Innovation and air shows shine at TEKNOFEST

Turkish Police Special Operations teams perform at TEKNOFEST, Istanbul, 17 September, 2025
Reuters

TEKNOFEST opened its doors on Wednesday (17 September) at Istanbul Ataturk Airport, bringing together technology lovers, innovators, and entrepreneurs.

The event is organised by the Turkish Technology Team Foundation and Türkiye’s Industry and Technology Ministry, with the support of dozens of government agencies, private sector partners, and universities.

At the opening ceremony, Selçuk Bayraktar, Chairman of the TEKNOFEST Board of Directors, highlighted the significance of innovation.

“At TEKNOFEST, we don't just see brilliant ideas and new inventions. We also see the skilled hands and minds that turn those ideas into steel, code, and products. Every single project in these competitions is a harbinger of the technology companies that will shape tomorrow's world.”

Turkish Police Special Operations teams perform on a helicopter with flags during Turkiye's premier technology and aerospace event TEKNOFEST, organized under the leadership of the Turkish Ministry of Industry and Technology and Turkiye Technology Team Foundation, at Istanbul Ataturk Airport in Istanbul, Turkiye, on 17 September 2025
Reuters

Since its launch in 2018, TEKNOFEST has grown into one of the world’s leading technology events. This year’s programme features 58 main competition categories and 137 subcategories, offering a platform for participants to showcase their knowledge and breakthroughs.

Visitors are welcomed not only with competitions, but also with air shows, immersive simulation areas, workshops, exhibits, a planetarium, trade fair activities, and even student flight events—all designed to inspire the next generation of innovators.

The festival will continue through to Sunday, and admission is free for those who apply via the official TEKNOFEST website.

Traditionally, the event takes place in Istanbul during odd-numbered years and in other Turkish cities during even-numbered years. It has also expanded abroad, with editions hosted in Azerbaijan and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Just last month, TEKNOFEST’s maritime edition, Blue Homeland, was held in Istanbul.

Last year’s festival in the southern city of Adana attracted around 1.1 million visitors, pushing total attendance to nearly 11 million since its inception.

Istanbul says it's again become the epicentre of technology, innovation, and inspiration, as TEKNOFEST continues to soar higher each year.
 

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