KOSGEB Supports – Grants, Loans, and Programs for Turkish SMEs and Startups

Apply for a KOSGEB grant today to accelerate your enterprise’s growth. KOSGEB offers targeted funding through grants, loans, and structured programs designed for Turkish SMEs and startups. The country-wide system connects sectors with dedicated centers and chambers, enabling fast access to resources through local organizations. This guide outlines practical steps to secure support for manufacturing, entry into new markets, and scalable production.

Identify the right program: grants for research, development and training vouchers, and certificate costs that boost production and manufacturing capabilities. Programs cover products development, process improvements, and export readiness. Eligibility often depends on enterprise size, sectors, and project impact. For example, manufacturing firms pursuing new product lines can apply for cost-sharing on equipment, training, and certificate costs. The country’s programs require a defined plan, milestones, and a certificate of completion for training modules.

Prepare your package: map your sectors and align with government objectives, gather documents, and meet with chambers or sector associations. The application flow commonly includes a formal entry note, a business plan, financial projections, and a research plan for R&D. Use training to upskill your team; engage with centers for validation; seek advice from organizations that support SMEs. After approval, track milestones under the program to ensure timely disbursement of funds and accurate reporting on production metrics and job creation.

Practical tips to meet the requirements: start with a clear entry plan to scale into new markets, define your products and production roadmap, and document expected outputs. If you operate in a specific sector, request designation from relevant centers or chambers to access sector funds. Build a robust research and production plan, attach supplier and customer references, and demonstrate training outcomes. Maintain compliance with documentation, including certificate and financial reports, to strengthen your standing with organizations and government institutions.

Eligibility Criteria and Documentation for KOSGEB Grants

Submit a complete application within the first month of the current calls window and attach all required documents. A concise proposal should highlight the purpose of the grant, the activity plan, and how the funds will improve productivity, product quality, or market access for your smes. Include a certificate of registration and CVs for key team members to speed review through their evaluation cycle. Align research plans with your sector, markets, and any collaborating institutes, centers, or organizations, and ensure the period and year of the project fit the program’s timeline.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible applicants are SMEs registered in Turkey with at least one year of operation and a sustainable business model. The project must have a clear purpose to improve competitive ability and demonstrate a realistic budget and expected outcomes. Partnerships with institutes, centers, or research centers are encouraged, but programs should show that the applicant leads the initiative and that there is feasible collaboration with the involved organizations and markets.

Documentation Checklist

Grant Application Process: Timeline and Step-by-Step Guide

Begin with a clear project summary and a 1-page entry that states purpose, expected impact on markets, and how the product or invention aligns with the grant’s goals. Use this entry to drive the full proposals and keep the enterprise focused throughout the process.

Timeline and Preparation

1. Month 0–1: verify eligibility and read the current call on the KOSGEB portal; assemble a small team of entrepreneurs, researchers, and a finance lead.
2. Month 1–2: draft the entry, gather information on the product or invention, confirm the purpose and expected impact on markets.
3. Month 2–3: prepare the financial plan, cost categories (manufacturing, training, equipment) and a risk register.
4. Month 3: compile documents (business registration, financial statements, licenses, patents or inventions, support letters from foundations).
5. Month 3–4: assemble the full proposals, outline training elements for staff and entrepreneurs, and map project milestones.
6. Deadline: submit all applications through the portal before the cut-off and save confirmations.

Step-by-step Guide

1. Identify the grant call that matches your general purpose and business model; verify eligibility criteria for their sector and stage of development.
2. Prepare a concise 1-page entry that states purpose, expected impact on product lines, and alignment with your enterprise’s growth plan.
3. Develop full proposals that detail the technical approach, underlying science or research, and how manufacturing steps will scale for markets.
4. Draft a robust budget covering all costs, including training programs for their team, equipment, testing, and potential manufacturing upgrades.
5. Include a risk and mitigation plan, with milestones and clear success metrics tied to their research results and product readiness.
6. Gather supporting documents: registration certificates, financials, intellectual property status, letters of support from foundations or partners.
7. Prepare appendices: product sketches, prototypes, testing data, and any information that demonstrates feasibility.
8. Submit the applications online, ensuring all fields are complete and attachments meet size limits; confirm receipt.
9. Monitor the portal for any information requests and respond within the allotted timeframe; once approved, review terms and sign the agreement; begin work on the project.

Grant Types for Startups: Coverage, Caps, and Use of Funds

Begin with a practical pick: target grant types that maximize coverage for your microsmall activity in turkish industrial manufacturing or services, and align this with your period of development. Gather information from organizations and foundations in the country to verify conditions, eligibility, and application windows. Use a compact table to compare options by program name, coverage, caps, and allowed uses, and keep a record of open applications and closed deadlines. Consider how andor collaboration with universities can boost eligibility for science-led projects.

Coverage and Caps

Programs commonly offer coverage for equipment, prototypes, testing, certification, software, and direct labor tied to the project. Typical coverage ranges from 40% to 60% of eligible costs, with per-project caps between 100,000 and 1,000,000 TRY. Higher coverage tends to apply when the project has strong science or industrial impact and when partnerships with foundations or universities are involved. If you plan a microsmall activity in manufacturing, look for programs that weight hardware and pilot lines, not only consulting. Name the program in your submission and map costs to eligible categories to meet the stated conditions. Applications often stay open for a defined period, and some rounds close early if the allocation is exhausted. Successful startups use milestones to guide spending and keep the information aligned with the table.

Use of Funds and Compliance

Eligible uses typically include equipment purchase, software, testing, certifications, pilot production, and staff training linked to the project. Non-eligible costs usually include general marketing, overhead not tied to the project, and routine maintenance. Procurement rules may require competitive bidding and local suppliers; keep records to demonstrate compliance and enable audits by the funding organizations. If you receive support, monitor the period of performance and milestone reporting; fail to meet milestones can lead to revocation or need to close the grant. Prepare a detailed spend plan, ensure it aligns with the funding table, and maintain clear information about vendors and invoices. This approach enables faster scale for microsmall actors and supports country-wide manufacturing and industrial activity.

Successful implementations rely on precise documentation and timely reporting.

Loans from KOSGEB: Eligibility, Interest Rates, and Repayment Terms

Apply now if your domestic enterprise meets the basic eligibility criteria and has a robust plan to scale manufacturing and technology projects. KOSGEB offers support as loans andor grants through its programs, so align your request with the most suitable option for your growth path.

Eligibility

To qualify, your country of operation must be Turkey and your enterprise must be registered and active. Their application rests on a solid year plan that shows viability and growth potential. The institutes and chambers network reviews the file, with officials cross-checking the number of employees, the age of the company, and whether previous loans were closed. Each proposal should include a detailed project description, a cost table, and a timeline covering months and milestones. The thematic focus matters: projects in science, technology, and invention areas that strengthen domestic manufacturing receive stronger consideration. A valid training plan, evidence of studies or pilots, and a clear path into production are required, along with a product roadmap and market assessment. Conditions vary by program, but all applicants must demonstrate a sustainable cash flow, profitability potential, and willingness to comply with reporting and audit requirements.

Additionally, ensure the enterprise is not in a closed status on public records, and present a plan that can be monitored by local authorities. The zone where you operate can affect eligibility, so coordinate with the chamber and the relevant institute in that zone to confirm your standing and to prepare the required documents, including a table of costs and milestones. All communications rely on the their contact points; keep the message clear and consistent across the program, the institutes, and the chambers.

Interest Rates and Repayment Terms

Rates are set per program and may be fixed for a defined period, commonly 12, 24, or 36 months, then adjusted based on performance and collateral. The table of terms on the official portal shows the exact rate bands and any reduction for training, inventions, or export potential. Repayment schedules use monthly installments with a typical horizon of 12 to 60 months, depending on project size and risk assessment. Grace periods of several months can be offered for capex-heavy plans; confirm the exact duration in the program guidelines. Collateral requirements vary; many applicants use guarantees via chambers or state-supported institutes to improve approval odds. Prepare a repayment plan that aligns with your production cycles into the product launch year, and ensure your cash flow demonstrates a path to profitability. If you operate in a designated zone, tie the schedule to your domestic sales forecasts and potential research collaborations with science and technology partners.

Innovation and R&D Support: Prototyping, Testing, and Certification Programs

Apply now to KOSGEB’s prototyping and testing programs to accelerate your product development and bring domestic innovations to market faster.

With these options, enterprises–from microsmall startups to established manufacturers–gain access to advanced facilities, flexible funding, and certification pathways that align with sectors across Turkey and export ambitions.

1. Prototyping support
   • Scope: Rapid prototyping for hardware and software-enabled products across manufacturing, consumer devices, automotive components, and related sectors.
   • What you receive: access to advanced equipment at operating centers, materials sponsorship, and design reviews to validate concepts quickly.
   • Who can apply: entrepreneur, enterprise, microsmall or domestic teams that operate legally and are affiliated with foundations or training networks.
   • How to apply: prepare a concise project brief, technical roadmap, budget, and milestones; submit as part of a formal proposals package via the online applications portal.
   • Timeline expectations: initial concept alignment in 2–4 weeks, followed by full prototyping cycles of 4–8 weeks depending on complexity and sector needs.
   • Practical tip: place an order for prototyping services through your KOSGEB account to reserve equipment time and ensure priority scheduling at centers.
2. Testing and certification support
   • What it covers: access to domestic laboratories for performance, safety, and interoperability tests; guidance to align with national and international standards; support to obtain a certificate of conformity for your product.
   • Benefits: reduces risk before mass production, strengthens market readiness, and enhances credibility with customers and partners.
   • Who benefits: any enterprise pursuing new products or line extensions that require formal test results before market entry.
   • Process note: document test plans, record results, and attach them to your proposals to streamline approvals and certification steps.
3. Proposals and applications best practices
   • Focus areas: clearly define problem statements, target sectors, and expected impact on domestic manufacturing and export potential.
   • Required content: technical objectives, milestones, budget breakdown, risk assessment, and a realistic timeline that demonstrates value for each phase.
   • Collaboration: show legal establishment and any affiliated partners (universities, foundations, or training centers) to strengthen the proposal.
   • Submission tips: tailor proposals to specific programs, emphasize scalability, and include a robust training plan for staff involved in operating the prototype and tests.
   • Outcome goals: aim for a certificate of completion for prototyping stages and progress toward a formal certification plan for the final product.
4. Collaboration and network options
   • Networks: engage with affiliated universities, research centers, and foundations to access shared facilities and expertise.
   • Legal and organizational forms: work through established legal entities and establishments to qualify for broader KOSGEB support.
   • Training and capacity: leverage training centers to upskill the entrepreneur and team, accelerating readiness for manufacturing and certification processes.
   • Geographic reach: utilize centers across turkey to align with regional strengths in sectors such as manufacturing, automotive, and consumer electronics.
5. Implementation plan and progression
   • Roadmap: draft a clear path from concept to prototype to testing, with defined milestones and measurement criteria for each step.
   • KPIs: track prototype success rate, test pass rates, and the number of certificates issued as you advance through establishment stages.
   • Scale-up: upon successful prototyping and certification, pursue additional funding or loans to expand production lines or enter new markets in Turkey and abroad.
   • Monitoring: maintain regular reviews at centers and with affiliated partners to ensure alignment with sector needs and regulatory changes.

Industry Focus Programs: Which Sectors Receive KOSGEB Support

Target sectors with active Industry Focus Programs and a strong domestic market: machinery and equipment, automotive components, electronics and ICT, food processing, textiles and apparel, furniture, software and IT services, renewable energy technologies, agribusiness, and health tech. Turkish entrepreneurs should start by selecting the line of business that aligns with the program focus and demonstrates real market demand.

These programs are coordinated at the national level through KOSGEB and affiliated organizations, including chambers, unions, and local partners. They use clearly defined program lines and provide general information about eligibility, required documents, and the range of services available to supported ventures. Current calls are published by the national office and updated regularly, so you should check official channels for the latest data.

An entrepreneur should verify eligibility and access the program information and services that support scale and export readiness.

Entrepreneurs should compare sector priorities and select the line that best fits their business model. The number of supported projects varies by sector and year, so targeting a high-potential line increases the chance of a successful outcome and access to financing and advisory services. Each cycle is determined by budget and market needs, with some calls closed to new applicants.

Key Sectors Receiving Support

Machinery and equipment; automotive components; electronics and ICT; food processing and agrifood; textiles and apparel; furniture and wood products; software and IT services; renewable energy technologies; and health tech and medical devices are common focus areas. Turkish SMEs in these sectors can access tailored coaching, grant and loan options, and services through national programs, with the number of affiliated organizations, chambers, and unions coordinating support.

The number of projects supported per sector depends on available budget and evaluation results.

Access and Preparation Tips

Review program information published by KOSGEB and affiliated organizations, including chambers, industry associations, and unions. Gather a solid business case with the product name, line of business, and clear domestic market demand. Highlight inventions or unique features that differentiate your products in the market, and outline production capabilities, testing plans, and required equipment. Prepare a detailed investment plan, job creation projections, and a timeline aligned with the chosen program line. Engage with chambers and affiliated organizations early to understand eligibility, required documents, and potential partners, and attend information sessions to confirm current calls and any regional variations.

Post-Approval Compliance: Reporting, Audits, and Renewal Opportunities

Set up a quarterly reporting calendar and a concise pre-submission checklist to ensure compliance and improve outcomes for their projects, with attention to entrepreneurs seeking growth into new markets. For KOSGEB-supported projects, follow program-specific templates and deadlines to align with Turkey’s public-institute requirements.

The purpose of post-approval compliance is to document progress, safeguard public funds, and strengthen the country’s program portfolio across markets. Track milestones, budget utilization, updates on products, and training results; define high-quality metrics such as milestone completion rate, cost per product, and user adoption. Use rapid, clear narratives supported by data files to accelerate exchanges with their program institutes and auditors.

Submit reports into the official portal maintained by public institutes in Turkey, whose name varies by program. Attach high-quality data files (CSV for metrics, PDFs for narratives) and reference thematic studies that tie activities to tangible outcomes. Maintain a single source of truth for each project to streamline reviews and ensure consistency across their documentation.

Reporting Requirements and Best Practices

Prepare a standardized set of documents for each project: quarterly financials, milestone updates, risk register, procurement receipts, and impact indicators. The portal requires a short executive summary, a budget to actual comparison, and a narrative on how products reach entry into new markets. Keep all entries accurate and traceable, with clear author names and timestamps to enable rapid audits.

Develop a lightweight dashboard that covers the main indicators: progress against plan, burn rate, and any changes to scope or team. This supports quick decisions at the country level and helps institutes monitor several programs at once.

Audits, Reviews, and Renewal Opportunities

Audits follow a risk-based schedule and may be triggered by significant variances or complaints. Maintain a complete audit trail: signed approvals, receipts, changes to budgets, and updated forecasts. Respond to requests within the timelines stated in notices to avoid delays. The force of compliance hinges on data integrity and timely communication, so keep the portal status updated and all documentation accessible.

Renewal opportunities vary by program and country, and applications for renewal are managed by public institutes in Turkey, whose name varies by program. Prepare an updated plan that shows how ongoing activities will improve products and expand into additional markets, with a clear narrative on outcomes from thematic studies. A renewal package typically includes an executive summary, revised budget and forecast, current milestones, lessons learned, and a risk assessment. Timelines commonly span 60 to 120 days after submission, so submit early and maintain ongoing exchanges with program managers to address gaps quickly. Ensure every entry aligns with the stated purpose and demonstrates impact and sustainability for the next phase.