Iranian Startups Eyeing Regional Markets: VP

Vice President for Scientific and Technological Affairs Sorena Sattari said three new scientific waves have emerged in Iran.

“Maybe everybody knows Iran by its oil and gas, but three important waves took shape in Iran in recent years, namely the wave of universities, the establishment of knowledge-based companies and the development of these companies,” said Sattari at the inaugural of the 1st Asia-Pacific Innovation Forum also attended by foreign guests.

“Iran has a very fast-moving scientific progress and ranks 15th in the world when it comes to the production of science,” he said.

“Start-ups in Iran have turned into capable companies,” he noted.

The official said Iran has made progress in different scientific domains, adding more than 4,000 knowledge-based companies have been supported.

He said the resources and potentialities distributed in the country should be utilized and attention should be paid to less-privileged classes of society.

He also underlined the necessity of creating a network as well as legal frameworks to preserve the rights of consumers, not to mention the need for training manpower.

“Private institutions and agencies which have close relations with start-ups can contribute to the activities of the network.

He noted Iran has played a role in major regional forums.

He said the holding of the Asia-Pacific Forum is one of the instances of Iran’s contribution.

The 1st Asia-Pacific Innovation Forum opened in Tehran, bringing together a host of local and foreign dignitaries. It is organized by the Science and Technology Department of the Presidential Office.

The event has been held as Iran is home to 4,400 knowledge-based companies, 364 innovative firms and 80 innovation centres, making it one of the most influential countries in the world in the field of nanotechnology. The existence of 45 sci-tech parks, 190 development centres, 80 innovation centres and 30 risk funds has turned Iran into a role model for other countries in the region and across the world.