If AI is at the core of what you build, the AI Center of Excellence Open Call is for you.
Join one of Turkey’s most dynamic AI ecosystems and connect with corporate partners actively looking for AI solutions.
About
ITU ARI Teknokent
ITU ARI Teknokent has been empowering technology startups and companies since 2002 through a comprehensive innovation ecosystem that supports growth from idea stage to global expansion.
Home to ITU Çekirdek, recognized as the world’s best university incubation center, ITU ARI Teknokent provides entrepreneurs with access to mentorship, investment, corporate collaborations, internationalization programs, and technology commercialization support.
Through its integrated ecosystem and global partnerships, ITU ARI Teknokent continues to accelerate innovation and help startups scale internationally.
About
Plug and Play
Plug and Play is the world’s largest innovation platform, connecting startups, corporations, venture capital firms, universities, and government agencies. With offices in 60+ locations globally, Plug and Play has accelerated hundreds of companies, including Dropbox, PayPal, and N26. In Turkey, Plug and Play brings its global network and deep startup expertise to power local innovation ecosystems.
AI Center of Excellence (AI CoE) is one of Plug and Play’s global initiatives, exploring how AI is reshaping industries through collaboration between corporates, startups, and academia. In Turkey, AI CoE runs in partnership with ITU ARI Teknokent, connecting corporations with AI startups through roundtables, forums, and demo days.
OUR FOCUS AREAS
If AI is at the core of your solution, this program is for you.
We welcome startups from all industries and verticals — at any stage.
Industry Verticals
Finance & Fintech
We welcome startups from all industries and verticals — at any stage.
Supply Chain & Manufacturing
Intelligent logistics, demand forecasting, inventory optimization, and predictive maintenance
Agentic Operations
Autonomous AI agents that execute complex business workflows end-to-end
Sales, Marketing & e-Commerce
AI-powered lead generation, personalization, campaign optimization, e-commerce intelligence, and revenue growth
Legal & Compliance
Contract analysis, regulatory compliance, legal research, and risk assessment
Cybersecurity
Threat detection, anomaly detection, and automated response
Sustainability & Climate
Energy optimization, carbon tracking, and environmental monitoring
+and Any Other Vertical
STARTUPS
WE ARE
LOOKING FOR
Stage
Open to all stages - pre-seed to Series A and beyond
Product
A working product or prototype with a validated use case
AI-first
AI must be at the core of your solution - not a feature, but the foundation
Ambition
Strong drive to scale and collaborate with ecosystem partners
Geography
Open to startups from all regions
Enterprise Track Record
Demonstrated experience working with or selling to enterprise clients
PROGRAM BENEFITS
ITU ARI Teknokent & ITU Çekirdek Ecosystem Access
Dedicated Workspace at ITU Çekirdek
PoC and Business Development Opportunities with 200+ Global and Local Corporate Partners
Patent and Intellectual Property Support
Access to a Network of 500+ Mentors
R&D Grant Funding
60+ Exclusive Startup Perks (CRM, Cloud Services, Sales, Marketing, Software, and More)
Investor Demo Days
Entrepreneurship Curriculum Adapted from Stanford and UC Berkeley
Access to a Network of 90+ VCs, CVCs, and Angel Investors
Office Hours and One-on-One Investor Meetings
Industrial Design and Prototyping Support
Access to Laboratories and Technical Infrastructure
Access to a Dedicated ₺20 Million Cash Grant Pool at the Big Bang Startup Challenge
Opportunities within the PNP Ecosystem
Listing PNP’s Global Startup Database
Get added to Playbook, Plug and Play’s startup scouting tool used by our global team and 550+ corporate partners to discover and evaluate startups. Being on Playbook means you’re not waiting to be found - you’re already in the room.
Investment Opportunity
For startups that demonstrate exceptional potential, the program opens the door to investment conversations with Plug and Play’s global investor network.
Business Development Opportunities with AI CoE Partners
Selected startups are introduced to the AI CoE’s partner network - corporates, research institutions, and investors actively looking for AI solutions to collaborate on and integrate into their operations.
Pitching Opportunity at the AI COE Events
Selected startups are invited to exclusive AI CoE events - including roundtables, demo days, and networking sessions - where they pitch and connect directly with corporate decision-makers and partners.
AI CoE Elite List
Selected startups are introduced to the AI CoE’s partner network - corporates, research institutions, and investors actively looking for AI solutions to collaborate on and integrate into their operations.
HOW IT WORKS
Ready to Build the Future of AI Together?
This is not just an open call. It’s an invitation to become a long-term partner in one of the most ambitious AI ecosystems in the region.
Applications are open until December, 2026.
