İTÜ Çekirdek Incubation Center

Established in 2011 with the visionary approach of İTÜ and İTÜ ARI Teknokent, İTÜ Çekirdek Incubation Center has aimed since its foundation to support technology ventures from different sectors, helping them become fast-growing startups with scalable business models.

Celebrating its 10th year and ranked the number one university-linked incubation center in the world by UBI Global, İTÜ Çekirdek provides technology entrepreneurs at different stages with inspiration and contributes to their market success. It offers entrepreneurs all the support they need in their journey—such as training, consultancy, mentorship, networking, corporate partnerships, media & PR support, and funding—under one roof.

By building partnerships with corporate firms, investment networks, and professionals that can benefit startups, İTÜ Çekirdek Incubation Center creates a wide platform where institutions and startups can come together for collaboration or customer relations, while also granting investors access to its pool of ventures.

As one of the region’s most important entrepreneurship centers, İTÜ Çekirdek continues to provide more opportunities and support to more entrepreneurs every year with the contributions of more than 120 valuable corporate partners—including the Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EPDK), Electricity Distribution Services Association (ELDER), Automotive Exporters’ Association (OIB), Elginkan Foundation, Agesa, Eczacıbaşı, Enerjisa, Pegasus, and Yandex—and over 80 investment networks/investor partners.

To date, İTÜ Çekirdek has received more than 75,000 applications from over 35 countries worldwide and from all 81 provinces of Turkey, supporting more than 5,000 startups and 12,000 entrepreneurs. It has accompanied hundreds of entrepreneurs on their journeys, witnessing their success stories. Out of the startups it has supported, 1,900 have incorporated into companies, reaching a valuation exceeding $3 billion, raising over $300 million in investment, and generating more than $300 million in revenue.

Startups accepted to İTÜ Çekirdek Incubation Center gain the right to benefit from different programs: Acceleration, ITU SEED, Growth, BiGG İTÜ Çekirdek, Innogate, and the Big Bang Startup Challenge.