KOSGEB, the Small and Medium Enterprises Development and Support Administration, has been serving the citizens of our country since 1990.
If you have an entrepreneurial spirit and promising ideas but need financial or practical support to bring them to life, you can apply to KOSGEB. These are government-supported credits and grants designed to encourage people to start businesses and contribute to the national economy.
Support Through the Entrepreneurship Course
Applicants who wish to receive support from KOSGEB are first directed to attend the entrepreneurship course offered by KOSGEB. To benefit from financial support, you must participate in this course and obtain the participation certificate. Note that not every region offers the course, so check whether KOSGEB provides training in your area.
The courses offer practical and useful information that helps participants both when establishing a business and during its early operations, improving the chances of staying afloat and becoming profitable. Initially, participants may receive support up to 50,000 TL. The first-stage supports generally do not require repayment. KOSGEB conducts regular checks at each stage, and successfully completing these inspections is essential. The entrepreneurship courses cover topics such as company formation steps, employee rights, and employer responsibilities, all of which are important for long-term success.
KOSGEB provides support credits both to individuals who want to start a new business and to existing SMEs (KOBİs). The institution supports entrepreneurs who open businesses within sectors it covers. You can check whether your planned business activity qualifies for support by consulting the relevant NACE code. It is advisable to verify the NACE code before preparing your business plan because KOSGEB does not support activities outside its covered sectors.
Before applying for KOSGEB support, you should have a clear and prepared business project.
To qualify for support:
- Complete the entrepreneurship training;
- Fill out the required registration forms;
- Prepare and submit the necessary documents;
- Establish the business and submit the support application.
KOSGEB assists anyone who wants to start a business, offering both training and financial support.
Established business owners who wish to receive KOSGEB support should meet the following conditions:
- Operate within a sector supported by KOSGEB;
- Be registered with the relevant professional chamber;
- Be evaluated for any outstanding public debts;
- Have their credit history and creditworthiness reviewed.
KOSGEB’s entrepreneurship course consists of 70 hours of training. These courses are designed to contribute to economic development and to address local development challenges by promoting entrepreneurship nationwide. The programs aim to increase participation in economic life—especially encouraging women to play an active role in the workforce—and to boost employment. All training provided by KOSGEB is free of charge.