Teknopark is the name given to the regions consisting of buildings with scientific or industrial research for commercial purposes. Teknoparks are encouraged by the state or local administrations because they accelerate technological development, contribute to the development of value-added products that will increase exports, create employment, entrepreneurship and innovation-oriented activities.
The establishment of Teknopark Istanbul is based on the decisions of the Defense Industry Executive Committee (SSİK), dated 8 October 1987. It was designed as an essential pillar of a large project called ITEP (Advanced Technology Industrial Park and Airport Project) which is carried out by the Undersecretariat for Defense Industries on the Anatolian side of Istanbul, including the dimensions of industrial support, research, and development, science and technology, education/training.
With the decision of the Council of Ministers dated April 20, 1988, a land area of 13 million m² was expropriated in Pendik Kurtköy for the purposes of ITEP; approximately 2.5 million square meters of land in this area has been reserved for Teknopark Istanbul for creating a base that contributes to the development of capacity and high technology by the domestic and foreign entrepreneurs in Turkey.
In line with this goal, Undersecretariat for Defense Industries, the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, the Istanbul Commerce University and Airport Operation and Aviation Industries Inc signed a letter of intent on 12 February 2009, the works for creating the largest Teknopark in Turkey and in the region.
Teknopark Istanbul was established on May 4, 2010.
Real and legal persons carrying out R&D activities specified in Law 4691 may apply to Teknopark Istanbul. Apart from these, organizations that can provide support and consultancy services to the companies in the Teknopark (banks, cargo, financial consultancy, law offices, etc.) can also be included in the Teknopark, but companies providing support and consultancy services cannot benefit from the incentives provided by law no. 4691.
The applications made to Teknopark Istanbul are evaluated by the R&D Projescts Evaluation Advisory Board, applications are charged as 2000 TRY.
According to the needs of the companies in Teknopark Istanbul, it is possible to rent office spaces ranging from 20 m² to 2 thousand m². It is calculated as a minimum of 8 square meters per person. The project of the Teknopark campus is sent to the institutions, whose application is approved and the internal renovations are directed in line with the demands of the institution.
In Teknopark Istanbul, rental fees are paid monthly according to the rental determined per m2. The fee is updated every year depending on the inflation rate.
In addition, common area expenses including service items such as security, lighting, landscaping, technical facility and cleaning are also taken monthly according to the m2. Other expenses such as electricity, heating, water, etc. are also charged depending on the usage.
The infrastructure works and gallery system of Teknopark Istanbul has been completed and it is possible to rent land on the designated parcels and to build the building of the companies.
While it is possible to produce high-tech products that can benefit from the incentives in the law in the region, declared within the scope of Law No. 4691 in Teknopark, it is planned to establish larger R&D centers and chimneyless/light manufacturing facilities in an adjacent area of approximately 20 hectares.
Applications are made via www.teknoparkistanbul.com.tr while applications for office and land allocations are processed by our Corporate Communication Department and made by the Board of Directors after the recommendation of the Science-Technology Advisory and Evaluation Board (BTDK).
The applications of the companies completing and confirming the application and project forms in the application system are evaluated according to the following criteria: whether the projects are included in the focus technologies (Aviation, Maritime, Defense Industry, Energy, Health Sciences, Advanced Materials, Advanced Electronics, and Industrial Software) of Teknopark Istanbul, export potential, employment of postgraduate personnel, the number of patents received/applied, the entitlement to receive national and international financial support programs, the cooperation between university-industry and industry-industry, the number of scientific publications, articles and reports describing R&D activities and total quality management related documents.
Scientific Technology and Advisory Board evaluates the activities of the companies applying for a place in Teknopark, after the preliminary evaluation of Teknopark Istanbul A.Ş. When Teknopark Istanbul A.Ş. Board of Directors approves the institutions and organizations, whose application is deemed appropriate, the lease agreement is signed and they may start their activities in Teknopark İstanbul A.Ş.
While the new applicants are accepted, the approved companies are directed to the appropriate vacant offices.
Incubation Center is the first stop for those, who want to start their own business. In the center, free offices, technical infrastructure, financial consultancy and marketing support are provided to newly established companies or idea/project owners holding R&D characteristics in our prioritized areas.
Its purpose is to establish a system where the companies/project owners can grow successful businesses and contribute to the national economy after graduation. Easily marketable companies/projects that have high R&D quality, employing high-quality human resources and having the potential to create synergies in incubation are accepted.
Teknopark Istanbul's principal areas are Aviation and Space, Maritime, Defense Industry, Energy, Health Sciences, Advanced Materials, Advanced Electronics, and Industrial Software sectors.
In order to increase the competitiveness and efficiency of the Turkish industry, we need more structures that are focused on the subject, have a qualified workforce, can produce high-tech products with unity, sell them in the international arena, and support national and regional initiatives and structures.
Apart from the tax incentives and exemptions brought by the law numbered 4691, our companies are supported in matters of business matching, sectoral clusters, free incubation center access, access to working capital fund, business development consultancy, legal consultancy on intellectual property rights, partner and GMP laboratory. Therefore, all stakeholders in the R&D ecosystem will be able to find an interesting part in Teknopark Istanbul.
Although Teknopark Istanbul is a techno park established under the partnership of the Undersecretariat for Defense Industries and the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, it embraces the entire R&D ecosystem and adopts a pluralistic approach with the mission of bringing together all universities and industrial institutions in our country.
Consequently, managers of all R&D companies, whether they are located in Teknopark Istanbul or not, can increase their cooperation by participating in the events we organize for our companies. We believe that this situation will further strengthen our companies via Teknopark Istanbul.
If we want to increase the share allocated to R&D in Turkey's GDP to 3%, we believe that it is necessary for our country to mediate collaboration before the competition. Accordingly, there is a Conference Room for 160 people besides many meeting rooms, in the first blocks of Teknopark Istanbul. It is possible that people outside the campus participate to many organizations that are regularly held.
You can be informed about the related activities and trainings by registering via e-mail on our website. It is expected that the number of activities and trainings will increase rapidly as 6 universities, which have decided to accept their admission from Teknopark Istanbul Board of Directors to open their own Centers of Excellence, are settled in the campus.
Teknopark Istanbul has full membership in global organizations called IASP (International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation) and ASPA (Asian Science Parks Association) on an international scale.
In addition, by bilateral agreements with techno parks in Europe, North America, and Asia, it is anticipated to provide free office space for a certain time as well as all administrative and technological infrastructure services.
For now, we serve our companies that want to access the markets of Germany, Switzerland, the USA, Malaysia, and South Korea, however, this number will increase continuously according to expectations and needs. At the same time, sectoral cooperation days with international companies are provided free of charge.
You can apply to our Business Coordination Office for reservations.
You can apply to our Business Coordinator for personnel service and catering services.
You can ask the questions about invoicing to our Technical Coordinatorship.
You can get support from our R&D Activities Monitoring Department on issues related to your exemptions.
You can contact our Technology Transfer Office regarding this issue.