Kacır sets Türkiye’s AI and startup growth targets at GITEX Ai Türkiye

Türkiye unveiled a push to rank among the world’s top 10 startup ecosystems, with a goal of 100,000 tech startups and $100 billion in total unicorn value, at GITEX Ai Türkiye in Istanbul. The event also spotlighted new public AI funding, cybersecurity priorities and international expansion plans across the GITEX network.

Why it matters: - Türkiye is trying to turn its AI and startup sector into a bigger driver of growth, investment and exports. - The government’s targets signal a more aggressive bid to attract capital, scale local founders and position Türkiye as a regional AI hub. - The focus on cybersecurity, digital government and women entrepreneurs shows the AI push is being framed as an economy-wide shift, not just a tech story.

What happened: - Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır said Türkiye wants to become one of the world’s top 10 startup ecosystems. - Kacır set goals of 100,000 tech startups and $100 billion in total unicorn valuation. - Türkiye is committing $150 million in public funding to AI-focused venture capital funds. - Kacır made the remarks at GITEX Ai Türkiye at Istanbul Expo Centre in front of global technology leaders and international attendees from 88 countries. - The event was hosted by Invest in Türkiye, in strategic partnership with the Ministry of Industry and Technology, and organised by inD. - GITEX Ai Türkiye ran for two days at Istanbul Expo Center.

The details: - Sadullah Uzun, Director General of National Technology and AI at the Ministry of Industry and Technology, said Türkiye’s AI Vision and Action Plan for 2026-2030 will reserve 2% of public spending for AI. - Uzun said the plan aims to equip 5 million citizens with skills to participate in the AI economy. - A. Burak Dağlıoğlu, President of the Investment and Finance Office of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye, said Türkiye has evolved from a bridge between Asia and Europe into a regional hub for manufacturing, R&D, logistics, technology and entrepreneurship. - Dağlıoğlu said Türkiye’s longer-term ambition is to become a global economic powerhouse. - Trixie LohMirmand, CEO of GITEX, said Türkiye has a global industrial base, a dynamic digital economy and about 1,500 AI startups. - LohMirmand said GITEX aims to help Türkiye move from intent to velocity by connecting the country with new markets, capital and talent. - More than 350 enterprises and startups took part in the show. - Exhibitors met with global investors, policymakers and technology leaders. - Companies used the event to showcase new technologies, pursue partnerships and seek routes into international markets. - Sümeyye Erdoğan Bayraktar, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Woman and Democracy Foundation, said women entrepreneurs can use AI to do more with smaller teams and fewer resources. - Bayraktar said women still need mentorship, investment and better employment opportunities to convert that potential into economic power. - INTEGRA CITY, a Dubai-headquartered technology integrator, participated across the GITEX portfolio including events in Dubai, Egypt, Morocco and Türkiye. - INTEGRA CITY signed MoUs to take part in GITEX Ai Belgrade on 25-27 May 2027 and GITEX Ai Kazakhstan on 7-8 June 2027. - INTEGRA CITY showcased a smart city platform that combines data from multiple urban systems into a single environment for AI-assisted analysis and management. - Hakan Uzun, CGO and co-founder of Brandefense, said compliance is becoming a board-level issue as organizations broaden their view of cyber risk. - Brandefense displayed AI-powered tools for external attack surface management, threat intelligence, brand protection and third-party risk management. - Yun Sung Kephas Bang, CEO of UMV, said cybersecurity must become a core pillar of digital transformation if organizations want to adopt AI with confidence. - UMV showcased WSS AI for advanced web shell detection and WARSS for real-time website defacement recovery. - The next edition of GITEX AI Türkiye is scheduled for 15-16 September 2027.

Between the lines: - Türkiye is pairing policy targets with capital commitments, which suggests the government wants to move beyond broad AI ambition and into measurable ecosystem building. - The event messaging also shows a push to link domestic innovation with international market access, especially through the wider GITEX network. - The repeated emphasis on trust, regulation and cybersecurity reflects a broader concern that AI growth will stall without stronger digital safeguards. - The focus on women founders points to an attempt to widen the talent pipeline and increase the number of entrepreneurs able to benefit from AI tools.

What's next: - Türkiye will need to turn its 2026-2030 AI plan, startup targets and funding pledge into active investment and company formation. - Companies participating in GITEX Ai Türkiye are expected to use the event to build partnerships and expand into new markets. - INTEGRA CITY will appear at the 2027 GITEX Ai events in Belgrade and Kazakhstan. - Organizers will stage the next GITEX AI Türkiye on 15-16 September 2027.

The bottom line: - Türkiye is using GITEX Ai Türkiye to project a bigger ambition: not just adopting AI, but building an internationally competitive AI and startup economy from the ground up.