Tech Co-Working Spaces Needed

As Iran’s startup ecosystem grows, startups and accelerators are joining in at breakneck speed. 

According to recent statistics, there are currently about 40 accelerators in the country. It is certainly a big step to see the growth of accelerators in Tehran and across Iran.

However, are there other ways to develop Iran’s startup and entrepreneurship scene? How about co-working spaces for new companies and freelancers?

Co-working has become an important segment of the startup industry in recent years as it fills the gap in the market following a young company leaving an accelerator and moving onto further investment. 

Most new internet-based firms are desperate to network with other entrepreneurs and stakeholders in Iran’s local tech scene. 

One of the main drivers for them to enter accelerators is the utilization of dynamic and creative co-working spaces available at accelerators. 

Additionally, this is one way to avoid the high rent for office spaces in Tehran. As such, co-working spaces are attractive to many startups who work with very low budgets in their early years.

There are currently two active co-working spaces in Tehran; Zavie and Finnova.

Finnova is affiliated with the Ayandeh Bank and was launched one year ago at the Amir Kabir University’s Incubator Center on Valiasr Street.

There are currently several teams based at Finnova. These teams pay a monthly fee, calculated based on the size of the team, as well as give 1% of their share to Finnova every 6 months.

The second co-working space called Zavie is based at Avatech at Tehran’s University’s engineering campus.

 In addition to a working space, Zavie organizes various workshops and events specifically catered to the new businesses and freelancers using its space, while also giving them access to various workshops and events that take place at the site.

The new co-working spaces offer several packages to startup teams and freelancers, where those interested pay according to their team size and number of tables required. 

Co-working spaces have been greatly beneficial to startup sectors in recent years in several countries as it helps young companies leverage the knowledge of co-workers in those spaces when their own is lacking. 

The two recently opened spaces funded in part by banks and venture capital groups help the industry and also show how it is maturing from the early years. However, further funding will be needed for the sector to grow.