The 8th International Innovation and Technology Exhibition of Iran (INOTEX 2019) kicked off in Tehran on Sunday.
The country is also hosting the First Asia-Pacific Innovation Forum on the sidelines of the event.
Held at Tehran’s International Fairground, INOTEX 2019 will continues until June 12. People could purchase tickets from Inotex.com to visit the expo between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Outlining the importance of the forum, Iranian Vice President for Science and Technology Sorena Sattari said Tehran is hosting tech leaders and education ministers from more than 50 countries, as well as UN representatives, on June 11-12, ISNA reported.
“Over the past few years, Iran has made headways in the fields of technology and startups. Sharing our capabilities and experience with other countries will enable them to boost their growth rate … Foreign experts will also visit Iranian tech parks and startup accelerators, in addition to participating in INOTEX,” he added.
The meeting is aimed at promoting Iran’s startup ecosystem and helping expand the tech market.
Sattari also elaborated on the Vice Presidential Office’s plans by saying that the entity will focus more on tech firms active in the fields of natural resource management, environment preservation and healthcare.
UN-Backed Forum
Ahmad Reza Alaei, the event’s secretary, said the UN has helped Iran host the event.
“During the forum, domestic technological capabilities will be highlighted so as to forge ties between Iran and foreign markets and investors,” he said.
According to the forum’s director, Peyman Salehi, Iran has 4,400 knowledge-based companies, 364 innovative firms, 45 tech parks, 190 startup accelerators, 80 innovation centers and 30 venture capital funds.
“Considering Iran’s fast growth in the field, our expertise and experiences can enable other countries to increase their pace of development,” he said.
Salehi noted that the opening ceremony of the forum will be held at Iran’s International Conference Center on Monday.
“Education ministers and representatives from global institutions active in fields of education and technology will participate in the event,” he said.
The forum has been planned in coordination with the UN’s Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).
During a meeting of ESCAP’s Innovation and Technology Committee held in Bangkok, Thailand, in 2018, Iran was selected as the host of the First Asia-Pacific innovation Forum. Representatives from the 62 member states of ESCAP have been invited.
Multi-Stage Competition
Just like every other year, INOTEX helps connect tech firms and startups with investors, while giving the firms the opportunity to promote their services and gain a better footing in the market.
This round of INOTEX 2019 also features the usual sections, including business-to-business meetings and a startup pitch.
INOTEX Pitch is managed as a multi-stage competition. The first stage was held in early June in Tehran, Bandar Abbas, Birjand, Rasht, Yazd and Kermanshah. Top contestants in the first stage will participate in INOTEX and showcase their capabilities.
In addition to receiving cash awards, contestants will have the prospect of promoting their capabilities to attract investment.
Through B2B meetings, tech talent shows and conferences, local and international players will introduce their businesses and forge new business ties.
