Details of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye's 2027 annual program have revealed a large-scale strategic direction to enhance the innovation ecosystem and digital and green transformation. At the heart of this plan is the initiative to launch "Digital Companies Platform" (Dijital Şirket Platformu), specifically designed to support startups with scalable tech business models, aiming to build companies with international competitiveness and valuations exceeding one billion dollars.
Supporting Startups and Green Transformation
The strategy seeks to bridge the gap between scientific research and commercial products by preparing "Productization Roadmaps" (Ürünleştirme Yol Haritaları) within the framework of the Turkish Green Industry project. This direction aims to develop product groups that support environmental transformation through close cooperation between universities and the public sector. Investment-based entrepreneurship programs will also be supported to encourage the growth of high-value tech companies.
Enhancing Research and Development (R&D) Capabilities
The plan includes a package of measures to improve the quality of human resources in the technology sector, including:
- Providing graduate studies grants to encourage PhD students to participate in R&D projects.
- Increasing the employment of PhD holders in R&D centers.
- Launching programs to support the "scientific diaspora" by encouraging Turkish scientists abroad to collaborate with local research institutions.
- Providing specialized training on using patent databases to enhance innovation in R&D centers.
Ambitious Digital and Economic Goals
The Turkish government has set clear quantitative targets to be achieved by 2027, most notably:
- Raising R&D spending to reach 1.89% of GDP.
- Increasing the private sector's share of R&D spending to reach 66.4%.
- Reaching 403,409 full-time R&D employees.
International Cooperation
In a step to enhance its regional technical role, Turkey will work in cooperation with the United Nations Technology Bank (UNTBLDC) to develop a joint R&D mechanism, aiming to meet the technical needs of least developed countries through the Turkish innovation ecosystem.
Why Does This News Matter?
This announcement represents a shift from merely supporting traditional industries to building an integrated technical infrastructure focused on "added value." By targeting "Unicorn" companies and activating the role of universities as innovation platforms, Turkey seeks to reduce dependence on imported technologies and strengthen its position in global technical supply chains, while linking this growth to international environmental standards through green transformation.