ISTANBUL – The Artificial Intelligence Factory (Yapay Zeka Fabrikası), operating under Türkiye İş Bankası, has released the findings of the 2025 Turkish Artificial Intelligence Ecosystem and Global Impact Report, prepared with contributions from Startups.watch and Endeavor Türkiye.
According to a statement from the bank, the report evaluates the Turkish AI ecosystem not only within Türkiye’s borders but as a global whole, including startups founded abroad under the leadership of Turkish entrepreneurs and the broader impact of the Turkish tech diaspora.
The report shows that the Turkish AI ecosystem, with 1,188 active AI startups, is on a strong growth trajectory. Around 70% of these startups were founded in 2020 or later.
The number of AI startups founded by Turkish entrepreneurs operating abroad has reached 274, while the number of AI “unicorns” developed under the leadership of Turkish founders has risen to three.
The report also notes that during the 2024–2025 period, 180 AI startups received early-stage investment. Despite a decline in the number of global AI investment deals as of 2025, total investment volume reached a record high.
B2B-focused solutions stand out
Over the past year, the Turkish AI ecosystem produced two new AI unicorns, demonstrating strong competitiveness particularly in business-to-business (B2B) solutions.
In the business-to-consumer (B2C) segment, AI application studios in Türkiye show significant potential, supported by product development and scaling capabilities derived from the country’s mobile gaming sector.
The report emphasizes that the strong B2B focus of Turkish AI startups, combined with the multi-centered structure formed by Türkiye-based ventures and diaspora-led startups, reinforces the ecosystem’s global competitiveness.
Source: Anadolu Ajansı/ Prepared by: İlayda Gök