• Genel

Türkiye’s entrepreneurial ecosystem is growing rapidly. Investments in Turkish startups increased by 423% to 2.6 billion in 2024. This growth occurred despite the global slowdown. Overall, Türkiye has produced six unicorns in the last few years. Two of them exceeded the $10 billion valuation and became “ten corns.” Despite this, Türkiye continues to exist for many investors despite a hidden gem.

Let’s take a look at the key results that make Türkiye so enduring for angels.

A Young and Dynamic Population

Türkiye is one of the youngest countries in Europe with a population of approximately 85 million and an average age of 34. 45% of the population is under the age of 30. This means great potential for entrepreneurship. At the same time, Türkiye has a structure that adapts quickly to technology with nearly 90 million digital banking users.

This young, educated and digitalized population offers a rich pool of software developers, engineers and first-time founders.

Strategically Located

Türkiye is located at the intersection of Europe, Asia and the Middle East. It is possible to reach a market of 1.3 billion people with a 3-4 hour flight from Istanbul. This wide market network allows enterprises to easily expand both to the West and the East.

Moreover, Turkish Airlines flies to 121 countries. The new Istanbul Airport is a candidate to be one of the busiest airports in the world. These geographical advantages make Turkey an ideal base for regional expansion.

Rising Sectors: Fintech and Health Technologies

There are currently more than 660 active fintech companies in Türkiye. Digital payments, blockchain, crypto and digital wallets are rapidly spreading. Moreover, Türkiye’s fintech regulations are quite close to EU standards. Various incentives are also offered for investors. Fintech was again the sector that received the most investment in 2024.

Health technologies are also on the rise. Türkiye’s strong health infrastructure and competent physician staff provide a solid foundation for health startups. Health startups received approximately $400 million in investments in 2024. Areas such as biotechnology and artificial intelligence-assisted diagnosis are at the forefront.

Cities Full of Innovation Centers

• Istanbul: Türkiye’s entrepreneurship center. It stands out with its population of 16 million, talent pool and global connections. According to Startup Genome 2024, Istanbul ranks 13th among the rising startup centers in the world.
• Ankara: It draws attention with its engineering and research-oriented structure. It has a strong ecosystem in software, defense industry and deep technology startups thanks to universities and technoparks.
• Izmir: A new center that stands out in areas such as agricultural technologies, clean energy and logistics. It offers an attractive alternative for entrepreneurs with its quality of life and young population.
• Regional Centers: Innovation is also spreading in cities such as Bursa, Antalya and Gaziantep thanks to technoparks. There are more than 60 technoparks throughout Türkiye.