Best KOSGEB Support Tools in Turkey (2025)

Explore KOSGEB support tools in the Turkish startup ecosystem with a 2025 Turkey tech lens, Product-Tower discovery tips, and practical selection guidance.

## What Is KOSGEB and Why Does It Matter for Your Startup? KOSGEB (Small and Medium Enterprises Development Organization of Turkey) is Turkey's primary government body for small business support. For international founders setting up in Turkey, or Turkish diaspora entrepreneurs returning to launch ventures, KOSGEB represents one of the most accessible early-stage funding mechanisms available — provided you know how to navigate it. This guide explains the main programs, eligibility basics, grant amounts, and how KOSGEB fits alongside other funding sources in 2025. ## Who Qualifies? KOSGEB supports businesses that meet the SME definition under Turkish law: fewer than 250 employees and annual turnover below a defined threshold. For startups, the relevant cutoffs are generous — virtually any early-stage company qualifies on size. The harder requirements are: - Registered with the Turkish Trade Registry (Ticaret Sicili) - Active SGK (Social Security Institution) registration - No outstanding public debt - Enrolled in the KOSGEB database Note: KOSGEB is for companies with a Turkish legal entity. If you're operating through a foreign holding with a Turkish subsidiary, the Turkish entity is what registers and applies. ## Key Programs and Grant Amounts **Entrepreneurship Support Program (Girişimcilik Destek Programı)** Designed for new businesses (typically under 1-2 years old). Requires completion of a KOSGEB-certified entrepreneurship training course (approximately 70 hours). After completing training, founders can apply for a support package covering business setup costs, equipment, software licenses, and promotional activities. The package includes a non-refundable grant component and a low/no-interest loan component. Total support can reach 150,000-300,000 TL depending on the current program iteration. **KOBİGEL (SME Development Support Program)** Project-based, call-driven program. When a call is open (check KOSGEB's official portal for active calls), companies submit project proposals in defined priority areas: manufacturing, digital transformation, exports, or technology. Grant amounts are higher — projects can receive several hundred thousand TL in non-refundable support plus soft loans. This is the program most comparable to EU structural fund grants in format. **R&D and Innovation Support Program** For companies running documented research and development activities. Unlike TÜBİTAK programs, you don't need a Ministry-certified R&D center, but you need a clearly scoped project with measurable outputs. Supports personnel costs, equipment, and IP registration. **SME Development Support (İşletme Geliştirme)** Covers training, consulting, domestic fairs, international promotion, and quality certifications. Useful for companies past the initial phase wanting to formalize operations or enter export markets. ## Application Process Overview 1. Register with KOSGEB database (required before any application) 2. Complete entrepreneurship training if applying for the Entrepreneurship program 3. Identify the correct program and check for active call periods 4. Prepare a business plan using KOSGEB's official template — generic business plans will not work 5. Compile required documents: tax registration, trade registry, financial statements, lease agreement, signature circular 6. Submit via the KOSGEB online portal 7. Await evaluation — may include an in-person or remote assessment by a KOSGEB specialist ## Timeline Expectations From application submission to approval decision: expect 2-6 months depending on program and application volume. KOBİGEL calls tend to have longer evaluation cycles due to competitive ranking. Budget for this delay in your funding runway planning. ## Using KOSGEB Alongside Other Funding KOSGEB and TÜBİTAK support cannot be applied to the same project simultaneously, but can be sequenced: KOSGEB for initial setup and market validation, TÜBİTAK for deeper R&D phases. Companies in Teknopark zones also benefit from corporate tax exemptions on qualifying R&D revenues independent of KOSGEB grants. When building a pitch deck, KOSGEB approval serves as a credibility signal — it indicates that a government body has reviewed and validated the business concept. Combined with traction data from platforms like Product-Tower (upvotes, user engagement, category rankings), KOSGEB approval strengthens the evidence base for early-stage fundraising conversations with angels or seed funds. ## Common Pitfalls for International Founders The business plan template is highly specific. Founders who submit general plans rather than using KOSGEB's actual template are frequently rejected at the first screening. Each section — market analysis, competitive landscape, financial projections, project rationale — needs to be completed with Turkish market-specific data, not global approximations. Cash payments are not reimbursable. All supported expenditures must be processed through bank transfers with corresponding invoices. This is a hard rule. ## FAQ Can foreign-owned Turkish companies apply for KOSGEB? Yes. Eligibility is based on the Turkish legal entity's characteristics, not the ownership structure. A Turkish limited company (limited şirketi) or joint-stock company (anonim şirket) with foreign shareholders can apply if it meets SME criteria. Are KOSGEB grants taxable? Non-refundable KOSGEB grants are generally treated as revenue for tax purposes, though specific treatment depends on the program type and how funds are classified in accounting. Consult a Turkish CPA (SMMM) for your specific situation. How does KOSGEB compare to EU grants? KOSGEB programs are smaller in absolute grant size than major EU Horizon grants but significantly faster and less bureaucratic to apply for. They are best understood as early-stage bridge support rather than a replacement for equity or larger R&D grants.