Inside Turkey's plan for world's largest startup hub at Ataturk Airport Submitted by Ragip Soylu on Tue, 07/28/2026 - 12:38 The first phase of Terminal Istanbul will launch in August, with US international accelerators, Chinese venture capital firms and Arab investors already seeking space Terminal Istanbul will eventually host hundreds of startups, technology companies and investors, turning the former airport into a new hub for connections (Handout) Off When the car turns on to the side road leading to international departures at Istanbul's now-abandoned Ataturk Airport, the sounds of construction and new red lettering above the entrance stir old memories. Once the beating heart of Istanbul, the vast airport carried millions of passengers to destinations around the world from the 1950s until its closure in 2018. Today, it sits largely empty at the centre of the city's transport network.
Turkish officials are now working to transform it into something entirely different: Terminal Istanbul, which they hope will become the world's largest hub for startups and entrepreneurs. Middle East Eye was granted exclusive access to the project site. The halls that once accommodated passengers, luggage and check-in counters are being redesigned as open-plan offices, meeting rooms, co-working spaces and incubation centres.
The complex will also host international accelerator programmes for companies and investors. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Erkam Tuzgen, chief executive of the Terminal Istanbul initiative, told Middle East Eye that the goal was not merely to establish a hub for technology companies, but to create an ecosystem capable of attracting local and foreign investors, businesses and entrepreneurs. People with innovative ideas and viable roadmaps, he said, would be able to access international mentorship and capital to help them expand into global markets.
Finding new purpose At first glance, the scale of the project is striking. Around 200,000 sqm of terminal buildings will gradually be converted into modern workspaces. The project's first phase is due to become operational next month, opening a 5,000-sqm area to 50 startups and other initiatives.
Officials expect the number to reach 100 by the end of the year. "We have already signed a memorandum of understanding with Techstars, one of the world's largest organisations in the entrepreneur…
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