By Zeynep Duyar and Emir Yildirim
ANKARA (AA) — Türkiye is implementing new strategies to become a global hub for tech entrepreneurs, with the goal of increasing the number of companies holding the country's Techno-Entrepreneurship Badge, Tech Visa, and Turcorn programs.
The 2026 budget bill outlines a strategy to boost Türkiye’s science, technology, and innovation capacity through cooperation projects, research and development (R&D), and innovation support, intending to create a tech entrepreneurship ecosystem with high competitiveness in the global arena.
The country is preparing tech roadmaps to implement the National Technology Initiative strategy plan.
Various mechanisms are being enabled in a wide range of fields. The number of startups receiving the Techno-Entrepreneurship Badge is expected to grow from 1,000 to 5,000 next year, 10,000 in 2027, and 12,000 in 2028.
The number of firms operating in technology development zones is planned to rise from 12,250 this year to 13,250 in 2026, 14,500 in 2027, and 15,500 in 2028, while the number of projects to be completed will rise to 7,000 next year, 7,200 in 2027, and 7,500 in 2028.
High-speed charging stations for electric vehicles (EVs) will increase to 250 next year under a product investment support program.
The number of startups accepted into the Turcorn 100 program, which provides tailored support to Turcorns (or Turkish unicorns, which are startups with a market value of $1 billion and more), stands at 40 this year, but the number is expected to rise to 80 in 2026, 120 in 2027, and 160 in 2028.
The Türkiye Tech Visa program is designed for tech-focused startups with innovative business models. The number of startups under this program is projected to reach 75 next year, 100 in 2027, and 125 in 2028.
Industrial cooperation and R&D projects are also planned to boost Türkiye’s science, tech, and innovation capacity.
The number of R&D workers will rise to 4,000 over the next three years with support programs—the number of active R&D centers stands at 1,360 this year, but this figure is planned to increase to 1,420 next year, 1,458 in 2027, and 1,555 in 2028.
Over the same four years, the number of design centers is expected to rise to 424, while there will be some 108 technology development zones.