Technology Ground of Istanbul: Technopark

What is Technopark?

In the age of technology, a country's global competitiveness gets measured by its potential to generate "new information" and "technology advancement." Countries wanting to take their place in the rapidly globalizing economy invest in science instead of traditional productions. Thus, science parks, technoparks, and innovation centers are significantly important. Technoparks aims to enrich the wealth of society by promoting the innovation culture and encouraging the competitiveness of knowledge-based companies.

The first technopark under the Stanford Research Park (Silicon Valley) was founded in the USA, seven years after World War II, in 1952. The second technopark was founded at Heriot-Watt University in 1972. After that, technoparks rapidly became popular around the globe. Currently, many countries have technoparks.

Teknopark Istanbul

Teknopark Istanbul, a technology development zone established to contribute to Turkey's technology development capacity by domestic and foreign entrepreneurs, is located in the advanced technology center of the Turkish defense industry. Teknopark Istanbul combines the research skills of Istanbul's universities and nearby universities, a qualified workforce, and the experience of the regional industry, particularly the defense industry.

Teknopark Istanbul aims to support the establishment of the necessary dynamic, scientific and technological infrastructure to meet Turkey's advanced technology needs from national resources by the Presidency of Defense Industries. With an area of around 2.5 million m², Teknopark Istanbul gained the status of Technology Development Zone (TGB) in 2009. It currently continues working with 300 leading Turkish and foreign companies to develop technology in fields such as aviation/space, maritime and advanced technology, primarily in industry.

What Differs Teknopark Istanbul from Others?

Most of the technoparks opened in Turkey in the 1980s are owned by universities. Teknopark Istanbul is the only technopark not associated with any university, and it brings more than twelve universities together and establishes cooperation between universities and the public sector.