Efforts are on track in Iranian metropolises to increase tech centers and offer workspace and fiscal support to local startups.
On Saturday, privately-owned Arya Electronic Company signed an agreement with Pardis Technology Park to allocate a share of its properties for launching the third branch of the tech park in east Tehran, Tasnim News Agency reported.
According to Mehdi Saffarinia, the head of the tech park, the new branch, named “Arya” after its sponsor, is spread over 18,000 square meters.
“The new branch of Pardis Tech Park is to be constructed near Iran University of Science and Technology near Narmak. The center would be close to the academia and have access to the subway,” he said.
Pointing to the fact that the area lacks tech teams, he said the Arya center can break the concentration of technology ecosystem from the center and west of the city and help create a balance.
Mehdi Azimian, another official with the park, said the allocated space has the required ICT infrastructures.
“However, it needs restoration and sectioning to operate, which is estimated to take about a year,” he said.
“The center is to accommodate investors, venture capital groups, funds, mentors and consultants to help nurture tech teams and startups.”
Also present at the event, Vice President for Science and Technology Sorena Sattari said the government and the vice presidential office will continue to support tech ecosystem development with maximum capacity.
“The efforts can help tap the potentials of tech enthusiasts and commercialize their ideas,” he said.
Further Expansion
In May 2020, Pardis Tech Park announced plans to establish a center named “Entrepreneurship Pardis”.
The center has 85 sections, including workspace for fledgling and professional startups developing high-tech products, research and development units, laboratories and workshops.
According to the local media, Shams Omran Company is the project contractor that implements the project with consultancy from Tosseh Kalbodi Asia Consulting Engineers. The project is managed by Shora Consulting Engineers Company and financially supported by the vice presidential office.
Amin-Reza Khaleqian, the park’s head of international affairs office, said that when the branch is completed, the total area under the management of Pardis Tech Park will reach 60 hectares.
“The ultimate aim is to extend the park by up to 1,000 hectares and convert the technology park and its branches to an innovation zone,” he said.
Officials at the park believe the center can help establish up to five branches in the capital as innovation factories.
Azadi and Highway are already operating in the park. Azadi Innovation Factory was launched in August 2018 at an abandoned chemicals factory near Azadi Square, west of Tehran. The factory is backed by the vice presidential office and managed by Sharif University of Technology.
Highway, the capital’s second innovation factory, is still under construction but is partially operational. The factory is being established in an old building near Tehran’s Nobonyad Square.
Other Centers
During a trip to Khuzestan Province on Monday, Sattari inaugurated four tech centers.
The first project is an innovation center launched at Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz. Spread over 3,000 square meter, the center is mandated to expedite tech-based activities of the university students and researchers.
Tech aficionados will be provided with mentorship and consultation services to work on their ideas and grow into independent startups.
Sattari also inaugurated a research fund at the Khuzestan Science and Technology Park. Supported by several entities, including the vice presidential office, such funds grant financial aid to the fledgling tech teams.
In addition, two new tech centers: one specialized in the internet of things and the other working on cultural industries, were launched in the tech park.
According to the local authorities, around nine tech teams have already started work at the centers. With their official inauguration, more startups will be absorbed.
During his trip, Sattari made an agreement with Khatam University of Technology in Behbahan City for improving innovation copyright, boosting knowledge-based economy and generating added-value by tapping local tech potentials.
Giving 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.
In line with the policy, numerous accelerators, funds and tech centers around the country have been established to extend resources for the technology ecosystem.
All-Out Support
The government has been making efforts over the past seven years to provide workspace, equipment, technical know-how, commercial and legal consultancy to emerging tech teams.
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.
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.
With the extension of infrastructural and financial support, those who are active in the tech ecosystem are bolstering Iran’s domestic production to end the economy’s reliance on oil revenues and imports, and help overcome sanctions.
