What Incentives and Support Are Available for Women Entrepreneurs?

 

Both in Türkiye and around the world, the number of companies joining the entrepreneurial ecosystem is increasing day by day. Over the past five years, many new ventures have emerged in sectors such as technology, finance, and fashion. But which institutions provide government support and grant programs specifically designed to help women entrepreneurs succeed?

Women’s entrepreneurship is a distinct and important area within female employment. There are numerous institutions and organizations that aim to encourage women who are starting a business for the first time or who already own a business by facilitating access to finance and offering various incentives.

 

 

What Are the Best Government Incentives for Women Entrepreneurs?

 

For many years, both public institutions and private organizations have been developing incentive packages to support women entrepreneurs in business life. For women entrepreneurs who meet the specified criteria and loan requirements, these incentive programs offer significant opportunities to turn their projects into reality.

Through the “Strong Tomorrows with Our Women Entrepreneurs” initiative, many key institutions continue to provide support, including the Ministry of Family and Social Services, the Ministry of Industry and Technology, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the Social Security Institution (SGK), banks, development agencies, the Credit Guarantee Fund (KGF), the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Organization (KOSGEB), the Agriculture and Rural Development Support Institution (TKDK), and the TOBB Women Entrepreneurs Board.

 

 

KOSGEB Support Programs for Women Entrepreneurs

 

KOSGEB is one of the leading institutions offering support to women entrepreneurs. Grant programs provided through KOSGEB offer preferential terms for women. Within the scope of KOSGEB programs, Halkbank provides loans of up to TRY 350,000 for women entrepreneurs who have newly established a business and whose business age does not exceed six months, and up to TRY 500,000 for those who have already started their businesses.

In addition, Halkbank offers six months of principal repayment-free loans. Under a protocol signed with KOSGEB, women entrepreneurs under the age of 30 may also receive an additional interest-free loan of TRY 125,000.

If the entrepreneur operates in a field requiring a master’s certificate and can document at least three years of work experience in that field, the amount of the interest-free loan may increase up to TRY 300,000.

 

 

What Are the Requirements to Receive KOSGEB Support for Women Entrepreneurs?

 

 

The main conditions for benefiting from the KOSGEB women entrepreneur support program are as follows:

• The applicant must be at least 18 years old.

• The entrepreneur must have real or legal entity status as defined in the Turkish Commercial Code, and the business declaration must be active.

• Before applying for start-up support, the Traditional Entrepreneurship Training must be completed.

• The female entrepreneur must hold at least 50% ownership as a founding partner, and this ratio cannot fall below 50% during the support period.

• Businesses may apply for start-up support within one year from the date of establishment.

• Only businesses operating in sectors supported by KOSGEB are eligible to apply.

• Entrepreneurs or businesses may benefit from this support program only once.

 

 

Required Documents for KOSGEB Women Entrepreneur Support 

 

Applicants for the 2025 KOSGEB Women Entrepreneur Support Program must prepare the following documents prior to application:

• SME Declaration

• SME Information Document

• Chamber of Activity Certificate

• Trade Registry Gazette / Tradesmen Registry Record

• Company Signature Circular

• Signature Declaration

 

 

How to Apply for KOSGEB Women Entrepreneur Support

 

As mentioned earlier, to apply for the 2025 KOSGEB Women Entrepreneur Support Program, applicants must complete entrepreneurship training and successfully pass the exam to obtain a certificate.

Steps to complete the training:

1. Log in to the KOSGEB e-Academy platform using your e-Government credentials.

2. Select the desired course from the “All Trainings” menu or relevant categories.

3. Click on Traditional Entrepreneurship Training.

4. Register for the course by clicking the “Enroll” button.

5. Complete the training videos and take the exam.

6. If you pass the exam successfully, request your Entrepreneurship Certificate via e-Government and print it.

Note: Once the entrepreneurship certificate is obtained, you may proceed with the application process.

 

 

Agriculture and Rural Development Support Institution (TKDK)

 

TKDK is among the institutions supporting women entrepreneurs. Approximately one out of every ten grant recipients under TKDK programs are women investors. Areas supported within the IPARD program include dairy farming, red meat production, poultry farming, egg production, and the processing and marketing of milk and dairy products.

For investments in these areas, TKDK provides grant support ranging from 60% to 80% for women entrepreneurs. Additionally, IPARD-funded investments benefit from VAT and income tax exemptions. Applications can be submitted through the official TKDK website.