Key Takeaways
- • Türkiye's government plans to allocate $150 million in public funding to AI-focused venture capital funds as part of a comprehensive AI Action Plan for 2026-2030, positioning the country as a global AI hub.
- • Public fund-of-funds mechanisms have already mobilized $2.8 billion for the startup ecosystem, with an additional $300 million allocation to venture capital funds expected to generate over $750 million in sector investment.
- • The HIT-30 programme, a $30 billion support initiative, includes a $1.6 billion dedicated call for AI projects to accelerate digital transformation across the economy.
- • By 2030, Türkiye targets expanding data centre capacity to one gigawatt and attracting at least $10 billion in private investment in cloud technologies and digital infrastructure.
- • The government is converting the former Istanbul Ataturk Airport terminal into the world's largest startup hub and aims to establish 100,000 technology startups, building on its existing base of eight unicorns and 13,000 supported companies across 115 technoparks.
Summary
Türkiye is launching an ambitious national strategy to establish itself as a leading global artificial intelligence hub through substantial public investment and structural support mechanisms. Industry and Technology Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacir announced the initiative at the GITEX AI Türkiye event in Istanbul on September 10, 2026, detailing a comprehensive AI Action Plan spanning 2026-2030.
The government's investment architecture combines direct public funding with mechanisms designed to leverage private capital. Türkiye will allocate $150 million in public funding specifically to AI-focused venture capital funds, complementing broader support structures already in place. Public fund-of-funds mechanisms have previously mobilized $2.8 billion for the startup ecosystem, with a recently announced $300 million allocation to venture capital funds projected to attract over $750 million in additional investment. The HIT-30 programme, a $30 billion support initiative, dedicates $1.6 billion specifically to AI projects aimed at accelerating digital transformation.
The infrastructure targets are substantial. By 2030, Türkiye aims to expand data centre capacity to one gigawatt and mobilise at least $10 billion in private investment in cloud technologies and digital infrastructure. Additionally, the government plans to allocate at least 2 percent of all public investment programmes to AI projects, embedding AI investment across the broader economy. A signature initiative involves converting the former Istanbul Ataturk Airport terminal into what Kacir described as the world's largest startup hub, intended to strengthen Istanbul's position as an international technology centre.
Türkiye's existing technology ecosystem provides a foundation for this expansion. The country currently operates 1,700 research and development centres and supports over 13,000 companies across 115 technoparks. The nation has generated eight unicorns, referred to domestically as "Turcorns," and has set an ambitious goal of establishing 100,000 technology startups. These metrics underscore both the scale of existing activity and the government's intent to substantially expand the innovation economy.
The government's investment architecture combines direct public funding with mechanisms designed to leverage private capital. Türkiye will allocate $150 million in public funding specifically to AI-focused venture capital funds, complementing broader support structures already in place. Public fund-of-funds mechanisms have previously mobilized $2.8 billion for the startup ecosystem, with a recently announced $300 million allocation to venture capital funds projected to attract over $750 million in additional investment. The HIT-30 programme, a $30 billion support initiative, dedicates $1.6 billion specifically to AI projects aimed at accelerating digital transformation.
The infrastructure targets are substantial. By 2030, Türkiye aims to expand data centre capacity to one gigawatt and mobilise at least $10 billion in private investment in cloud technologies and digital infrastructure. Additionally, the government plans to allocate at least 2 percent of all public investment programmes to AI projects, embedding AI investment across the broader economy. A signature initiative involves converting the former Istanbul Ataturk Airport terminal into what Kacir described as the world's largest startup hub, intended to strengthen Istanbul's position as an international technology centre.
Türkiye's existing technology ecosystem provides a foundation for this expansion. The country currently operates 1,700 research and development centres and supports over 13,000 companies across 115 technoparks. The nation has generated eight unicorns, referred to domestically as "Turcorns," and has set an ambitious goal of establishing 100,000 technology startups. These metrics underscore both the scale of existing activity and the government's intent to substantially expand the innovation economy.
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