The inaugural GITEX AI Türkiye brought more than 300 companies and startups from 70 countries to Istanbul, as Türkiye looks to strengthen its position as a technology and artificial intelligence hub connecting Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
GITEX AI Türkiye made its Istanbul debut on September 9–10, bringing together global technology companies, startups, investors, policymakers and industry leaders at the Istanbul Expo Center.
The first Türkiye edition of the global GITEX technology platform was hosted by Türkiye’s Investment and Finance Office in strategic partnership with the Ministry of Industry and Technology.
More than 300 corporate exhibitors and startups representing 70 countries participated in the two-day event, alongside 150 global speakers and more than 100 investors managing over $100 billion in combined assets. Thousands of visitors attended the event, according to Türkiye’s Investment and Finance Office.
Global technology players including Google Cloud, HPE, NVIDIA, ASUS, Dell Technologies, Huawei and SAP were among the companies represented, highlighting the event’s ambition to establish Istanbul as a meeting point for international technology companies and Türkiye’s growing innovation ecosystem.
AI Takes Centre Stage
Artificial intelligence was at the heart of the event, alongside cloud and connectivity, cybersecurity, data centres, fintech, defence technology, gaming, quantum technologies, mobility, healthtech and smart manufacturing.
The event arrived at a significant moment for Türkiye’s AI ambitions. Under the country’s 2026–2030 AI Vision and Action Plan, Türkiye aims to mobilise at least $10 billion in private-sector investment across AI infrastructure, cloud computing and data centres, while targeting at least 1GW of installed data-centre capacity by 2030.
Türkiye has also developed an increasingly sizeable AI startup base. Government figures previously cited more than 1,000 active AI-focused startups, supported by a broader ecosystem of technology development zones, R&D centres, universities, corporates and venture capital investors.
Istanbul Becomes a Meeting Point for Startups and Global Capital
Beyond enterprise technology, startups and venture capital formed a major part of GITEX AI Türkiye.
The event brought international investors to Istanbul to scout emerging companies and establish connections with founders from Türkiye and other markets. Investors represented at the event collectively manage more than $100 billion in assets, reinforcing the growing international interest in the region’s technology ecosystem.
Türkiye also showcased companies participating in its Turcorn 100 Program, including Colendi, Vispera, Saha Robotics, WASK and TechSign. The programme is designed to support high-potential Turkish technology companies as they scale internationally and pursue unicorn-level growth.
The timing is particularly relevant for Türkiye’s venture ecosystem. Startup funding in the country reached approximately $700 million in 2025, while Turkish startups raised $559 million during the first quarter of 2026, according to figures highlighted ahead of the event.
Building a Technology Corridor Across Regions
GITEX AI Türkiye also represents a broader expansion of the GITEX platform beyond its Dubai origins.
By bringing the network to Istanbul, organisers are positioning Türkiye as a potential technology corridor connecting Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia and the wider Eurasian market — regions where startup ecosystems and cross-border investment activity continue to accelerate.
For Türkiye, the opportunity goes beyond hosting another major technology conference. The bigger objective is to translate the country’s engineering talent, growing startup base and industrial capacity into globally scalable technology businesses while attracting more international capital and strategic partnerships.
The inaugural GITEX AI Türkiye offered an early glimpse of that ambition: global capital, global technology and regional entrepreneurship meeting in Istanbul — with AI at the centre.
