GITEX Türkiye 2026 | Global AI, Tech & Investment Event in Istanbul
Türkiye is positioning itself as a regional entrepreneurship hub, rolling out policies designed to attract global capital and talent to its thriving tech startup ecosystem.
Speaking on the sidelines of GITEX AI Europe 2026 in Berlin, Ahmet Burak Dağlıoğlu, Head of Türkiye's Investment and Finance Office, outlined the nation's ambitious plans to strengthen its startup landscape. The prestigious GITEX event—one of the world's largest technology gatherings—offers a prime opportunity for Turkish companies to showcase their innovations under the national pavilion.
The Berlin event serves as a prelude to Türkiye's own hosting of the GITEX AI fair this September. “In collaboration with the Ministry of Industry and Technology, we are preparing for this major gathering,” Dağlıoğlu stated. “We will present Türkiye's robust infrastructure and future goals to participants from around the world on the main stage, while launching the Turkish branch of the GITEX brand.”
“Our aim is to connect AI and tech entrepreneurs in Türkiye with potential investors and customers on global platforms, and to attract more international investors to the country,” he added.
Dağlıoğlu noted that tech entrepreneurs from diverse regions—including Eastern Europe, Central Asia, North Africa, Pakistan, and Bangladesh—are increasingly choosing Türkiye as a base for growth and investment.
“Under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's investment promotion program, we are advancing our country as a powerhouse for global investments,” he said. “Tech startups remain one of the most important priorities, supported through decisive policies to attract investors, capital, and global talent in the coming period.”
He distinguished between Türkiye's premier tech event, Teknofest, which hosts millions and holds a top-tier global position, and GITEX, which focuses more on a commercial AI business platform for tech startups. “We will see powerful global firms, corporate entities, tech entrepreneurs, and international AI investors at our September event, which is expected to be a turning point for the Turkish ecosystem,” Dağlıoğlu emphasized.
One of Türkiye's key advantages, according to Dağlıoğlu, is its flexible and attractive working environment compared to Europe's more rigid bureaucratic processes. “Our industrial diversity, speed, and flexibility set Türkiye apart. These are vital for hardware-based technologies,” he noted. “While entrepreneurs in Europe face massive challenges in manufacturing or commercializing their tech products, we emphasize our industrial diversity to all tech entrepreneurs—regardless of nationality—telling them they can grow by expanding from here to the global market.”
Dağlıoğlu also announced that investment funds focused on Türkiye have grown by $2 billion in recent years, with capital set to be deployed over the next three to five years—addressing a critical funding need for startups.
Currently, GITEX AI Europe 2026 is hosting over 800 participants from 80 countries in Berlin from June 30 to July 1. Türkiye is represented by a pavilion under the Investment and Finance Office, bringing together domestic firms developing AI-powered e-commerce, predictive analytics, weather intelligence, and digital transformation solutions—connecting them with international investors and stakeholders in the innovation ecosystem.
