In this article, we will explain a sample application form for the 2020 KOSGEB entrepreneurship training. KOSGEB supports entrepreneurs across thousands of sectors with grants and loans to help start businesses. These supports continued into 2020 and remain an important resource for new entrepreneurs.
One prerequisite for applying to the support program that offers 50,000 TL non-repayable grant and 100,000 TL repayable loan for new entrepreneurs is successful completion of the KOSGEB Applied Entrepreneurship Training, which is held periodically in many provinces throughout Turkey.
What Is the KOSGEB Entrepreneurship Course?
The Applied Entrepreneurship Course is organized by İŞKUR, KOSGEB and partner institutions to promote entrepreneurship in Turkey, encourage the establishment of successful businesses, and equip prospective entrepreneurs with the knowledge and skills needed to start and manage a business and convert business ideas into viable business plans.
Participants receive a certificate after completing at least 32 hours of training. This certificate is a prerequisite for benefiting from KOSGEB’s New Entrepreneur Support program, which provides a 50,000 TL grant and a 100,000 TL loan. Without the certificate, applicants cannot receive these benefits.
How to Apply for KOSGEB Applied Entrepreneurship Training?
Applications for the KOSGEB entrepreneurship course are submitted via the e-Government portal. From the e-Government website, navigate to the KOSGEB Applied Entrepreneurship Training Participant Application module, select the New Application button on the redirected page, and fill out the displayed form.
CLICK TO APPLY VIA E-GOVERNMENT
What Is in the Form?
Entrepreneur Information: Personal information retrieved from e-Government is pre-filled on the form. This includes full name, Turkish ID number, date of birth, address registered in the address system, phone number and email. If the applicant is a veteran, disabled, or a relative of a martyr, the corresponding option should be indicated. Education level should reflect the highest completed degree.
Course Selection: In this section, the applicant selects where they will attend the Applied Entrepreneurship Training.
- Select the province where the course will be held.
- Choose the KOSGEB directorate from the adjacent box. Large provinces may have multiple directorates, while smaller provinces typically have one.
- Select the preferred course start and end dates from the available options, which are the official course dates announced by KOSGEB.
- After choosing these options, the course location address and course description will appear below.
Business Idea Information: This section is where you enter details about the intended business.
- Select the province and district where the business will be established.
- Describe the planned business activity.
- If you have prior experience related to the business idea, describe it here.
- Select the estimated timeframe for establishing the business.
- If you plan to employ staff, indicate the number of employees.
- Enter the required capital to start the proposed business.
- Enter the amount of capital you personally have available.
After completing the online form on e-Government, save the application. KOSGEB will review submitted applications and notify eligible applicants whether their application has been accepted for training based on available capacity.
Submitting the Form Directly to a KOSGEB Directorate
You can also apply directly to a KOSGEB provincial directorate. The application form for the Applied Entrepreneurship Training Participant can be downloaded in Word format from the official website to fill on a computer or printed and completed by hand. Alternatively, you can request a printed form from KOSGEB directorates. The paper form is prepared with blank fields for required information.
- Address the form to the KOSGEB directorate where you intend to take the course and indicate the relevant province in the form header.
- Sign and date the form in the space under the statement “I request to participate in KOSGEB Applied Entrepreneurship Training.”
- In the entrepreneur information section, fill in full name, Turkish ID number, entrepreneur status (choices include ages 18–29, female, veteran, disabled, relative of a martyr, or other), mobile phone, address, email, date of birth, gender, and education level.
- In the business idea section, provide the business idea description, planned company establishment timeframe, province and district of operation, any relevant experience, number of employees to be hired, required capital, and available equity.
After filling and signing, submit the application form to the relevant KOSGEB directorate. Unemployed applicants should also apply to İŞKUR.
Course Process and Training Content
KOSGEB evaluates business plans and awards grants, so the purpose of these courses is to teach participants how to prepare a solid business plan. The 32-hour training covers how to develop a business plan; during the course, participants present their business ideas to instructors after learning the required steps and methods. To qualify for the certificate and future support applications, participants must attend regularly and complete assigned homework.
Participants who pass the final exam receive their certificates about a month after course completion at a ceremony. With this certificate, successful participants can apply for grant support and KOSGEB loans available to new entrepreneurs. The certificate can also be used to obtain incentive loans from state banks such as Halkbank, VakıfBank, and Ziraat Bank.
What Are the Application Requirements for KOSGEB Courses?
Who can apply? KOSGEB courses are generally open to everyone over the age of 18, including men and women. People receiving social assistance, employees in private companies with insurance, voluntary insured persons, and civil servants can all participate. While some courses may set age criteria such as 18–35, most courses are broadly accessible. Because demand can be high and course quotas are often limited to around 20–30 participants, applicants may be subject to written or oral interviews. A short interview asks participants about their reasons for attending and their entrepreneurial intent.
These evaluations aim to select candidates who truly have an entrepreneurial spirit and realistic business ideas. Interviewers seek to understand whether the applicant has the qualities of an entrepreneur, why KOSGEB should invest in them, and to assess their knowledge, experience, vision and mission.
A scoring system is used to select participants for the Applied Entrepreneurship Training. Applicants who are women, veterans, relatives of martyrs, disabled, young, or whose business ideas involve production may receive higher scores and be more likely to be accepted. It is not mandatory to apply for new entrepreneur support with the same business idea listed on the course application; a different business idea may be used when applying for support.
The certificate obtained at the end of the course is valid for life. Entrepreneurs who successfully complete the training can apply to the New Entrepreneur Support and other KOSGEB grant and interest-free loan programs using this certificate.