Iranian startups which have grown exponentially over the past few years are getting socially responsible. The firms with help from tech enthusiasts have launched campaigns to help the needy.
In a move applauded by tech enthusiasts, a donation campaign was held on the sidelines of the 11th Iran Web and Mobile Festival (Feb. 14-15) to help equip a school in Shirabad, in the deprived Sistan and Baluchestan Province in the southwestern corner.
Tapping into the potential of social media, event organizers report that 430 million rials ($3,300) have been collected in donations through a local charitable website 2nate (pronounced "donate" in Persian).
Reza Olfatnasab, head of Iran E-Commerce Union, and managing director of the IWMF visited the school in Shirabad this week. Part of the money has already been used for renovating and equipping classrooms, he wrote on Twitter.
“With help from founders and owners of leading startups, we are trying to create a foundation to show that startups and online firms (also) have an obligation to the society. Our aim and intention is to contribute to the development of economically-deprived regions,” Olfatnasab says.
The healthcare product company 'Firouz' and online translation service provider 'Transnet' also took part and sent gifts to poor students of the school.
Iranian startups move towards becoming a social conscience has not been limited to the abovementioned cases.
A local startup providing online laundry service (Zood Shoor, meaning fast wash in Persian), has launched a donation campaign.
In a statement, it called on the public to send their unused clothes to the company; "ZoodShoor will distribute the clothes to the needy after washing and ironing."
For participating in the campaign people can dial 021-22963100. The ZoodShoor team will collect the unwanted apparel at the time and place convenient to the donors.
