Going international: a guide for startups from Türkiye

Many startups from Türkiye aim to expand abroad early to scale and reach global investors. Done at the right time with the right preparation, expansion accelerates growth; done in a hurry, it burns resources fast.

When to expand

• You have a repeatable sales channel and retention data at home
• The product is ready to localise for language and payments
• You have validated the customer problem in the target market through interviews

Some models (SaaS, developer tools, games) are global from day one, so early expansion is natural.

Choosing your first market

Consider:

• Market size and purchasing power
• Competition
• Cultural and geographic proximity: the Middle East, Europe and Central Asia are frequent first steps for Turkish startups.
• Regulation: licensing needs in areas such as fintech and health
• Existing customers and network: where are your foreign users already coming from?

Prove success in one market rather than entering many at once.

Setting up a company abroad (a flip)

Startups seeking global funds often set up a parent company in the US (Delaware), the UK or another European country and make the Turkish company its subsidiary. This is called a "flip".

Advantages: a legal system and standard documents global investors know, easier option plans, comfort for buyers at an exit.

Watch out for: set-up and annual compliance costs, tax and transfer pricing in two countries, which company owns the IP, and the effect on Turkish incentives and grants. A flip is usually done when an investor asks for it, with a lawyer and an accountant.

Team and operations

• Someone selling in the target market with a local network is critical.
• Keeping product and engineering in Türkiye saves cost and is a common model.
• Plan payments, invoicing, data protection (such as GDPR in Europe) and support languages in advance.

What global investors expect

• Real customers and growth in the target market
• Clear answers on Türkiye-specific risks (currency, macroeconomics)
• A standard English deck and data room

See our pitch deck guide for global investors and VC funds guide.

Common mistakes

• Translating the product instead of localising it
• Running the market remotely without visiting it
• Deciding on a flip without tax and legal advice
• Spreading across many markets at once

Conclusion

Going international is a tool for growth, not a goal in itself. Start prepared and focused on one market. For export and market-entry support, see our grants and support programmes guide.