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Insights from the Global Expansion with Government Support & Grants Masterclass w/ Başar Kaya
Mar 02, 2026 Past Events Event Recap

Insights from the Global Expansion with Government Support & Grants Masterclass w/ Başar Kaya

Başar Kaya shares practical insights on using government grants and incentives as strategic tools for global expansion, risk mitigation, and sustainable startup growth.

Başar’s path has been defined by his 16 years of expertise in navigating grant and incentive mechanisms for technology companies and startups. Having founded his consultancy firm a decade ago to guide hundreds of ventures, Başar has spent the last two years living in Finland, managing the global expansion of a tech company. This deep expertise merges a mastery of complex regulations with a strategic vision that transforms bureaucratic hurdles into a powerful leverage for entrepreneurs. 

For startups facing the growing pains of global expansion, Başar defines government support not just as a "source of cash," but as a strategic tool to mitigate operational risks. Throughout the workshop, he emphasized the critical need to distinguish between grants (non repayable), incentives (tax relief), and loans (repayable). He noted that the most efficient way to scale globally while staying rooted in Turkey is through Technoparks, Tekmers, or R&D Centers, demonstrating through concrete examples how these structures can provide a cost advantage of approximately 120,000 TL per month per employee. 

Today, Başar advises entrepreneurs: "Do not fear bureaucracy, but do not rely on it as your sole lifeline." While covering a wide range of opportunities from TÜBİTAK’s R&D focused funds (1507, 1501, 1512) to the Ministry of Commerce’s software export supports he shared how reimbursements of up to 60% on advertising expenses serve as a vital lifeline for mobile app and game developers in global competition. In his view, the healthiest financial structure for a startup is a hybrid model that uses investor capital (smart money) for operational speed and government grants to minimize R&D risks. 

Looking toward the future, Başar highlighted the importance of "National Participation" supports for global flagship events like Slush, CES, and Web Summit. He also emphasized bridge programs like the SISU Accelerator for Turkish startups eager to experience the Finnish ecosystem firsthand. 

"Securing government support is not an end in itself; it is a tool to finance your growth journey. If you frame a project solely to get money, you will likely fail," said Başar, offering this message to masterclass participants: 

"Do not get lost in the dense language of regulations; focus on your business and ensure your expenses are processed through your Turkish entity. The best incentive is the one that is most accessible and aligns with your existing business plan. In the world of 2026, building technology isn't enough; you must pocket the cost advantage during production and convert it into an advertising budget for the global market. Success is not about your proximity to the capital city; it’s about your mastery of the regulations and priority R&D areas."


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