Focus on Türkiye

Looking beyond borders

Another policy pillar is entrepreneurship and startups. “In Türkiye, we facilitate growth in this area and promote the emergence of a vibrant startup ecosystem where many young entrepreneurs and innovators focus on creating technology-driven solutions and thereby contribute to overall economic growth and job creation. Of course, the digital transformation is a kind of umbrella that covers various sectors, and the Turkish government has been actively promoting digital transformation in government services, healthcare, education and more. This emphasis on digitalisation further drives the demand for ICT services and solutions. Last, but not least, international competitiveness. As the global economy becomes more technology-driven, Türkiye has focused on developing its ICT sector to enhance the country’s competitiveness and international profile. It is also one of the key reasons for supporting ITEA projects. We want companies to look beyond and be active in the ecosystem with the big players, with SMEs and other players in a wider context.”

National priorities

As for Türkiye’s software innovation priorities, the parallels with ITEA are evident. But, as Ayda explains, green and digital technologies are key. Ayda: “We have defined six technology roadmaps: AI, advanced materials, big data, cloud computing, motor technologies, cybersecurity and biotechnology/pharmaceuticals. Compliance with EU green digital and adaptation to climate change are not only national priorities but are, of course, global priorities. There are actually 264 national priority topics, half of which are in digital technologies and a quarter in green technologies. I think this is a very good example of how our priorities match with those of the ITEA Cluster.” Innovative and groundbreaking technological solutions have been classified under five themes: (1) climate change environment and biodiversity; (2) clean and circular economy; (3) clean, accessible and secure energy supply; (4) green and sustainable agriculture;(5) Sustainable Intelligent Transportation. The last pillar of strategic and needs-oriented policy topics ranges from earthquake research, chemical and biological defence and biomedical equipment technologies to monitoring national biodiversity and value-added chemicals from purple resources. “Not specifically related to the ITEA Cluster but, nonetheless,” Ayda points out, “areas in which we want to encourage projects and address these pressing societal challenges, and indeed areas in which software and AI have their role to play.”

Incentives for innovative solutions

The Turkish government offers various incentives to encourage research and development activities in the software sector, such as tax incentives, grants and subsidies for companies engaged in softwarerelated RD&I projects. Türkiye has been establishing technology development zones and innovation centres where companies can set up their operations and enjoy benefits such as tax exemptions, access to shared facilities and cooperation opportunities with universities and research institutions as well as the Turkish government. “Incentives are provided to support startups, which often play a very crucial role in driving innovation and the software sector as well as incubators and accelerators, with funds to nurture young technology companies,” Ayda says. “Türkiye is actively collaborating with international organisations, research institutions and technology companies to exchange knowledge, access global best practices and promote technology transfer. Collaboration between public and private sectors plays a very crucial role here. Various innovation competitions and challenges are organised to encourage individuals and teams to develop innovative software solutions. The TEKNOFEST technology festival, attended by more than 2.5 million people just in 2023, is one of the best examples of this. Also, the government push for digital transformation across various sectors creates a demand for software solutions, leading to the opportunities for software companies to develop innovative products and services.”