TÜBİTAK GİRİŞİM DESTEKLERİ 2026. BİGG YATIRIM (1812), TEYDEB 1501-1507-1707 VE BAŞVURU ŞARTLARI

TUBITAK ENTREPRENEURSHIP SUPPORTS 2026: BIGG INVESTMENT (1812), TEYDEB 1501-1507-1707 AND APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

What Are TUBITAK Startup Supports?

In order to support R&D and innovation in Turkey, TUBITAK offers various support programs for startups based in Turkey, industrial organizations, and innovative business idea owners. The main goal of these programs is to ensure the realization of technology-oriented ideas, accelerate R&D-based product and service development processes, and strengthen the commercialization journey.

Among the support mechanisms offered are elements such as providing financing for R&D and innovation projects, developing startup teams through mentorship and training programs, and infrastructure/ecosystem access. Additionally, TUBITAK aims to contribute to Turkey's "National Technology Initiative" targets by offering diversified programs suitable for different stages of startups, ranging from the ideation phase to incorporation and scaling.

Therefore, it is of critical importance for entrepreneurs and business idea owners to correctly determine the support program suitable for their own stage and needs, carefully follow the application calendar and conditions, and prepare the application file consciously, both in terms of time and resource efficiency.

Here are the prominent TUBITAK startup supports:

• TUBITAK 1812 (Investment-Based Startup Support – BIGG INVESTMENT)
• 1501, 1507, and 1707 supports under TUBITAK TEYDEB
• Tax exemptions and other incentives for TUBITAK-supported startups

What is TUBITAK BIGG 1512? New Investment-Based Support Model

TUBITAK 1812 Investment-Based Venture Support Program (BIGG Investment) is a public support program aimed at supporting entrepreneurs' R&D and innovation-oriented business ideas, creating new employment opportunities, and bringing these ideas to commercialization. The program aims to bring qualified ventures into the ecosystem by offering a support mechanism consisting of different components such as investment, mentorship, and training to entrepreneurs who have validated their business ideas to a certain extent but face difficulties in accessing sufficient financing.

Within the scope of the program, entrepreneurs with a business idea generally follow these steps while preparing for the application:

1. Determining the Technology Readiness Level (TRL): Candidates determine the TRL level of their business idea by answering the question set on the “Determining the Technology Readiness Level (TRL)” page on the TUBITAK website. For the TUBITAK 1812 Program, the TRL must be at least level 3; the ideal range is mostly between 3–6.
2. Selection of the implementing agency: After verifying the TRL with the question set, the agency to apply to is determined by reviewing the Implementing Agency List on TUBITAK's “1812 Investment-Based Venture Support Program (BIGG Investment)” page. TUBITAK accepts BIGG Investment applications through the implementing agencies it authorizes. Therefore, the application is carried out through the processes of the selected implementing agency.
3. PRODİS registration and Phase 1 (Acceleration) application: Candidates register via eteydeb.tubitak.gov.tr (PRODİS) and apply for the Phase 1 Acceleration Program opened by their chosen implementing agency.
4. Implementing agency evaluation: The implementing agency conducts a referee/jury process evaluating the business idea based on criteria such as innovation, technology level, team competence, and R&D content, and notifies the candidate of the result via email.
5. Acceleration program and refinement of the business plan: Candidates whose applications are found positive are included in the Phase 1 acceleration process. In this phase, they receive training and mentorship on topics such as business model, product–market fit, team structure, and creating a cost table, making their business plan more suitable for BIGG Investment.
6. Pre-jury and Phase 2 application: The refined business plan is subjected to a preliminary evaluation, usually conducted via an online presentation by the implementing agency. Suitable candidates receive positive/negative feedback regarding the submission of the application to TUBITAK.
7. Transmission to TUBITAK via PRODİS and documents: Ventures that receive positive feedback proceed to the 2nd phase and upload their business plans via PRODİS. At this stage, the implementing agency can provide training and mentorship support regarding the system. In addition, documents such as the commitment letter and student/graduation certificates requested in the call are transmitted to TUBITAK.
8. TUBITAK Panel and result: TUBITAK reviews the applications and shares the online presentation date and link for the “TUBITAK Panel” consisting of referees. The panel usually proceeds in a short presentation and Q&A format (e.g., 5 minutes presentation + 5 minutes Q&A). Following the panel, ventures entitled to receive support are announced on the TUBITAK website.

The entire process may take approximately 6 months on average, depending on the call calendar and the plan of the implementing agency.

What are the Application Requirements for TUBITAK BIGG Investment?

The BIGG Investment Program focuses on entrepreneur candidates who have not yet incorporated or have not moved their business ideas to the commercialization stage. For this reason, who is accepted as an “entrepreneur” and who can apply are defined by clear criteria. The conditions are announced in the call document (application guide) published by TUBITAK in each call period. Candidates planning to apply to BIGG Investment are advised to review the relevant call document and carefully evaluate their eligibility status before starting the process.

The application requirements for TUBITAK BIGG Investment and the criteria for having a business idea are generally as follows:

• The applicant must have a technology and innovation-oriented business idea. The business idea is expected to be structured towards developing a product, process, software, or service, with commercialization potential.
• The applicant must be over 18 years old.
• As of the pre-application date, it is required to be an enrolled student in or a graduate of associate, undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral programs of universities. In this context, both active students and graduates are accepted as entrepreneur candidates.
• The candidate must not have previously received support from the Ministry of Industry and Technology Techno-enterprise Capital Support or from the 2nd phase of TUBITAK 1512/1812 programs. Individuals who benefit from public support of the same nature cannot reapply to the program.
• As of the pre-application date, the candidate must not hold shares/partnership in any business. Being a partner in a company during the application results in failing to meet the core eligibility criteria of the program.
• Each candidate can apply with only a single business idea in the same call period. Parallel applications with multiple ideas or through multiple implementing agencies are not allowed.
• The business idea is expected to comply with the thematic areas and any special conditions specified in the call text. TUBITAK may prioritize certain technology areas in some periods.

Entrepreneur candidates who meet these requirements get the opportunity to refine their business ideas, incorporate, and be included in the investment process within the scope of BIGG Investment. It is worth remembering that the most up-to-date and binding criteria are always included in the relevant call document/application guide.

Is There a Graduation Requirement for TUBITAK BIGG? Can Company Owners Benefit from BIGG Support?

Graduation requirements and the effect of existing company partnerships on applications are among the most frequently asked questions by candidates considering applying to the TUBITAK BIGG Investment (1812) program. Since the program targets entrepreneur candidates who have not yet incorporated or have not reached the incorporation stage, these two issues are clearly defined by rules in the call documents.

• Is there a graduation requirement?
  • BIGG Investment does not have a graduation requirement.
  • To be able to apply, it is not mandatory to graduate from associate, undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral programs of universities.
  • In addition, individuals who are actively students in these programs can also apply as entrepreneur candidates, provided they meet other necessary conditions.
• Can company owners/partners apply?
  • As of the pre-application date, individuals who hold a partnership share in any business cannot apply to the program.
  • The main reason for this is that BIGG Investment is designed for entrepreneurs who have not yet incorporated and will bring their business idea to the commercialization process for the first time.
  • Therefore, there should be no active company partnership at the time of application.
• What is the status of those who have left a company partnership?
  • Individuals who have left their company partnership before the application date can apply to the program, provided they also meet all other application requirements.
  • The eligibility evaluation is made based on the pre-application date; the candidate is expected not to be a partner of any company on this date.
• General Process and Criteria
  • In the general flow of the program, the incorporation process is initiated after the application is evaluated positively and the relevant phase is reached.
  • It is worth noting that the most up-to-date and binding criteria are located in the application guide/call document published in each call period.

TUBITAK BIGG 2026 Support Amount and Investment Rates

TUBITAK BIGG INVESTMENT 2026 supports are built on an investment-oriented structure that aims to carry innovative and technology-based business ideas to the incorporation stage. The support provided in this program is not a grant in the traditional sense; instead, a direct capital investment is made into the company established by the entrepreneur. In this respect, BIGG INVESTMENT offers a significant opportunity for early-stage startups both in terms of access to finance and transition to the institutionalization process.

As of 2026, the upper limit of the investment support provided under the TUBITAK BIGG INVESTMENT Program is 1,350,000.00 TL. This amount is transferred through the TUBITAK BIGG INVESTMENT Fund to the capital company established by the entrepreneur whose business plan is accepted. The resource is budgeted in line with the business plan to be used in product development, prototyping, software development, testing/validation processes, market entry preparations, and similar commercialization activities. The investment amount is transferred to the company account in cash, and expenses are made in accordance with the approved business plan.

In exchange for the investment, TUBITAK receives shares from the entrepreneurial company. Looking at the model applied in the 2026 calls, it is seen that the share ratio to be received in exchange for the investment is generally set at 3%. In other words, TUBITAK becomes a minority shareholder of the company in return for its investment of 1,350,000.00 TL; the management and control of the company remain with the entrepreneur.

In addition, if the business idea falls under one of the fields such as energy efficiency, renewable energy, waste recovery, water efficiency, eco-friendly buildings, smart transportation, and advanced materials and chemicals, a different investment structure may be applied for 3 startups selected by TUBITAK. In this scenario, the investment of the TUBITAK BIGG INVESTMENT Fund can be applied as 2,250,000.00 TL in exchange for a 5% share. The additional investment of 900,000.00 TL, to be made in return for the extra 2% share added to the 3% share, will be covered by the resources of the Global Cleantech Innovation Programme.

An important feature of the BIGG INVESTMENT model is that the entrepreneur is not personally indebted. The support provided does not constitute a repayable loan; in case of failure, no cash refund is requested from the entrepreneur. The return on investment is determined solely based on company shares. This approach makes the program more attractive, especially for entrepreneurs who do not want to take high financial risks at an early stage.

Finally, BIGG INVESTMENT is not limited to financial support alone. Throughout the process, startups are taken into a more structured growth process with mentorship and guidance support in areas such as business model development, financial planning, intellectual property management, commercialization, and investor readiness.

Supported and Unsupported Expenses in TUBITAK

Budget items in TUBITAK support programs are evaluated within the scope of the call text, implementation principles of the program, and the approved business plan/project budget. Therefore, which expenses are supported or unsupported may vary depending on the program you apply for (e.g., 1812, 1507, etc.) and the scope of the project.

1. Supported expenses

In general, the expenses that can be supported by TUBITAK are as follows:

• Mandatory and justified travel expenses within the scope of the project: Travel expenses may be supported in some programs; however, if they are not mandatory for the project output or are not sufficiently justified, they may not be accepted.
• Equipment/instruments, software, and publication purchases: Device/equipment purchases, software, and publication expenses required for the project, excluding computers and phones.
• Personnel expenses: The salaries of the personnel involved in the project and related personnel costs.
• Consultancy and service procurement: Service procurements such as domestic/international consultancy, testing/analysis, as well as outsourced services like accounting and legal consultancy.
• Material and consumable expenses: Material and consumable consumption used during the product or prototype development process.


2. Unsupported expenses

The expense items that are generally not evaluated within the scope of support are as follows:

• Accommodation expenses
• Value Added Tax (VAT)
• Construction and installation expenditures
• Office, warehouse, and stand rental fees
• Electricity, water, heating, and energy expenses
• In-city transportation, cargo, and postal expenses
• Distribution, marketing, and advertising expenditures
• Individual insurance premiums belonging to company partners
• Car rental and fuel expenses during travel
• Telephone, internet, and other communication expenses
• Expenses not accepted according to tax legislation
• Expenses related to profit, opportunity cost, and capital usage
• Office machinery, office furniture, and stationery supplies
• Personnel's meal, shuttle, transportation, and social assistance expenses
• Additional payments such as attendance fees, executive shares, and bonuses/incentives
• CE certificate and quality certification expenses (excluding testing expenses)
• Administrative expenses such as project document preparation, accounting, and secretarial work
• Depreciation, deposit payments, advances, and contract expenses
• Registration expenses for patents, trademarks, utility models, industrial designs, and similar
• Infrastructure and production investments not directly related to technological validation
• Personnel expenses related to the founding partners' insured work outside the company

Step-by-Step TUBITAK BIGG Process: Stages and Implementing Agencies

TUBITAK 1812 Investment-Based Entrepreneurship Support Program (BIGG Investment) is a three-stage support mechanism that aims to transform innovative business ideas into commercial products or services. Entrepreneurs advance to the next stage as they successfully complete each phase, ultimately reaching the incorporation and investment stage at the end of the process.

In the 2023–2025 period, the number of implementing agencies serving under BIGG Investment has been increased to 35. Universities, Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs), technoparks, research centers, TEKMERs (Technology Development Centers), venture capital funds, and capital companies are among the important stakeholders of this ecosystem. Implementing agencies help mature business ideas by providing prospective entrepreneurs with training, mentorship, business plan development support, and in some cases, access to networks / investors.

Below you can find a summary of the stages of the TUBITAK BIGG program:

1. Stage 1: Selection of Implementing Agency and Business Plan Preparation: Entrepreneurs submit their business ideas to implementing agencies authorized by TUBITAK. Implementing agencies carry out technical and commercial evaluations to ensure the business idea transforms into a business plan. Throughout the process, services such as mentoring, training, access to collaboration networks, and accelerator programs are provided. Stage 1 is completed as of the business plan submission deadline specified in the call.
2. Stage 2: Seal of Excellence and Incorporation Process: For business plans found eligible in Stage 2, the entrepreneur is required to incorporate a company. Following the signing of the contract with TUBITAK (depending on the call and application principles), support in the nature of investment/grant is provided to the startup. During this stage, activities such as conceptual design, feasibility studies, prototype development, software development, and technological validation are carried out. If needed, TUBITAK can also provide business guide (mentor) support.
3. Stage 3: Growth with the 1507 SME R&D Start-Up Support Program: The final stage aims to develop the outputs obtained in Stage 2 through R&D studies and to increase their commercialization potential. At this stage, startups apply to the TUBITAK 1507 SME R&D Start-Up Support Program to continue their R&D activities more comprehensively. Detailed design, performance improvement, testing/validation, and field applications can be carried out within this scope.

TUBITAK TEYDEB Supports: Industry-Oriented R&D and Innovation Programs

TUBITAK TEYDEB covers many programs supporting the R&D and innovation activities of industrial organizations. Below, we have summarized the most frequently applied TEYDEB supports along with their scopes:

• 1501 – Industrial R&D Projects Support Program: Aims to support the R&D and innovation projects of industrial organizations. New product development, improvement of existing products, and technology-oriented solutions in production processes can be evaluated within the scope of this program. SMEs and large-scale enterprises can apply.
• 1507 – SME R&D Start-Up Support Program: Aimed at SMEs that are new to R&D activities. It helps firms conducting an R&D project for the first time (or with limited experience) to step into technology development processes more quickly and systematically.
• 1707 – Order-Based R&D Projects Support Call for SMEs: Supports R&D projects with high commercialization potential that can rapidly turn into products. The program is based on the cooperation between a Customer Organization and at least one Supplier Organization of SME scale. While the Supplier SME conducts the R&D work, the Customer Organization both provides co-financing and plays a role in tracking the process. The project budget can be a maximum of 10,000,000 TL, and the project duration can be a maximum of 24 months.
• 1812 – TUBITAK BIGG Investment (Investment-Based Entrepreneurship Support Program): Supports the incorporation and early-stage access to finance of entrepreneurs with technology- and innovation-oriented business ideas. The program covers the steps of validating the business idea, establishing the company, and preparing for the investment process.

What Are the Differences Between 1501 and 1507 Support Programs?

The fundamental difference between the 1501 and 1507 programs is that 1501 supports the more comprehensive projects of companies that are more experienced in the R&D process, while 1507 focuses on the initial/early-stage projects of SMEs that are new to R&D. When choosing the program, the scale of the company, its R&D experience, and the project scope are the determining factors.

Here are the primary differences between 1501 and 1507 supports:

• Target Audience and Purpose: 1501 supports higher-scope projects of companies with relatively mature R&D and innovation capacities. On the other hand, 1507 aims to facilitate SMEs' entry into R&D and encourage them to implement their first projects.
• Support Structure / Support Rate: The support rate is relatively lower in 1501. In 1507, the support rate is higher; this aims to enable SMEs to start R&D activities and establish a sustainable project management infrastructure.
• Eligibility to Apply: Both SMEs and large enterprises can apply for 1501. Only SMEs can apply for 1507.
• Project Scope and Scale: 1501 can cover technically more advanced, wide-scope projects. 1507 is more suitable for initial-level R&D projects with a more limited scope.
• R&D Experience Expectation: In 1501, a certain R&D infrastructure, project management experience, and maturity level can be expected from the company. In 1507, these conditions are more flexible; the initial projects of SMEs just stepping into R&D can also be supported.
• Selection Criteria (Practical Recommendation): If the company's R&D processes and resources are well-established, and the project scope is wide with high technical depth, 1501 may be more suitable. For SMEs that will run an R&D project for the first time or want to start the process with a more controlled budget, 1507 is a more accurate starting point.

Tax Exemptions and Incentives for TUBITAK-Supported Startups

TUBITAK-supported startups can benefit from various tax exemptions and financial incentives to encourage R&D and innovation activities. These advantages contribute to reducing the total costs of startups, allowing them to allocate more resources to R&D studies and manage their cash flow more healthily.

The support amounts provided within the scope of the grant received from TUBITAK may not be evaluated as taxable income within the framework of the relevant legislation and may not be included in the corporate tax base. Thus, the support budget can be used directly for project activities. In addition to this, the income tax withholding incentive applied for R&D and design personnel significantly reduces the cost of employing qualified human resources.

Additionally, SSI employer premium support regarding R&D personnel may also come into question. TUBITAK-supported startups operating in Technology Development Zones (technoparks) can obtain additional benefits such as corporate tax exemption on R&D and software earnings, and income tax exemption on personnel wages by taking advantage of technopark tax benefits. VAT and customs duty exemptions for machinery, equipment, and software purchases used in R&D projects can also be applied (depending on the conditions of the program/call).

To summarize;

• TUBITAK's prominent programs for startups (BIGG 1812, TEYDEB 1501/1507/1707) and whom they are suitable for are explained.
• BIGG Investment application requirements, stages, and the approximate timeline are summarized step by step.
• A general framework regarding eligible/ineligible expenses and tax incentives is provided.

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Mesut SENEL | Ifasturk CEO

Independent Accountant Financial Advisor