Garanti BBVA has announced the five startups selected for the 10th cohort of its Partners Tech Program, the bank’s technology-focused startup acceleration initiative designed to support early-stage companies developing solutions in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and blockchain technologies.
The startups selected for the latest cohort are Eriklabs, Text2Test, Rudiq, Freya, and Fraud.com. Over the next six months, the companies will gain access to mentorship, business collaboration opportunities, and growth support through Garanti BBVA’s startup ecosystem.
The program officially commenced following the completion of the application and jury evaluation process for its tenth edition.
Five Startups Selected Across AI, Cybersecurity, and Blockchain
The selected startups operate across several of the fastest-growing segments of the technology sector, including generative artificial intelligence, financial security, tokenization, and enterprise automation.
Eriklabs develops artificial intelligence-powered solutions that automate software testing operations end-to-end. Its offerings include LLM-powered test automation, performance testing, device testing, and quality assurance consulting designed to help development teams accelerate software delivery and improve testing efficiency.
Text2Test has developed an AI-powered platform that enables users without software engineering expertise to conduct software testing using natural language prompts. The company aims to simplify testing workflows and accelerate product development cycles through AI-assisted automation.
Rudiq focuses on tokenizing real-world assets such as real estate and energy infrastructure using blockchain technology. By enabling fractional ownership models, the company seeks to increase accessibility and liquidity for traditionally illiquid asset classes.
Freya develops LLM-powered conversational voice assistants for enterprise customers. Designed as an alternative to traditional IVR systems, the platform aims to improve customer experience while increasing operational efficiency through more natural and intelligent interactions.
Fraud.com provides identity verification, biometric authentication, transaction monitoring, and fraud orchestration solutions for banks and financial institutions. The platform aims to strengthen digital security while maintaining seamless customer experiences throughout digital onboarding and transaction processes.
A Tailored Approach to Startup Acceleration
The 10th cohort was selected by a jury consisting of investors, academics, venture capital professionals, and technology executives from across Turkey’s startup ecosystem.
Participants in the program will receive office space, tailored mentorship, access to collaboration opportunities with Garanti BBVA and its subsidiaries, marketing and public relations support, educational programs, seminars, and preferential banking products and services.
Sibel Kaya, Executive Vice President at Garanti BBVA, said startups require far more than access to capital to succeed.
“Entrepreneurs do not only need financing. Sometimes they need knowledge, sometimes the right connections, sometimes visibility, and sometimes encouragement,” Kaya said.
“At Partners Tech, we do not offer a standard acceleration model. We recognize that every startup has different needs and therefore adopt a more selective, focused, and tailored approach.”
“In addition to mentorship, education, collaboration opportunities, and our ecosystem network, we also bring Garanti BBVA’s institutional knowledge and expertise to entrepreneurs.”
Kaya noted that the technologies represented in this year’s cohort demonstrate the growing sophistication of Turkey’s startup ecosystem.
“The solutions being developed by this year’s startups, ranging from generative AI and cybersecurity to blockchain technologies and next-generation customer experiences, highlight the level that technology entrepreneurship in Türkiye has reached.”
“We believe technology startups emerging from Türkiye will evolve into strong global success stories, and we are proud to support them on that journey,” she added.
Supporting Technology Entrepreneurship Since 2015
Garanti BBVA has been supporting technology entrepreneurs since 2015 through its Partners startup acceleration platform.
Since its launch, the program has supported 65 technology startups, providing founders with access to mentorship, corporate partnerships, and growth opportunities across the bank’s ecosystem.
The tenth cohort arrives at a time when artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and digital trust technologies are attracting growing investor attention globally, placing many of the selected startups in sectors expected to see significant expansion over the coming years.
Why It Matters
Corporate-backed accelerator programs are becoming increasingly important components of startup ecosystems, particularly in sectors where access to enterprise customers, industry expertise, and regulatory understanding can be as valuable as funding. Garanti BBVA’s continued investment in startup development reflects the growing role financial institutions are playing in shaping Türkiye’s next generation of technology companies.
