disclosed
Program Length: Not Disclosed
Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

YTU YILDIZ Technopark hosts a business program to develop technology-based businesses in the industry. The mission of this program is to empower new and disruptive business technologies in the niche of software, electronics, telecommunication, information technology, machinery & equipment, communication technology, energy, defense, aerospace, food, and construction. This business incubation program provides participants with access to laboratories, prototype studios, meeting & conference rooms, mentorship, guidance, and networking opportunities.

Apply to YTU YILDIZ Technopark, or learn more ➜

27. ITU ARI Teknokent

Location: Istanbul
Industry: Technology Industry
Investment Size: Not Disclosed
Program Length: Not Disclosed
Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

ITU ARI Teknokent operates a business program that assists businesses in the niche of technology, research & development, and innovation. The mission of this program is to provide opportunities to entrepreneurs and startups and help them develop new & innovative technologies and commercialize them. It also contributes to the success of entrepreneurial business ideas and helps them to accomplish business innovations. The mission of this business program is to support, empower, and encourage the growth of scalable technology businesses in the industry. Some of its assisted companies are; Agito, Aim Energy, Algopoly, Analog Devices, Areca, Argela, DMA, Cloud one, and many more.

Apply to ITU ARI Teknokent, or learn more ➜

28. YILDIZ KALUCKA

Location: Istanbul
Industry: Technology Industry
Investment Size: Not Disclosed
Program Length: Not Disclosed
Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

YILDIZ KALUCKA hosts a business program that provides technology-based startups, entrepreneurs, and business firms with equipped office & working space, mentorship from experts, business training, networking opportunities with potential partners & investors, access to the funding process, and workshop prototypes essential for building production-oriented projects in the market. The mission of this incubation program is to help entrepreneurs succeed in the industry.

Apply to YILDIZ KALUCKA, or learn more ➜

29. PlugAndPlay

Location: Global
Industry: Healthcare Industries
Investment Size: Not Disclosed
Program: Not Disclosed
Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

Plug and Play Accelerator is a hub for pharma, digital healthcare startups, and enterprise solutions.

Their program connects innovative startups to a global network of healthcare partners, with the main objective of improving patient care & experience and creating a positive impact on the environment.

Plug & Play incentivizes entrepreneurs with cutting-edge technology, digital health innovation, and networking opportunities.

Apply to PlugAndPlay, or learn more ➜

30. Take Off Istanbul

Location: Istanbul
Industry: Technology Industry
Investment Size: Not Disclosed
Program Length: Not Disclosed
Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

Take Off Istanbul runs a technology business program that assists disruptive startups and business companies for non-stop business innovation. This program provides participants with mentorship, support, guidance, networking on a global scale, investment to the top three startups of the program, and partnership opportunities. They majorly assist businesses running under the niche of mobility, artificial intelligence, autonomous technologies, health tech, blockchain, fintech, and data.

Apply to Take Off Istanbul, or learn more ➜

meet the author

Pat Walls

I'm Pat Walls and I created Starter Story - a website dedicated to helping people start businesses. We interview entrepreneurs from around the world about how they started and grew their businesses.

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