Garanti BBVA Joins Forces With Türkiye's Leading University Technoparks to Drive Entrepreneurship
Garanti BBVA has signed memorandums of understanding (MoU) with Bilkent Cyberpark, İTÜ ARI Teknokent, and ODTÜ Teknokent to connect technology startups with financial expertise, mentorship, and global networks. The partnerships will offer entrepreneurs multilayered support—from financial literacy training and acceleration programs to tailored banking solutions.
The MoUs aim to strengthen the financial and operational capacity of technology-based startups, raise the financial literacy and investment readiness of firms based in the technoparks, give entrepreneurs a competitive edge globally through the Garanti BBVA Partners Tech Acceleration Program, and facilitate investor meetings. Entrepreneurs will also gain access to concrete financing tools—advantageous loans, letters of guarantee, and specialized banking packages—designed to support growth directly.
The signing ceremonies took place with the participation of Bilkent Cyberpark General Manager Faruk İnaltekin, İTÜ ARI Teknokent General Manager Prof. Dr. Attila Dikbaş, ODTÜ Teknokent General Manager Serdar Alemdar, and Garanti BBVA Executive Vice President Sibel Kaya—first with İTÜ ARI Teknokent at Istanbul Technical University on April 7, then with ODTÜ Teknokent and Bilkent Cyberpark on April 9.
Kaya said the partnerships reflect Garanti BBVA’s longstanding commitment to the entrepreneurship ecosystem, adding that the bank sees its role as going beyond financing to encompass guidance and long-term partnership. “We believe it is critical for entrepreneurs to have access not only to financing but also to the right knowledge, strong networks, and global opportunities,” she said. “Technology startups emerging from Türkiye will transform into powerful success stories on a global scale.”
A multidimensional model for entrepreneurs
Under the MoUs, Garanti BBVA will deliver financial literacy and investment-readiness training—both online and in person—covering areas such as cash flow management, balance sheet analysis, valuation methods, and investor-pitch preparation. Startups working in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, payment technologies, and sustainability will be channeled toward the Partners Tech Acceleration Program, with knowledge and expertise shared during mentorship and evaluation stages. The bank will also offer technopark firms a dedicated banking model with differentiated support ranging from access to financing to cash management.
Concrete steps to empower entrepreneurs
Partners Tech has supported nearly 60 technology startups to date, with total investment raised exceeding $40 million. The program provides mentorship, collaboration opportunities, training, PR support, and corporate know-how. Garanti BBVA also serves as the main Türkiye partner of Techstars, one of the world’s largest early-stage investment and acceleration platforms, giving local entrepreneurs stronger access to global mentorship networks, investors, and international markets. The bank continues to connect entrepreneurs with international ecosystems through initiatives such as Global Expansion Day.