T3 STARTUP CENTER

TEKNOFEST Startup Program 2026

Questions every Business

About the TEKNOFEST Startup Program

We believe that the implementation of the National Technology Initiative is critically important for Turkey to more strongly present its vision of a just world, increase its economic power, and ensure its full independence in strategic areas.

In line with this vision, the TEKNOFEST Startup Program, implemented under the leadership of the T3 Startup Center, aims to transform the projects of entrepreneurs with technology-oriented and scalable business ideas into sustainable, competitive, and rapidly commercially valuable assets.

The program is specifically designed for teams and team members who have applied to the TEKNOFEST technology competitions, and aims to transform high-potential projects that emerge during the competition process into startups, help them grow, and expand into global markets.

Since 2022, the program has provided a total of 13 million TL in financial support to 50 graduate startups.

In addition to financial support, startups participating in the program are offered 11 different support mechanisms, ranging from entrepreneurship training and mentorship support to office and patent support, and investor and collaboration meetings.

Opportunities Provided Within the Program

1. Entrepreneurship Training

  • To support startups in the process of transforming a business idea into a scalable model, comprehensive training and practical workshops are offered in areas such as idea validation, business model development, product development, brand management, marketing, customer development, financial planning, and market analysis.

2. Mentorship Support

  • Startups receive one-on-one mentorship support from a pool of expert mentors in technical, product, finance, legal, and business development fields, tailored to their needs. The mentorship process is conducted with a regular follow-up mechanism in line with the defined goals.

3. Office and Workspace Support

  • Startups in need are offered workspace and office use in our centers located on both the European and Anatolian sides of Istanbul. Office Spaces:
  • T3 Foundation Ünalan Headquarters Building - T3 Startup Center Floor
  • Özdemir Bayraktar Prototyping Center - T3 Startup Center Floor (İTÜ Ayazağa)

4. Financial Support and Investment Opportunities

  • Teams that successfully complete the TEKNOFEST Startup Program 2026 - 3rd Term Pre-Incubation will receive up to 100,000 TL in material support, if deemed appropriate by the Evaluation Board.
  • Startups that successfully complete the TEKNOFEST Startup Program 2026 - 3rd Term Pre-Incubation and incorporate during or after the program will receive an investment of 500,000 TL, if deemed appropriate by the Evaluation Board.
  • Teams that successfully complete the TEKNOFEST Startup Program 2026 - 5th Term Acceleration will receive an investment of 1,000,000 TL, if deemed appropriate by the Evaluation Board.

These supports aim to accelerate the processes of product development, market entry, scaling, and expansion into global markets for startups.

5. Promotion and Visibility Support

  • The success stories of startups are shared with social media and the press. The brand awareness and ecosystem visibility of startups are increased.

6. TEKNOFEST Startup Show Day (Demoday)

  • Within the scope of TEKNOFEST Startup Show Day (Demoday), startups have the opportunity to present and set up stands in front of investors, stakeholder institutions, and visitors.

7. Inspiration Meetings

  • Entrepreneurs have the opportunity to meet with successful founders, technology leaders, and industry professionals to share experiences and gain strategic perspectives.

8. Right to Participate in the Take Off Startup Summit

  • Startups gain the right to participate in the Take Off Startup Summit, which offers the opportunity to meet with international investors and institutions.

9. Support Packages

  • Within the scope of the program, startups are provided with free or discounted access to various digital tools, software infrastructures, and services they may need to reduce their operational costs and support their rapid scaling. 

10. Investor Meetings

  • Throughout the program, startups have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with angel investors, venture capital funds, and institutional investors.

11. Collaboration Meetings

  • Startups participate in meetings that can create collaboration opportunities with industry representatives, corporate firms, and public institutions.

3rd Term Pre-Incubation

The program is designed for teams or team members who have applied to TEKNOFEST competitions, with the following objectives:

- To enhance their startup capabilities,
- To transform their TEKNOFEST projects or other projects into commercial products,
- To establish and scale technology startups with global competitiveness.

Teams that successfully complete the program and are in need will receive material support of up to 100,000 TL, subject to approval by the Evaluation Board. Incorporated startups selected for the program, whether incorporated during or after the program, will receive an investment of 500,000 TL, also subject to approval by the Evaluation Board.

5th Term Acceleration

This program is designed for teams or team members who have applied to TEKNOFEST competitions and:

- Have established a company and are actively conducting R&D,
- Have launched their product or aim to advance it to the next stage.

Startups that successfully complete the program will receive an investment of 1,000,000 TL, subject to the approval of the Evaluation Board.