On December 10-11, 2025, Istanbul will once again host Take Off Istanbul Startup Summit — one of Europe’s most dynamic gatherings for founders, investors, corporates, and innovators shaping the next wave of global tech. Now in its 8th edition, the summit brings together the full spectrum of the startup ecosystem for two days of insights, connections, and breakthrough opportunities.
Registration for visitors is now open. Secure your spot at Take Off Istanbul 2025 and be part of one of Europe’s most vibrant startup events.
About Take Off
Since its launch in 2018, Take Off has grown into a high-impact platform where cross-border collaboration and real investment outcomes happen at scale. To date, the summit has featured 935+ participating startups, 550+ mentors and investors, 5,500+ 1:1 meetings, and over $1.8B in awards and secured investments.
What happened in 2024
Last year’s edition, held at the Istanbul Expo Center, welcomed investors from 25 countries and startups from 23 countries. Leading voices from the global tech industry, including Tejpaul Bhatia from Axiom Space, Kojo Boakye from Meta, and Jeff Jo from Samsung Türkiye, shared insights on artificial intelligence, sustainability, digital transformation, and the future of innovation. More than 200 startups connected with VC and LP investors managing over $1.5B in funds, opening new financing and partnership opportunities.
What to expect in 2025
Pre-summit experiences on December 9
The 2025 summit arrives with an expanded program designed to deliver even more value. On December 9, the Pre-Summit day will feature Founder Day, offering masterclasses, closed-door roundtables, and curated 1:1 meetings, as well as Investor Prelude, an exclusive networking evening for global investors.
Main summit highlights on December 10-11
The main summit will take place on December 10-11 at the Istanbul Expo Center, bringing together 500+ startups, 200+ investors, including VCs, angels, and LPs, and more than 70 institutions ready to explore collaboration opportunities. A dedicated $1 million investment pool will help exceptional teams accelerate their next stage of growth, while expo zones, pitch stages, and thematic sessions will give participants a chance to explore breakthrough technologies firsthand.
From AI and sustainability to fintech, deeptech, defence, and space innovation, Take Off Istanbul 2025 gathers the ideas and leaders shaping tomorrow’s global tech landscape. Whether you're a founder scaling internationally, an investor seeking high-quality dealflow, or an innovation leader tracking global trends, the summit offers tailored content for every experience level.
