By Thierry DIME – Le Monde Economique
For several years now, Istanbul has been making waves in innovation circles. In 2025, the Turkish metropolis reaches a decisive milestone with the opening of Terminal Istanbul, a gigantic technopark built on the former terminals of Atatürk Airport. Presented as the world’s largest center dedicated to technology startups, this project embodies Turkey’s ambition to position Istanbul as an innovation hub between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. But behind the impressive figures and enthusiastic speeches, one question remains: can Istanbul truly become a Silicon Valley between East and West?
The Terminal Istanbul project, supported by the Turkish Ministry of Industry and Technology, plans to host more than 2,000 startups across 138,600 square meters. This technopark will offer modern offices, incubators, accelerators, R&D laboratories, and coworking spaces. The objective is clear: to attract talent, investors, and entrepreneurs from around the world, capitalizing on Istanbul’s unique geographical position and the country’s demographic dynamics. According to Startup Genome’s 2024 report, Istanbul’s technology ecosystem has experienced tremendous growth, with a 423% increase in venture capital funding in one year. The city is now ranked third among emerging global ecosystems and thirteenth globally.
This rise is based on several key factors. First, a large, educated, and tech-savvy youth population: over 50% of Turkey’s population is under 30 years old. Second, proactive public policies, such as the Türkiye Tech Visa, which facilitates the installation of foreign talent. Finally, a clear determination to build bridges between European, Asian, and Gulf markets, leveraging the city’s logistics and digital infrastructure.
However, this momentum should not obscure the structural weaknesses of the Turkish model. The macroeconomic context remains unstable, marked by high inflation and dependence on foreign capital. These factors can hinder Istanbul’s attractiveness to international investors, particularly those seeking regulatory and tax stability. From a geopolitical perspective, Istanbul’s position is a double-edged sword. While its location makes it a natural crossroads between continents, it also exposes it to regional turbulence. Fluctuating relations with the European Union, the United States, Russia, or Gulf countries can impact investment flows and technological partnerships. Moreover, Turkey’s stated desire to play a mediating role between competing blocs gives it a unique strategic position in sensitive areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, or dual-use technologies. By cultivating cross-cutting partnerships and fostering dialogue between technological powers, Istanbul can become a catalyst for collaborative initiatives, helping to defuse tensions and promote responsible innovation on an international scale.
From a strategic perspective, Istanbul now has all the ingredients to reach a new level: generating unicorns, structuring centers of excellence, and weaving lasting synergies between research, industry, and capital. The successes already achieved in gaming, fintech, and data analytics demonstrate fertile ground, driven by bold youth and proactive policies. While the ecosystem remains young, it is driven by remarkable energy and a determination to build solid foundations. The shift from an attraction strategy to a consolidation strategy is underway, with the emergence of technology clusters, ambitious university hubs, and specialized investment funds. Istanbul is no longer content with just attracting: it is beginning to shine. For visionary investors, now is the time to join the movement, contribute to this momentum, and reap the rewards, because what is being built today on the shores of the Bosphorus could well redraw the maps of global innovation tomorrow.
