Turkey is a country highly preferred by startup companies and tech companies from all over the region. In the first quarter of 2022 only, startups in Turkey received around 1,25 billion dollars of investment. With this achievement, Turkey joined the same league as England, France, and Germany on a quarterly basis.

Startups, R&D companies, and tech companies may enjoy a lot of advantages and government incentives in Turkey.

As a company, you can apply for one of the approximately 90 technoparks scattered all around Turkey, some of which are still in development.

Technoparks, being special zones established in cooperation with or by Turkish universities, provide a lot of practical, legal and taxative benefits to their residents

In order to be a resident of a Turkish technopark, the applicant (regardless of whether it is a company or a natural person), should propose a commercializable R&D or design project with a time plan and a budget. Once admitted, the applicant can fully benefit from all the benefits of being in a technopark.

TAX-RELATED BENEFITS

Companies in technoparks benefit from a range of tax exemptions or reliefs based on various factors. Although some of these benefits have an expiration limit (e.g. 31/12/2028), these time limits are highly likely to be extended.

Corporate Tax Exemption

Companies found in technoparks are exempt from the corporate tax of %23 on their earnings accrued from their software, design, R&D related operations in the region for five years which can be ten years for certain technological fields.

VAT Exemption on Service and Product Deliveries

Deliveries and services of software within the scope of system management, data management, business applications, sectoral, internet, mobile, military applications etc. produced in technoparks are exempt from value added tax of 18% if not mass produced. Games even if mass produced will still be exempt from the VAT.

Income Tax Exemption for Employees

The income of R&D, design and support personnel working in a technopark are exempt from income tax, stamp duty and any other tax.

In order for the support personnel to benefit from this exemption, their percentage should not exceed 10% the number of R&D and design personnel.

Likewise, enough office space should be rented to benefit from these perks.

Social Security Premiums Exemption for Employees

The social security premiums of the employees working in a technopark are partially covered by the government.

In order to benefit from the income tax exemption and social security premiums exemption, the employees should physically spend at least 90 hours per month in a technopark.

PRACTICAL BENEFITS

All technoparks in addition to their tax-related benefits, provide a range of practical benefits as well. Although the scope and quality of these benefits may differ from one technopark to another, below are some of the most common benefits the technoparks offer.

Office rooms for free or with affordable rents
Laboratories
Free mentorship in a wide range of fields
Free inhouse experts in a wide range of fields
Free training Networking events and meetings
Get-togethers with investors
Capacity to bring the resident companies with potential customers or partners

MAIN OBLIGATIONS OF THE TECHNOPARK COMPANIES

While technoparks provide a series of advantages for the companies, the companies are also expected to fulfill certain duties.

One of the major obligations are to fill up certain online monthly reports in relation to the progression of their R&D activities, their spendings and incomes. Depending on the size of the activities of the company or the number of R&D projects the company runs, filling up these forms can take between 10 mins to a couple of hours monthly. These duties can be delegated to an accountant/ financial advisor who is informed on the technopark legislation. As Sanap & Co., we would be happy to refer you to trusted accountants/ financial advisors who are knowledgeable about these procedures.

Although not necessary by law, certain technoparks can request stock option up to a certain ratio from early age startups and particularly from those who will benefit from their incubation centers.

Another major obligation for companies in technoparks whose exempted income exceed ₺1,000,000 annually is to invest 2% of this income into a venture capital fund established in Turkey or into a startup established in one of the Turkish incubation centers. The amount that must be invested within the scope of this obligation is limited to a maximum amount of ₺20,000,000.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Applications to technoparks are made online, although following admission, certain documents may be signed and submitted physically. Certain technoparks may also request an application fee.

In order for admission to a technopark, an R&D or design project should be planned and submitted. Following the submission of the online application, a jury consisting of academics review the application along with the pitch deck. Certain technoparks may as well request the presentation of the pitch deck in a physical or virtual environment.

A high majority of the technoparks across Turkey accept applications only in Turkish. Therefore, it is advised to seek counsel from an expert before making an application to a technopark.

As Sanap & Co., being the owner of our own technopark company Legaling, we can help your company’s incorporation in a Turkish technopark or relocate your company to a Turkish technopark from end to end using our wide network, first-hand experience and expertise.

Technoparks in<br>Turkey

</h2>

<thead>

<tr>

<th style="text-align:left; padding:10px 12px; font-size:22px; font-weight:700; color:#4a4f57; border-bottom:4px solid #111;">Operat. St.</th>

</tr>

</thead>

<tbody>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">METU Technocity Tech. Dev. Cent.</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Ankara</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Marmara Technocity</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Kocaeli</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Technopark Izmir</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Izmir</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">GOSB Technopark</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Kocaeli</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Bilkent Cyberpark</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Ankara</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Hacettepe Technopark</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Ankara</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">ITU Ari Technocity</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Istanbul</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Anadolu Technology Research Park</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Eskisehir</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Technocity Konya</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Konya</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Kocaeli Uni. Technopark</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Kocaeli</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Yildiz Technopark</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Istanbul</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Entertech Istanbul Technocity</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Istanbul</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Antalya Technocity</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Antalya</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Erciyes Technopark</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Kayseri</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Trabzon Technocity</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Trabzon</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Cukurova Technocity</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Adana</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Technoscope Mersin Technopark</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Mersin</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Lakes Region Technocity</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Isparta</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Ulutek Technopark</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Bursa</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Ata Technocity</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Erzurum</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Technopark Gaziantep</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Gaziantep</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Ankara Technocity</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Ankara</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Gazi Technopark</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Ankara</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Firat Technocity</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Elazig</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Pamukkale Technocity</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Denizli</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Cumhuriyet Technocity</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Sivas</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Dicle Technocity</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Diyarbakir</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Trakya Technopark</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Edirne</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Sakarya Technocity</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Sakarya</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Tokat Technopark</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Tokat</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">ASO Technopark</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Ankara</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Bolu Technocity</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Bolu</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Malatya Technocity</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Malatya</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Dumlupinar Design Technocity</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Kutahya</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Teknopark Istanbul</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Istanbul</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Samsun Technopark</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Samsun</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Duzce Technopark</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Duzce</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Sanliurfa Technocity</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Sanliurfa</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Technocity Maras</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Maras</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Namik Kemal Uni. Technopark</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Tekirdag</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Canakkale Technopark</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Canakkale</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">IT Valley</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Kocaeli</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Izmir Sciencepark</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Izmir</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Van Technocity</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Van</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Corum Technocity</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Corum</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Manisa Technocity</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Manisa</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Depark</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Izmir</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Bozok Technopark</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Yozgat</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Kirikkale Technopark</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Kirikkale</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Nigde Technopark</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Nigde</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">MAKU-BAKA Technocity</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Burdur</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Finance Technopark</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Istanbul</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">In Construction</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Marmara Uni. Technopark</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Istanbul</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Ege Technopark</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Izmir</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Technopark Ankara</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Ankara</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Ostim Technopark</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Ankara</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Technopark Hatay</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Hatay</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Technocity Balikesir</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Balikesir</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Karaman Technopark</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Karaman</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">In Construction</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Mugla Technopark</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Mugla</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Innopark</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Konya</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Zafer Technopark</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Afyon-Usak</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">ADU Technocity</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Aydin</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Gaziantep OSB Technocity</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Gaziantep</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Zonguldak Technopark</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Zonguldak</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Technocity Batman</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Batman</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">In Construction</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Osmaniye Technopark</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Osmaniye</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">In Construction</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Karabuk Technopark</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Karabuk</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Cappadocia Technopark</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Nevsehir</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">GTU Technopark</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Kocaeli</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Technopol Istanbul</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Istanbul</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">BUDOTEK Technopark</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Istanbul</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Antalya OSB Technopark</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Antalya</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">In Construction</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Zaim Technopark</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Istanbul</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">In Construction</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">IMU Technopark</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Istanbul</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">Operational</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Mersin Agropark</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Mersin</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">In Construction</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Kirklareli Technocity</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Kirklareli</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">In Construction</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Teknohab</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Ankara</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">In Construction</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Cankiri Technocity</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Cankiri</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">In Construction</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Kastamonu Technocity</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Kastamonu</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">In Construction</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Technopark ISTE</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Hatay</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">In Construction</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Giresun Technopark</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Giresun</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">In Construction</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Digitalpark</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Istanbul</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">In Construction</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">ASBU Sociocity</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Ankara</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">In Construction</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">BAU Technology Development Center</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Istanbul</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">In Construction</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Bursa Technopark</td><td style="padding:6px 12px; border-right:4px solid #111;">Bursa</td><td style="padding:6px 12px;">In Construction</td></tr>

</tbody>

</table>

</div>

</div>

Innovative Approach to Law

SEIS and EIS: A Guide to Attracting Investment For UK Businesses

Company Incorporation in the UK

Company Incorporation in Dubai

Perks of Being in a Turkish Technopark