KOSGEB, Türkiye’s SME development agency, opened the third 2026 application round of its Capacity Development Support Programme on August 22. Applications close September 15, 2026, and are submitted through the e-Devlet portal into the KOSGEB system. The scope is broad: eligible spending runs from machinery and equipment to software, personnel, and working capital, with a credit ceiling reaching 20 million TL.
For SMEs active in manufacturing, computer programming, consulting, IT infrastructure, data processing, hosting, and R&D, this is a concrete financing route for digitalization spending. This article covers the programme’s scope, eligibility, and specifically where software and ERP investment fit.
Who the programme covers and what it offers
The Capacity Development Support Programme is one of KOSGEB’s financing tools for SMEs with growth potential. It works by layering a non-repayable financing contribution from KOSGEB on top of a commercial bank loan the business takes out — the SME draws the loan through a bank, and KOSGEB covers a defined portion as a grant-equivalent points.
The sectors named in the official announcement are manufacturing, telecommunications, computer programming, consulting, IT infrastructure, data processing, hosting, and research & development activities. That spans production facilities, software companies, consulting firms, and R&D centers alike.
Throughout 2026, KOSGEB has run several distinct programmes: the COP31 Focused Acceleration Support, for instance, targets clean-energy and climate-technology stakeholders affiliated with TEKMER/technopark structures, while the Capacity Development Support Programme covers a much wider sector range and general growth/digitalization spending. If a business fits more than one programme’s profile, which one better matches the actual need should be clarified before applying — the same investment generally cannot be submitted to two programmes at once, so checking with the relevant KOSGEB provincial office is worthwhile.
Eligibility requirements
The core conditions KOSGEB has published are:
- Registered and active in the KOSGEB database
- Holding a current KOSGEB Business Declaration
- Classified as a small or medium-sized enterprise under Turkish Commercial Code definitions
- Meeting KOSGEB’s “fast-growing enterprise” criteria
The last point is the one worth clarifying before applying: KOSGEB defines fast growth using measures such as revenue or employment increase, and the exact thresholds sit in the programme’s current application guide — so confirming them via KOSGEB’s official page or a KOSGEB advisor before applying is advisable. Businesses holding a Technogirişim Badge, or acting as a stakeholder under a supplier-development protocol, are exempt from the fast-growth requirement — an important door for early-stage, technology-based companies that haven’t yet posted high revenue growth.
Eligible expense items
The programme touches several stages of a transformation project rather than a single investment type:
| Expense item | Scope |
|---|---|
| Machinery, equipment, and molds | Investments that expand production capacity |
| Software | ERP, production management, data/analytics, and similar enterprise software costs |
| Personnel | Employment costs tied to the project |
| Purchased services | Training, consulting, design, certification, marketing, industrial property rights |
| Working capital | Working capital needs for running the project |
That software and purchased-services are listed as separate line items is notable: the programme isn’t limited to “steel and machinery” investment — it’s also open to enterprise software adoption and consulting support.
Credit limits and repayment terms
| Category | Credit ceiling |
|---|---|
| Fast-growing enterprise / Technogirişim Badge holder | 20 million TL |
| Suppliers active in defense, aerospace, and space | 30 million TL |
The project/implementation period under the programme is 24 months, and the loan term is 36 months. KOSGEB covers 20 points of the loan amount used as non-repayable financing support; the loan can also be drawn with a Credit Guarantee Fund (KGF) surety. According to figures KOSGEB has published, prior rounds reached 3,938 SMEs with 64 billion TL in access, of which 2,457 SMEs actually drew down 33.2 billion TL — a useful indicator of both the programme’s reach and its real utilization rate.
Where software and digitalization spend fit in
For most SMEs, the real barrier to a digitalization decision isn’t choosing the technology — it’s the upfront cost. ERP rollouts, the integration layer that collects shop-floor data, or analytics projects usually follow a “budget first, then plan” sequence, and that sequencing is what delays the decision.
Because the Capacity Development Support Programme defines software cost as its own line item, part of an ERP and digital infrastructure investment can potentially overlap with this financing. Similarly, the consulting support sitting under the purchased-services item is a usable channel for businesses that want to open the project with a digital maturity assessment. Exactly which item, at what rate and under what condition an SME can draw is clarified during the KOSGEB application itself; this article only sets out the general framework and isn’t a guarantee of eligibility.
In practice, the sequence that tends to work is: the business first identifies which processes — production planning, inventory, finance, supply chain — are creating data silos, then scopes the software/integration needed to address that, and only then maps that scope onto the support programme’s budget line items. When the budget is fixed before the software scope is defined, the risk of a mismatch between scope and eligible expense item goes up — which is why doing the technical planning before preparing the application is the safer order.
Pre-application checklist
Points worth confirming before submitting:
- Is the KOSGEB database registration and business declaration current?
- Does the business meet KOSGEB’s fast-growth criterion, or does it qualify for the exemption (Technogirişim Badge / supplier-development protocol)?
- Are the requested expense items (machinery, software, personnel, purchased services, working capital) clearly budgeted?
- Are the documents needed for the bank loan application and KGF surety process ready?
- Has the project been planned against the 24-month implementation calendar?
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for the KOSGEB Capacity Development Support Programme?
Businesses registered and active in the KOSGEB database, with a current business declaration, classified as small or medium-sized, and meeting KOSGEB’s fast-growth criterion can apply. Businesses holding a Technogirişim Badge, or that are stakeholders under certain supplier-development protocols, are exempt from the fast-growth requirement.
When does the application window close?
The third 2026 round opened on August 22, 2026 and closes September 15, 2026. Confirming the exact date and any possible extension via kosgeb.gov.tr is recommended.
Can software/ERP investment be funded through this programme?
The programme lists “software costs” as a distinct eligible expense item, which means ERP and similar enterprise software investments can potentially be considered within scope. Exact eligibility and amount are determined by KOSGEB during the application review.
How much support is available, and are there repayment terms?
The credit ceiling is 20 million TL for fast-growing enterprises and Technogirişim Badge holders, and 30 million TL for defense/aerospace/space suppliers. KOSGEB covers 20 points of the loan drawn as non-repayable financing support; the remaining portion of the loan is repaid to the bank over a 36-month term.
Is consulting support needed to prepare the application?
It isn’t mandatory, but preparing the application file with the right expense items and a realistic digitalization plan tends to smooth the approval process. The purchased-services item under the programme already covers consulting costs; digital transformation consulting can be used at this stage for a pre-application needs assessment.
Tracking KOSGEB’s support mechanisms and tying them to a concrete digitalization roadmap takes time most SME teams don’t have spare. İkiz Eksen runs the measure–software–compliance chain across Türkiye, drawing on Qera’s track record of 550+ customers and 100+ ERP projects delivered turnkey. If you’d like to connect a Capacity Development application to a digitalization plan, you can request a conversation via contact.
Sources
The figures, dates, and conditions in this article reflect sources current as of 2026-08-31; confirm current terms via kosgeb.gov.tr before applying.