With government support, several new tech projects have been inaugurated in the southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchestan to boost its startup ecosystem.
During a Tuesday visit to the province, Sorena Sattari, vice president for science and technology, launched tech centers and conferred with provincial managers.
According to the vice presidential office's website Isti.ir, Sattari launched the construction of an innovation factory, which is to be developed in a 2-hectare area. It is expected to complete by the end of the current Iranian year (March 2021).
When completed, the factory is to become a shared working place for tech firms and startups, as it gathers mentors, technical and legal advisors and accelerators, providing multi-dimensional support for tech units.
The other project unveiled was the first phase of a tech park at the University of Medical Sciences and Health Services in Zahedan, the provincial center of Sistan-Baluchestan.
The whole project will expand through an 8.8-hectare area, of which 1.4 hectare was launched in the first phase.
According to the report, some 10 knowledge-based companies and startups are currently active in the university, three of which have already moved into the newly-established part of the park.
As the university, the park is mainly focused on health and medical fields, facilitating the growth of innovative ideas and research projects.
A technology complex called Nogam (meaning fledgling in Persian) was also the other project launched by Sattari during his provincial visit. The complex covers 6,200 square meters of area and has the capacity to house around 45 knowledge-based companies and startups.
The other project unveiled was the first phase of a tech park at the University of Medical Sciences and Health Services in Zahedan, the provincial center of Sistan-Baluchestan
Creative House is the name of the last project launched in the province. As a joint initiative of the vice presidential office and Iran's Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Ministry, the center is to gather entrepreneurs and startup teams working on the publicity, marketing and distribution of local handmade arts to domestic and foreign customers.
Empowerment programs, mentoring schemes and art consultancy services have also been lined up for enthusiastic tech units.
Later the same day, Sattari told provincial managers and officials that the provincial office has been working on expansion of technology ecosystem in the province in the past several years.
Pointing to the fact that the talented and motivated young generation is a valuable treasure in the province, Sattari said creating innovation-based job opportunities can push the technology ecosystem toward completion.
“The efforts are to introduce the unique capabilities of entrepreneurs and the untapped potentials of the province to decision-makers and economy insiders,” he said.
“In the past seven years, promising steps have been taken for developing the country’s technology ecosystem and knowledge-based economy. Still, the untapped potential in every region is far beyond the current attainments. The elite and entrepreneurial young generation can do big things.”
The vice president noted that Iran’s tech ecosystem is a perfectly suitable field for investment, calling for private entities and sponsors to consider the opportunity and help the local technology flourish.
“The government’s financial resources are limited and cannot be counted on to extend unbridled support. State loans and grants can help promote tech units grow,” he added.
Later on the same day, Sattari visited the province’s tech park and an exhibition of innovative items developed by the park’s knowledge-based companies.
Nationwide Efforts
Extending support to new startups and technology firms has been on the government's agenda since 2013 when President Hassan Rouhani began his first term in office.
Over the past few years, numerous tech parks and innovation factories have been established throughout the country to offer shared workspace for tech units.
Currently, there are seven tech parks in Tehran Province, most of which are backed by major Iranian universities, including Tarbiat Modares University, University of Tehran, Sharif University of Technology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University and Islamic Azad University.
These tech parks carry the name of universities backing them.
Innovation factories in Tehran, such as Azadi and Highway, have also attracted numerous tech teams and startups.
Azadi Innovation Factory was launched in August 2018 at an abandoned chemicals factory near Azadi Square, west of Tehran. The center is backed by the Vice Presidential Office for Science and Technology and is managed by Sharif University of Technology.
Highway, the capital's second innovation factory, is under construction. The factory is being established in an old building near Nobonyad Square on the northeastern flank of Tehran.
Tehran is not alone in its push for establishing innovation factories and tech parks. Numerous centers have also been launched across Iran.
Innovation factories are to be launched in Iranian metropolises by the vice presidential office to expand the startup and knowledge-based ecosystems.
According to Qaderifar, innovation factory projects in the provinces of Khorasan Razavi and East Azarbaijan are almost complete and will become operational shortly.
“Tabriz in East Azarbaijan will get its third innovation factory when its construction project is completed,” he said.
"Feasibility studies are underway in Fars, Isfahan and Yazd provinces for introducing similar projects."
Qaderifar noted that the new projects resemble innovation factories in Tehran, namely Azadi and Highway.
“Provincial projects have also been established in abandoned factories to keep the projects cost-efficient,” he said.
The Roads and Urban Development Ministry, municipalities and governorates in the host cities are assisting the vice presidential office in implementing these projects.
At the innovation factories, startups and knowledge-based companies find legal, technical and financial support to develop their activities.
Given the avowed pledge of extending full support to those who are active in the tech ecosystem, Iran is expected to make its mark on the international stage.
