What is KOSGEB?
The Küçük ve Orta Ölçekli İşletmeleri Geliştirme ve Destekleme İdaresi Başkanlığı (KOSGEB) is Türkiye’s Small and Medium Enterprises Development Organisation, established under 3624 sayılı Kanun and operating under the Ministry of Industry and Technology. KOSGEB administers Türkiye’s largest portfolio of SME and entrepreneurship grant and credit support programmes, with hundreds of millions of TRY disbursed annually across multiple programmes.
Key entrepreneurship programmes
- Geleneksel Girişimci Destek Programı: non-technology-based SME founders — Applied Entrepreneurship Training participants who incorporate a company within 24 months receive establishment grants and operational support.
- İleri Girişimci Destek Programı: technology and innovation-based founders — higher ceilings, machinery/equipment support, mentorship.
- Ar-Ge İnovasyon Destek Programı: R&D and innovation grants for SMEs.
- İşletme Geliştirme Destek Programı: capacity building, certifications, expert consulting, exhibition support.
- İhracat Destek Programı: export-oriented capacity building.
Programme mechanics
- Application via KOBİ Bilgi Sistemi (KBS): central portal.
- Mandatory Applied Entrepreneurship Training (Uygulamalı Girişimcilik Eğitimi): prerequisite for most entrepreneurship grants.
- Geri ödemesiz (non-repayable) vs. geri ödemeli (repayable) components vary by programme.
- Sectoral and regional preferences: additional support in priority development regions and strategic sectors.
Coordination with other programmes
KOSGEB programmes often stack with TÜBİTAK BiGG, TGB technopark tax benefits, and Türkiye İhracat Kredi Bankası (Türk Eximbank) credit support. Founders should map the support landscape early to optimise the combined funding stack.
Do: attend Uygulamalı Girişimcilik Eğitimi early; map KOSGEB, TÜBİTAK and Eximbank programmes for stacking opportunities; submit applications via KBS with complete supporting documentation.
Don’t: apply piecemeal — KOSGEB evaluates applicants holistically and prior application discipline matters.