The fifth meeting of the Corporate Venture Capital (CVC) Fund Development Commission was held on Monday, November 25, 2024, hosted by Vista, the investment holding of Irancell.
This session was attended by CEOs and senior members of corporate venture capital research and technology funds from organizations such as Foolad Ventures, Golrang Ventures, Snowa Ventures, Central Iron Ore Company, Karafarinan Aval, AryoGen, Naghdineh, Fakher Holding, and Shimi Sepidan.
Dr. Alireza Daliri, Chair of the CVC Fund Development Commission, addressed a range of key topics during the session, including:
- Revision of the statutes governing corporate venture capital research and technology funds
- Strategic management of the knowledge-based sector through CVC fund participation
- Designing CVC-based financing mechanisms
- Engagement with the Vice-Presidency for Science and Technology to transfer technical knowledge to relevant working groups
- Exploring opportunities and requirements for joint investments among CVC funds
Drawing on practical experience, participants critically reviewed existing challenges in decision-making and regulatory processes. They also offered concrete proposals for reforming the legal frameworks and institutional structures supporting CVCs.
Later in the session, Kazem Dehghani, CEO of Vista, presented the investment strategies and priorities of the holding. He also provided a comprehensive overview of the current portfolio of Irancell Investment Holding, which includes companies and projects such as Snapp Group, Rubika App, Vista Media, Nouavarin Fund, Irancell Labs, Iranian Towers Company, and Vista Ta’min Atieh Company. Each of these entities plays a significant role in advancing the country’s technology and innovation ecosystem.
The National Association of Venture Capital of Iran has committed to holding regular technical sessions as part of a structured effort to support the development of CVC funds. By consolidating expert insights from industry professionals, the Association aims to develop a strategic framework for policy recommendations to key decision-making bodies, including the Vice-Presidency for Science and Technology and other influential stakeholders. Additional initiatives by the Association include documenting outcomes of the meetings, following up on implementation of approved proposals, and fostering systematic connections between CVC funds and the innovation ecosystem.
These high-level sessions not only facilitate inter-fund synergy but also help identify legislative gaps, policy misalignments in technology development, and data fragmentation among stakeholders. The continued organization of such meetings provides a robust platform for aligning investment strategies, reducing innovation financing risks, and enhancing the role of CVCs in national technology ecosystem development.
Another significant outcome of this session was the strengthening of inter-organizational ties and the emergence of a shared language among fund executives in addressing common challenges — a step that could pave the way for strategic alliances among major industrial groups, corporate investors, and public sector entities.
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