Dijitalpark Teknokent operates within a high-rise building located in the Ataşehir district of Istanbul, previously used as the headquarters of a public bank. While the upper floors of this high-rise are occupied by various "start-up" companies and firms focused on innovation through rental agreements, the base of the structure has been reserved as an "Incubation Center."
What is an Incubation Center?
An incubation center is an institutional structure that supports entrepreneurs in bringing their business ideas to life and scaling them. These centers provide financial, technical, managerial, and mentorship assistance, helping new entrepreneurs develop sustainable and successful business models. Typically established by universities, technoparks, or government agencies, incubation centers offer resources such as office spaces, hardware, software, training programs, and networking opportunities. Their primary goal is to transform innovative business ideas into successful enterprises.
The Incubation Center aims to provide participants with strategic and value-added monitoring and business consultancy within a shared office-workspace environment. The International Business Innovation Association (InBIA) defines incubation centers as programs that nurture the development of entrepreneurial ventures, helping them survive and grow during their most vulnerable startup phase. Another definition views incubation centers as organizational structures, often established with the support of economic development agencies, designed to accelerate and support entrepreneurial growth.
Incubation centers can be described as "entrepreneurial factories" where high-value business ideas are brought to life, backed by the infrastructure and knowledge base necessary for longevity. Universities, through their technoparks, serve as bridges between academic knowledge, technical and physical resources, and qualified human capital, sharing these with the private sector. Technoparks enable technology-intensive companies to collaborate with universities, fostering innovation and accelerating both local and national development. Within this atmosphere, incubation centers benefit from this synergy, providing value to both entrepreneurs and the community. As indicated in the literature, incubation centers established under the auspices of universities positively impact entrepreneurial ventures and business ideas.
Dijitalpark Teknokent Incubation Center
In line with the general purpose and context of the Incubation Center, the potential for innovative breakthroughs resulting from the interaction between entrepreneurial actors and their internal dynamics is increased through social collaboration and open cooperation. Therefore, numerous shared-use areas have been designed to foster interaction between institutions and actors, facilitating the exchange of work-related activities. These shared spaces also aim to attract interest and curiosity from different disciplines by opening up certain specialized events. The spaces—such as the Event Amphitheater, Seminar Hall, Library, Open Workspaces, and Hobby Room—are designed with flexible transitions, avoiding rigid boundaries between them. As a result, users find themselves flowing through a series of interconnected spaces throughout the workday.
To break the chaotic and monotonous nature that work intensity can bring, certain design elements have been made more generic and ergonomic, enhancing their motivational appeal. On the other hand, areas requiring high concentration have been isolated with clearer boundaries, transforming them into semi-private spaces for specific tasks.
The interior design language aligns with the graphic identity of Dijitalpark Teknokent, featuring refined solutions that evoke a sense of openness and calm through natural material compositions. This approach, while maintaining its distinct character, allows users to remain connected to their environment without feeling detached, fostering sustained engagement with the space.