Iranian universities are expanding their ties with the country’s startup ecosystem through innovation centers and investment in tech parks.
In line with the growing trend, Kharazmi University in Alborz Province recently inaugurated an innovation center in a ceremony attended by Vice President for Science and Technology Sorena Sattari.
According to the vice presidential office’s website Isti.ir, the center is established in one of the university’s administrative buildings.
Sattari said that repurposing the building both saved time, space and money in establishing the tech center and eased access for tech teams.
Currently, 20 knowledge-based firms and 25 startup teams have moved into the center. Officials believe more tech teams will arrive at the center via a public call soon.
“Tech teams settling in the center can use the province’s industrial potentials, especially in the pharmaceutical field, and develop their businesses,” he said.
“Universities should invest in startups and tech solutions that would ensure sustainable growth and provide younger generations with new opportunities. Supporting the talented youth helps them figure out their position in the country’s economy. These talents can help solve national issues.”
Sattari noted that universities supporting the technology ecosystem and establishing tech centers have a great opportunity to absorb private investment.
“For implementing fruitful projects and developing efficient knowledge-based products, private investment can be a solution because state resources are limited,” he said.
Sattari also called on financial institutions and banks to make direct investments in startups, because of which the government has been encouraging the establishment of venture capital funds.
Ilam University Joining the Move
The move to promote the technology ecosystem is not limited to Iranian megacities and such efforts have also been made in the smallest provinces.
During a Tuesday event, University of Ilam in the namesake western province has signed an agreement with the Science Ministry to launch a tech park project in a 30-hectare area.
Science Minister Mansour Gholami acknowledged Ilam University’s initiatives for backing the fledgling tech units and said preparing the infrastructure for the development of different technologies is a prerequisite for promoting a technology ecosystem.
Mohammad Aliakbari, the university’s chancellor, said the proximity of tech parks and academia benefits both sides.
“Tech teams can easily access the academia and professionals for consultation, which can also motivate and inspire students,” he said.
Multidimensional Move
Extending support to new startups and technology firms has been on the government's agenda since 2013 when President Hassan Rouhani started his first tenure.
Over the past few years, numerous tech parks and innovation factories have been established throughout the country to offer shared workspaces and other facilities to 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.
The vice presidential office is developing innovation factories in Iranian metropolises like Isfahan, Shiraz, Mashhad, Tabriz, Arak, Karaj and Yazd to expand the startup and knowledge-based ecosystems.
At the innovation factories, startups and knowledge-based companies find legal, technical and financial support to develop their activities.
With the extension of infrastructural and financial support, knowledge-based firms could propel Iran’s production sector to help end the economy’s oil dependency and overcome sanctions.
