KOSGEB Entrepreneur Support Program: business start-up support
Open for applicationsKOSGEB (Turkey's SME development agency)Last checked: October 1, 2026
For companies registered in Turkey
These programs are run by Turkish public institutions and are open only to businesses registered in Turkey.
Dollar amounts are approximate, converted at the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey (TCMB) rate of $1 = TRY 50.0724 on November 6, 2026.
Non-repayable start-up support and staff support for newly founded businesses. The only KOSGEB support that service businesses can also use, but only in the first year after founding.
Does it fit your business?
- Hotel and spaConditional
Only in the first year after founding. Hotels are on the list; the day spa class does not appear on it (a spa inside a hotel is assessed under the hotel's code).
- Restaurant and cafeConditional
Only in the first year after founding; restaurants are on the list.
- E-commerceConditional
Only in the first year after founding; retail via the internet is on the list.
- ManufacturingConditional
Only in the first year after founding.
Who can apply?
- Business start-up support must be applied for within one year of the founding date (Art. 5/6).[1]
- The business must be on KOSGEB's list of supported sectors (Art. 5/7). The list includes hotels and similar accommodation, restaurants, and retail sale via the internet.[1][2]
- Before applying, the entrepreneur must have completed KOSGEB's traditional entrepreneurship training (Art. 5/4).[1]
What does it cover?
- Start-up support (cash, non-repayable) and staff cost support. Not tied to spending on any specific digital tool or AI.[1]
How much?
- TRY 10,000 (≈ $200) for a sole proprietorship, TRY 20,000 (≈ $399) for a capital company; an additional TRY 10,000 (≈ $200) if the entrepreneur is young, a woman, a person with a disability, a veteran or a first-degree relative of a fallen service member (Art. 7).[1]
How to apply
- Business Start-up Support application form through the KOSGEB system (via e-Devlet, Turkey's e-government portal).[1]
Keep in mind
- Our noteThis is for new businesses, not for digitalizing an existing one. The amount is small; it does not cover the cost of an AI setup.
Not clear in the official documents
- Day spa / hammam / sauna activity (NACE 96.23) does not appear in the list text, and the official sources contain no separate written statement from KOSGEB. Before applying, look up your own NACE code in the list.
For businesses that may qualify for this support
Whether or not you get the support, these are the solutions we set up for businesses like yours:
Sources
- [1] Entrepreneur Support Program Directive (Rev. 14), Art. 5, 7 (July 5, 2026)
- [2] Sectors Supported by KOSGEB (NACE Rev. 2.1)
Sources were read from the program's official text on October 1, 2026. This page is not an eligibility decision; check the program's own page before applying.