Tehran-based Tarbiat Modares University has developed its science and technology park, expanding facilities for startups and promoting the tech ecosystem.
Supported by the university and the Vice Presidential Office for Science and Technology, the new section is a five-story building consisting of 30 separate units, which was officially inaugurated on Monday, the office's website Isti.ir reported.
Sorena Sattari, the vice president for science and technology who attended the inaugural event, said the building is ready to host tech units, knowledge-based companies and research and development teams.
Sattari said that proximity to the university (in Tehran’s District 6), presence of research centers, the opportunity to share experience with peers and the guidance of professional mentors are among the privileges of tech park, which tech aficionados can enjoy.
"The expansion of the park can be a great chance for entrepreneurs, tech teams and investors to promote their activities and business," he added.
Referring to the spread of COVID-19 disease in the country, Sattari said controlling the pandemic is not possible until the potentials of the tech ecosystem are utilized.
“The knowledge-based economy in the country, which have currently grown significantly, have already helped young entrepreneurs and tech teams to stand against the economically-destructive wave caused by the disease,” he said.
After the inauguration, Sattari visited a small-scale exhibition of tech products developed by startups and knowledge-based firms held in the tech park.
Later that day, Sattari forged an agreement with Parsian Tourism and Recreational Center Holding Company, owned by the Islamic Revolution Mostazafan Foundation, to establish and expand startup accelerators and tech centers.
Defining a suitable mechanism and preparing the ground for the growth of technologies in social and cultural fields and using smart solutions offered by knowledge-based firms and startups to curb issues in the sphere were among the topics mentioned in the agreement.
Growing Trend
The establishment of innovation factories and tech centers has gained momentum across Iran over the past several years.
The move has accelerated since President Hassan Rouhani began his first term in office in 2013 and put extra focus on extending support to new startups and technology firms.
Strengthening the tech ecosystem is believed to curb the country’s reliance on oil-based revenues and materialize a digital economy.
Over the past few years, numerous tech parks have been established throughout the country.
Naturally, the Iranian capital city, Tehran, pioneers the trend with two innovation factories.
The first innovation factory in the metropolis, dubbed Azadi Innovation Factory, was launched in August 2018 at an abandoned chemicals factory near Azadi Square, west of Tehran. The center is backed by the Vice Presidential Office for Science and Technology and is managed by Sharif University of Technology.
Highway, the capital's second innovation factory, is under construction. The factory is being established in an old building near Nobonyad Square in northeastern Tehran.
Besides Tehran, the vice presidential office has financed several other innovation factories in Iranian metropolises to expand the startup and knowledge-based ecosystems.
According to tech officials, innovation factory projects in the provinces of Markazi and Fars are almost complete and will become operational in the coming months.
The Roads and Urban Development Ministry, municipalities and governorates in the host cities are assisting the vice presidential office in implementing these projects.
At the innovation factories, startups and knowledge-based companies find legal, technical and financial support to expand their activities.
Full Support
The government is optimistic that giving financial, technical and spiritual support to tech firms can help expand their businesses and consequently help the country materialize a digital economy.
Iran National Innovation Fund, affiliated to the Vice Presidential Office for Science and Technology, and other tech authorities have played a major role in extending vital resources.
The administration of President Hassan Rouhani established the fund with an initial investment of 30 trillion rials ($193.5 million). As per the law, the government is required to allocate 0.5% of its annual budget to INIF.
The fund’s officials say INIF will continue to give financial support to fledgling tech firms.
Siavash Malekifar, a deputy head at INIF, said the fund will offer 10 trillion rials ($64.5 million) as loans to fledgling startups and tech firms in the next Iranian year (starting March 20).
Malekifar said the money is to be paid to tech units requiring financial aid to the tune of 5 billion rials ($32,250) through INIF's 38 provincial branches.
