ISTANBUL  

US-based ride-hailing company Uber has announced plans to open a new global technology hub in Istanbul, marking its fourth such center outside the US after Brazil, India and the Netherlands.

The announcement was made during the "Uber Türkiye Global Technology Development and Software Center Launch Event" held at the Esma Sultan Mansion in Istanbul, with the participation of Turkish Industry and Technology Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacir, President of the Presidential Investment and Finance Office Ahmet Burak Daglioglu, Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi and Uber Chief Technology Officer Praveen Neppalli Naga.

After the opening speeches, a memorandum of understanding was signed between Uber and the Presidential Investment and Finance Office to support the company’s investment activities in Türkiye.

With this new hub, Türkiye will assume a strategic role within Uber’s global software development network. The company plans to invest more than $200 million in the Istanbul-based center over the next five years.

Istanbul set to lead Uber's global innovation efforts

During his keynote speech, Uber CEO Khosrowshahi praised Istanbul as "one of the most extraordinary cities in the world — a place of energy, creativity, and connection."

“Our mission was very simple: to make it easier for people to move around in their cities,” he said, recalling the company’s entrance into the Turkish market a decade ago.

“But what began as a mobility solution quickly became something much bigger — a story of progress, a partnership of transformation,” he added.

Noting that 95% of taxis in Istanbul currently use the Uber app, Khosrowshahi said the company is nearing its 100 millionth ride in the Türkiye.

“Today, Türkiye stands as a global benchmark — one of the leading countries in taxi adoption of digital platforms,” he added.

The CEO also highlighted the company's recent investment in Trendyol Go, describing it as a key step in accelerating growth in Türkiye’s delivery and mobility sectors.

'Future of Uber’s innovation will be built in Türkiye'

Emphasizing the impact of local talent on Uber’s decision to expand in Türkiye, Khosrowshahi said: “At Uber, we believe that innovation starts with people,” he said. “Türkiye has some of the brightest, most dynamic technology talent anywhere in the world.”

He said the new hub would initially be staffed by 180 technologists, engineers, designers and data scientists who joined Uber through the Trendyol Go acquisition, and are already contributing to global delivery solutions.

“We will invest more than $200 million in the Istanbul technology hub,” Khosrowshahi announced. “This means that now Türkiye will play a central role in developing technologies that move people, goods, and economies all around the world.”

He also shared plans to collaborate with leading Turkish universities and institutions to support the next generation of engineers, data scientists and product leaders.

“We are honored to partner with the Turkish government, the Ministry of Technology, and the country’s thriving technology ecosystem to make this future a reality,” Khosrowshahi said, thanking the Turkish officials for their support.

Concluding his remarks, he said: “From our very first ride in Istanbul to our 100 millionth trip, Türkiye has been a story of growth, partnership, and progress. And now, with this new technology hub, we are taking that story global. I can proudly say that the future of Uber’s innovation will be built right here in Türkiye.”

Türkiye aims to be global magnet for tech talent

Also speaking at the event, Turkish Industry and Technology Minister Kacir described Türkiye as “a magnet for tech startups, qualified human resources from all over the world.”

Kacir highlighted that Uber's decision to partner with TrendyolGo, along with its fresh announcement to build a tech center in Istanbul is “a clear demonstration of confidence in Türkiye’s capabilities.”

He said Türkiye recently launched the Tech Visa program, aimed at attracting highly skilled individuals from around the world, in a bid to position the country as a global force in technology and innovation.