US company Uber announced on Friday that it plans to set up its fourth global technology centre outside the United States in Istanbul; its other three are in Brazil, India and the Netherlands.
In his keynote, Dara Khosrowshahi described Istanbul as “one of the most extraordinary cities in the world, full of energy, creativity and connection”, saying: “Our goal from the start was simple: to make it easier for people to move around their cities. But that mission quickly became a bigger story — a story of progress and partnership in transformation.” He added that 95% of Istanbul’s taxis now use the Uber app, and the company will soon reach its hundredth (million) trip in Türkiye.
“Today Türkiye has become a global model for the digital use of taxis,” Khosrowshahi said. He also highlighted Uber’s recent investment in the delivery platform Trendyol Go as an important step for the growth of Türkiye’s delivery and transport sector.
Stressing local talent, Uber’s CEO said: “At Uber, we believe innovation starts with people. Türkiye has some of the brightest and most dynamic tech talent in the world.” He announced that the new centre will initially start with 180 engineers, designers, data specialists and technologists who joined Uber through the Trendyol Go acquisition, and who are already working on global delivery and logistics projects.
“We will invest more than USD 200 million in the Istanbul technology centre. This means that from now on Türkiye will play a central role in developing the technologies that move people, goods and economies around the world.”
