KADEM opens Women in Innovation Information Center in Istanbul

The Women and Democracy Foundation (KADEM) has inaugurated the Women in Innovation Information Center in Istanbul to support female entrepreneurs in developing technology-based businesses. Supported by the Istanbul Development Agency (ISTKA), the center offers training, mentorship, business development services, coworking spaces, and access to investor meetings. To assist entrepreneurs with caregiving duties, the facility includes a dedicated childcare room.

During the opening and a subsequent Demo Day event, Industry and Technology Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacır emphasized that women’s participation in science, innovation, and production is essential for national development. He noted that Türkiye leads globally in the proportion of women inventors among international patent applicants.

Minister Kacır also highlighted significant government financial support for women in science and business. Over the last 23 years, the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TÜBITAK) has provided approximately TL 32 billion to 233,000 female researchers, while the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Organization of Türkiye (KOSGEB) has provided TL 23.5 billion to more than 85,000 female entrepreneurs.