Basaksehir Living Lab

What Basaksehir Living Lab does

Başakşehir Living Lab is a municipally owned innovation and technology center operated under Başakşehir Belediyesi (Başakşehir Municipality) in Istanbul, Turkey. Founded in 2012 as Turkey's first Living Lab and a member of the European Network of Living Labs (ENoLL), it provides an integrated startup support ecosystem for early-stage entrepreneurs, youth, women entrepreneurs, and local SMEs. Its core offering is the Incubation Center (Kuluçka Merkezi), which supplies co-working space, internet infrastructure, an electronics laboratory, 3D printing facilities, a design workshop, and meeting rooms; this is complemented by one-on-one mentorship, investor-matching services with early-stage and angel networks, a Real Experience Environment for product testing with real users, and a recurring training curriculum spanning entrepreneurship, coding, robotics, 3D design, and STEM education. Notable technical assets include interactive presentation technology (Wallrite) for collaborative surfaces up to 7m × 2m and a dedicated sub-brand, Base Espor Merkezi, for e-sports programming.

The business model is freemium and effectively non-commercial: all services are provided free of charge as a municipal public service, with operations funded directly by Başakşehir Municipality rather than through pricing tiers, subscriptions, or external investment. Go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, anchored by the annual Girişimci Günü (Entrepreneur Day) competition and a multi-channel engagement approach combining website, social media (Facebook, Telegram, WhatsApp), monthly newsletters (Bülten), and online training delivery. Distribution is primarily domestic and walk-in at the Başakşehir headquarters, supplemented by self-serve digital channels including an entrepreneur application portal and a certificate verification system.

Strategic positioning rests on three structural advantages: municipal backing from Başakşehir Belediyesi providing direct access to funding, facilities, and policy support; international integration through ENoLL and the EU-funded METABUILDING LABS consortium spanning 13 countries; and a broad institutional partnership stack spanning KOSGEB, Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, Bahçeşehir University, Microsoft, Turkish Telekom, and the Başakşehir District National Education Directorate. Documented impact metrics include 1,000 program graduates, 2,000 events hosted, 1,000+ participants, 600+ projects across Girişimci Günü competitions over seven years, 127 projects from 28 provinces in the 12th edition, and 70 ideas advanced to branding through innovation competitions. Notable alumni outcomes include Workiom (1.9M TL second-round raise from StartersHub and Heaventurestan), Takyon Ai's CoronApp (top 12 of 1,500 at Coronathon Turkey), Berke Dabağ's NASA Mars competition finalist unmanned planetary vehicle, and Talha Kılıç's Antikovid Survival UV-C/ozone sterilization device.

Name

Basaksehir Living Lab

Legal name

Başakşehir Living Lab İnovasyon Merkezi

Website

https://basaksehirlivinglab.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Başakşehir Living Lab is a municipally funded innovation center in Istanbul offering free incubation, mentorship, prototyping labs, investor matching, and training to entrepreneurs, youth, women founders, and SMEs under Başakşehir Municipality since 2012.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Startup Incubation Services

NAICS

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (54)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAEAGAI

Makerspace, Innovation Lab & Fab Lab Operations (Tools, Safety, Programming)

Education/Education Facilities & Support Services/Library, Media Center & Learning Space Operations

SECONDARYEDAHAHAH

Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Venture Creation Centers

Education/Higher Education (Colleges & Universities)/Business Schools & Management Institutes

SECONDARYEDAMADAC

Makerspaces & Fab Labs (Open Build Studios)

Education/Supplemental & Enrichment Programs (Arts, STEM, Language)/Robotics, Engineering & Makerspaces

SECONDARYEDAMAHAA

Entrepreneurship Foundations & Startup Basics

Education/Supplemental & Enrichment Programs (Arts, STEM, Language)/Entrepreneurship & Business Enrichment

Keywords

• Startup incubation services
• Innovation center services
• Entrepreneurship training programs
• Living lab methodology
• Prototype testing facilities

Headquarters

HQ city

istanbul, Başakşehir

HQ country

Türkiye

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Municipal Innovation Services: Free services funded by Başakşehir Municipality as a public innovation and technology center. No direct revenue generation - operates as a government-supported incubation facility providing free access to labs, training, mentorship, and networking for entrepreneurs.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Başakşehir Living Lab operates a municipal innovation and entrepreneurship center that delivers startup incubation, mentorship and business development support, investor matchmaking, laboratory and prototyping services, design support, entrepreneurship training, and an E-Sports center. All services are offered free of charge to entrepreneurs, startups, youth, and women entrepreneurs, financed by Başakşehir Municipality as a public Living Lab facility.

Product overview

Başakşehir Living Lab is a single integrated innovation and technology center operated under Başakşehir Municipality. The organization offers a comprehensive ecosystem of startup support services including an Incubation Center (providing co-working space with 3D printing, electronics lab, and design workshop facilities), Investor Connection services, Mentorship and Business Development Support, Network Development, Real Experience Environment testing facilities, and Entrepreneurship Training programs. The center also operates Base Espor Merkezi (E-Sports Center) as a specialized sub-brand. Founded in 2012 as Turkey's first Living Lab, it is a member of the European Network of Living Labs (ENoLL).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Base Espor Merkezi: E-sports center operated by Başakşehir Living Lab for gaming and e-sports training and competitions.

Products and services

• Incubation Center (Kuluçka Merkezi) Co-working incubation facility providing office space and structured incubation support for entrepreneurs and early-stage startups. Designed for founders seeking an affordable workspace and supportive environment to develop their ventures.
• Investor Connection Service (Yatırımcı ile Buluşturma) Investor matchmaking service that connects incubated startups and entrepreneurs with potential investors and funding sources. Targeted at startups seeking capital to scale their ventures.
• Mentorship and Business Development Support (Mentörlük ve İş Geliştirme Desteği) Mentorship and business development support service providing experienced mentors to guide entrepreneurs on company building, operations, and growth. Targeted at startup founders seeking experienced guidance.
• Network Development Service (İlişki Ağı Geliştirme) Network development service that expands entrepreneurs' professional connections within the broader innovation and startup ecosystem. Targeted at founders seeking partnerships, customers, and ecosystem connections.
• Real Experience Environment (Gerçek Deneyim Ortamı) Real-user testing environment enabling entrepreneurs to validate their products and services with real users in a Living Lab setting. Targeted at founders needing user validation before scaling.
• Laboratory Support (Laboratuvar Desteği) Laboratory support service providing access to an electronics laboratory with circuit analysis and design tools, plus 3D printing and rapid prototyping equipment. Targeted at hardware entrepreneurs, designers, and SMEs needing prototyping resources.
• Design Support Service (Tasarım Desteği) Design support service assisting entrepreneurs and SMEs with product and brand design. Targeted at founders and small businesses seeking design expertise they do not have in-house.
• Entrepreneurship Training (Girişimcilik Eğitimi) Entrepreneurship training programs covering the skills and knowledge needed to launch and run a venture. Targeted at aspiring entrepreneurs, youth, and women entrepreneurs in the Başakşehir district.
• Base Espor Merkezi (E-Sports Center) On-site E-Sports center providing gaming and competitive gaming facilities as part of the Living Lab's broader youth and community engagement programming. Targeted at youth and gaming community participants.

Quantifiable outcome

• 600+ projects participated in Girişimci Günü entrepreneurship days over 7 years
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• European Network of Living Labs (ENoLL)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Başakşehir Living Lab is a member of ENoLL, the European Network of Living Labs, which collaborates with the European Union. This membership connects the organization to a global network of living labs and provides access to international best practices and cross-border innovation projects.
• METABUILDING LABS ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU-funded project where Başakşehir Living Lab serves as consortium partner. The project focuses on helping SMEs in the construction sector discover their innovation potential through a network of testing facilities and living labs across 13 countries.
• Bahçeşehir Üniversitesi Wissen AkademieminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Network and System Specialist training program. Wissen Akademie provides training in computer hardware, server management, virtualization, internet security, firewall, and LAN/WAN technologies using Cisco network products and Microsoft systems in advanced laboratories.
• BAU Alumni Communication UnitminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation agreement signed to support BAU (Bahçeşehir University) graduates in innovation and entrepreneurship through the Living Lab ecosystem.
• Başakşehir MunicipalitycoreOthersBaşakşehir Living Lab operates under Başakşehir Municipality as its parent organization. The municipality provides funding, facilities, and strategic direction for the innovation center.
• KOSGEBminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration discussions mentioned between KOSGEB (Small and Medium Enterprises Development Organization of Turkey) and Başakşehir Living Lab for supporting small businesses.
• Turkish TelekomminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative Technology Days event organized with Turkish Telekom bringing together technology enthusiasts.
• Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ITO)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology cooperation agreement between Başakşehir Municipality and ITO for supporting technology entrepreneurship.
• Başakşehir District National Education DirectoratecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on BATEK (Başakşehir Technology Corridor) project providing entrepreneurship and technology-based education for students, support programs for SMEs, and training for entrepreneurs.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• ODTÜ Teknokent: Middle East Technical University's technology park hosting 400+ companies and providing structured incubation and acceleration services. Comparable as one of Turkey's largest and most established tech incubation hubs.
• ITÜ ARI Teknokent: Istanbul Technical University's technology development zone offering incubation, R&D space, and investor connections to Turkish tech startups. Directly comparable as a major Turkish tech incubation hub serving similar entrepreneur and startup segments.
• Istanbul Teknopark: Istanbul Teknopark Free Zone technology park hosting tech startups and R&D companies, offering tax-advantaged incubation. Comparable as a major Turkish tech incubation and innovation hub in the same Istanbul ecosystem.
• Hacettepe Teknokent: Hacettepe University's technology park providing tech incubation and R&D services in Ankara. Comparable as a Turkish university-affiliated tech incubation hub with similar startup support offerings.
• Yıldız Teknopark: Yıldız Technical University's technology park providing incubation, R&D office space, and acceleration services in Istanbul. Comparable as a Turkish university-affiliated tech incubation hub targeting similar early-stage technology startups.
• Bilkent Cyberpark: Bilkent University's technology park in Ankara offering incubation, accelerator programs, and tech office space. Comparable as a major Turkish university-affiliated tech incubation hub with similar entrepreneurship support services.

Broad incumbents

• Techstars: Global accelerator operating programs worldwide with structured mentorship, funding, and demo days. Comparable as a leading global incubator/accelerator serving similar early-stage technology startups.
• Startupbootcamp: Global accelerator network running structured programs in multiple cities with mentorship, investor access, and demo days. Comparable as an established incubator/accelerator brand, though commercial rather than municipally funded.

Others

• Fab Foundation: Global organization supporting the Fab Lab network of digital fabrication labs. Comparable as the international ecosystem relevant to BLL's prototyping and fab-lab facilities (electronics lab, 3D printing, design workshop).
• European Network of Living Labs (ENoLL): International network of Living Labs collaborating with the European Union, of which BLL is a member. Comparable as the umbrella organization providing the network, EU project pipeline, and methodology framework underpinning BLL's Living Lab operations.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/basaksehirlivinglab

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Basaksehir Living Lab