Dijitalpark teknokent: Dijitalpark Teknokent, a Turkish technology development zone, has launched the 2025 iteration of its thematic program for financial technologies, named FINEXT, with the aim of improving and supporting local startups. According to Anadolu Agency, the program, which was in high demand last year, aspires to create new fintech 'unicorns' this year. A unicorn is defined as a privately held startup company with a valuation exceeding $1 billion. The press release from Teknokent highlighted that the fintech market reached $218.8 billion last year, while Turkey's fintech market was valued at $194 million in 2024, with over 900 fintech firms. The FINEXT program allows startups to enter an accelerator program designed to develop solutions that will make a global impact in financial technologies. The program offers a 14-week acceleration process specifically tailored for entrepreneurs seeking to commercialize innovative ideas in this sector. Participants in the program benefit from comprehensive opportunities, including mentorship, mini-MBA training, investor meetings, cloud infrastructure support, and access to international collaboration networks. Tahsin Engin, general manager of Dijitalpark Teknokent, emphasized during the opening ceremony that Turkey is evolving into a financial technologies hub with the emergence of new startups. Engin noted that seven unicorns have emerged in Turkey, with a significant portion beginning their journey in tech parks. He also stated that FINEXT, which leads entrepreneurs in developing fintech technologies, will eventually play a crucial role within this ecosystem.