Support for Iranian startups and knowledge-based companies had been high on the agenda of the former president, Hassan Rouhani, during his eight-year tenure that started in 2013.
Government officials never missed an opportunity in naming the startup ecosystem as Iran’s business of future that would be able to curb the country’s reliance on the sale of natural resources.
To bolster the sector, loan and aid packages were rolled out by state agencies over the years.
According to IRNA, the latest financial help has been granted to entrepreneurs in Markazi Province's Science and Technology Park.
Mohammad Rafiei, the park's director, said the park has been granted 210 billion rials ($758,000) in the budget bill of the fiscal 2021-22. The funds will be used to provide low-interest loans to small tech enterprises.
The amount of state budget allocation to the park did not reach 96 billion rials ($346,500) last year and it was only 35 billion rials in 2017, he added.
Rafiei noted that an additional 82 billion rials ($296,000) from the Vice Presidential Office for Science and Technology, as well as 10 billion rials ($36,100) from provincial resources, have been allocated to help enhance the local technology sector.
Over 800 innovative teams and knowledge-based firms are currently based in the province's tech park that spans 8,500 square meters. It includes shared workspace, labs, conference rooms and workshop facilities.
Rafiei highlighted the park's growth plans, saying that in the near future, it will be able to provide more acceleration services and facilities to the increasing number of startups.
In line with the same efforts, the Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research in the western province of Lorestan has recently paid 20 billion rials ($72,000) in loans to fledgling startups.
Amin Salahvarzian, the center’s caretaker, told reporters that over 60 startups and tech firms are under ACECR’s direct support in the province.
“Lorestan’s tech park and university-based tech centers now accommodate over 27 knowledge-based companies and hundreds of fledgling startups, all of which can bolster their activities with the state’s continuous support,” he added.
INIF Support
The government-backed Iran National Innovation Fund plans to pay 100 trillion rials ($361 million) in loans to fledgling technology firms via banking system in the current Iranian year (started March 20).
According to Ali Vahdat, the head of the fund, the amount of allocation has been increasing in recent years, rising from 30 trillion rials ($108.3 million) in 2019-20 to 50 trillion rials ($180.5 million) in 2020-21.
This year’s expected amount is 100% higher than the cumulative loans paid out last year.
In an earlier meeting with Bank Saderat Iran CEO Hojjatollah Seydi, Vahdat presented an overview of the fund’s total capital for the current year.
“The government plans to inject 10 trillion rials [$36.1 million] into the fund's coffers in the coming months, according to the 2021-22 budget bill. An additional $200 million are supposed to be transferred to INIF from the National Development Fund, the sovereign wealth fund,” Vahdat said.
“The banking system will assist the institution by continuing to offer help packages to budding tech firms before the two sources send funds to INIF.”
Four local banks, namely Bank Saderat Iran, Bank Tejarat, Bank Mellat and Bank Ayandeh, will provide the expected loan sum.
Vahdat noted that Bank Saderat's share would amount to 3 trillion rials ($10.8 million).
Seydi stated that his bank is ready to extend its share of the loan and hoped that the seed capital will be of assistance to new entrepreneurs and tech companies.
“The bank plans to reduce the loan application process for Tehran-based applicants to seven days and other cities to 30 days if all necessary documents are submitted with their application,” he added.
To relieve the burden on businesses, Seydi noted that the financial aid would be paid without any interest.
Last Year’s Lending
Iran National Innovation Fund is the state’s arm for providing the growing technology ecosystem with financial aid.
In the last Iranian year (ended March 20, 2021), the fund lent 50 trillion rials ($180.5 million) to knowledge-based businesses.
Vahdat said depending on the scale and field of activity of startups, low-interest loans worth 500 billion rials ($1.8 million) were paid.
“These firms have matured to the point that they know how to invest the money into their development,” he said.
“INIF also held weekend events, during which startups introduced their products and achievements to attract private investors. If they raise 20% of the money they need, the fund will pay the remaining 80%.”
According to Vahdat, the strategy would curb the state’s role in financing the startup ecosystem and help firms become more independent of state support.
INIF has hosted 20 such events in the last Iranian year, connecting 125 startups with 300 investors.
“The fund is turning startup weekends into regular gatherings for tech firms seeking growth. A growing number of tech enthusiasts and talented students are attending these events,” he concluded.
