Despite unilateral sanctions, Iran has made great strides in developing innovative startups. Abolfazl Bagheri, the director general of the knowledge-based economy cooperation, stated: as an example of the largest ecosystem in the Middle East and North of Africa, Azadi Innovation Factory shows the national success of Iran in this field.

Rising from the Ashes

The director general of the knowledge-based economy cooperation mentioned: this was the first electrode-manufacturing factory in Iran established in 1960 to transfer the technical knowledge of a valid company in the Switzerland to Iran.

He added: this company is placed in the urban texture of the city. Given the necessity of developing a work space, the factory was transferred to around Azadi Square 14 km farther from the current space in 2001.

Government Infrastructure and Role-playing of the Private Sector

The director general of the knowledge-based economy cooperation pointed out the measures taken in this field, adding: currently, Azadi Innovation Factory is the largest startup ecosystem in the Middle East and north of Africa. The factory has been established in an area of 18500 m² and with the joint investment of the government and the private sector with a budget of more than 2000 billion Rials. The center acts as an intermediary between startups, investors, and technology and innovation activists.

A Pattern for Innovation

Pointing out the mechanism designed for the operation method of this factory, he marked: Azadi Innovation Factory uses the considerable capacities of the private sector and is recognized as a complete example of cooperation between the government and the private sector in the field of science and technology, which can be used in other areas.  

Gathering of all the Key Players

The director general of the knowledge-based economy cooperation mentioned the apparent features of the factory, adding: the presence of all players of the innovation ecosystem in a united structure, such as Azadi Innovation Factory, and their gathering in a specific geographical point are among the benefits of this center.

According to Bagheri, the presence of talented human resources, technological teams, active startups, knowledge-based companies, accelerators, joint work spaces, specialized innovation centers, venture capitals, specialized large industries and companies, professional counselors and instructors, and companies presenting the services required by businesses have created considerable synergy for the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.

Startup Pardis

Bagheri talked about the components of this innovative organization, asserting: Azadi Innovation Factory is one of the most unique innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems, encompassing a wide range of areas of business such as artificial intelligence, internet of things, cloud computing, computer games, electronic health, advanced drugs, content management and media, finance and insurance, architecture, and travel and tourism.

In addition, the factory contains nine accelerators and innovation centers in various field officially opened in 2019.

For more information, please refer to the website of the Vice-Presidency for science and technology affairs.

A report by the public relations and information center of the Vice-Presidency for science and technology affairs