The press conference of the Novatech startup event was held on Sunday, June 14, 2026, at Sharif Technology Tower in Tehran. The event is jointly organized by Fanap Group and Quera, with the support of the Iranian Venture Capital Association (IRVC), Sharif Science and Technology Park, Pishgaman Group, and Kandoo.
Novatech is designed as a problem-oriented and action-driven initiative aimed at transforming innovative ideas — particularly in artificial intelligence — into real, investment-ready startups.
From Idea to MVP: A Structured Path
At the beginning of the session, Ali Lotfi, Secretary of the event, outlined the formation and execution process of Novatech. He stated that the initial concept was shaped in the summer of 2025, with the official launch beginning in January 2026.
According to Lotfi, 1,196 individuals registered for the program. Through a structured team-matching process, 186 startup teams were formed. Following the evaluation of 147 submitted pitch decks, 40 teams were selected to enter the main product development phase and work on building their Minimum Viable Product (MVP). These teams will present their solutions to investors during the Demo Day scheduled for July 2026.
The selected teams operate across five key technology domains: FinTech, HealthTech, AgriTech, TourismTech, and AI Security.
The Economy of the Future Is the Economy of Ideas
Masoud Zandoukil i, CEO of Fanap Group, addressed the strategic vision behind the initiative. He emphasized the transformation of global competition dynamics and the emergence of what he described as the “economy of ideas.”
“In today’s world, competitive advantage is no longer defined by natural resources or traditional infrastructure,” he said. “It depends on speed of learning, problem-solving capability, and the ability to transform ideas into scalable products.”
Zandoukili noted that Fanap no longer views itself merely as a technology service provider, but as an ecosystem enabler. He described Fanap’s involvement in Novatech as a strategic decision aimed at bridging the gap between ideas and market-ready products. Beyond financial investment, Fanap intends to provide participating teams with access to market knowledge, infrastructure, and professional networks.
He further stated that the selected startups are not merely competition winners but potential long-term strategic partners in developing future digital services.
Concerns Over the Innovation Ecosystem
During the session, speakers also addressed broader challenges facing Iran’s innovation ecosystem.
Sajjad Zavar, Secretary of the Iranian Venture Capital Association, pointed to regulatory decisions that are not necessarily aligned with the perspectives of ecosystem stakeholders. Referring to instances such as internet disruptions, he noted that certain decisions are sometimes made without sufficient consideration of their impact on digital businesses.
Despite the cautious investment climate, Zavar emphasized that the association remains committed to facilitating connections between startups and investors, particularly during the upcoming Demo Day.
Behnam Talebi, Head of Sharif Science and Technology Park, highlighted a noticeable decline in the number of emerging innovative teams in recent years and stressed the importance of structured support programs to retain and empower entrepreneurial talent.
Mojtaba Khorsandi, CEO of Pishgaman Knowledge-Based Group, added that in unstable economic conditions, team quality and cohesion become critical evaluation criteria for investors. According to him, investors increasingly prioritize teams capable of managing crises and navigating uncertainty.
Looking Ahead
The Novatech teams are currently in the MVP development and validation phase. The program will culminate in a Demo Day event in July 2026, where selected teams will present their products to investors and ecosystem stakeholders.
Cash prizes of 200, 100, and 50 million tomans will be awarded to the top three teams, in addition to startup loans and opportunities for pre-seed and seed investment.
Novatech aims to create a sustainable and structured innovation pipeline—one where entrepreneurship is not incidental, but systematically supported through collaboration between industry, investors, and innovation institutions.
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