Weathering the Storm: Evaluating the Resilience of Iran’s Knowledge-Based Economy Amid Uncertainty

Avatar for mohamad reza mohmmadiMohamad Reza Mohmmadi
Over the past several years, Iran’s technology and innovation ecosystem has faced a convergence of unprecedented and interconnected challenges. Each of these challenges alone could have significantly affected the trajectory of technology-driven businesses. Together, however, they have created a highly complex operating environment for startups, knowledge-based enterprises, and innovative firms. ... Read more

Specialized Workshop on “Scenario-Based Planning” Held for Investment and Innovation Managers

Avatar for mohamad reza mohmmadiMohamad Reza Mohmmadi
The Venture Capital Association, in collaboration with the Farda Development Foundation, recently hosted a specialized workshop on “Scenario-Based Planning,” attended by a group of managers in the fields of investment, innovation, and business development. The event was led by Maziar Attari, futurist and CEO of the Farda Development Foundation, and Yasser Khoshnevis, the Foundation’s Foresight Program Manager, focusing on the practical applications of scenario planning in strategic decision-making. ... Read more

From Hypergrowth to Intelligent Survival: Redefining the Founder’s Role in an Age of Uncertainty

Avatar for mohamad reza mohmmadiMohamad Reza Mohmmadi
For years, success in the innovation ecosystem was measured by the speed of growth and the ability to raise capital. But in a world where crisis has become the new normal, this paradigm is no longer sufficient. Today, the central question is no longer which startup can scale the fastest, but which team—guided by what kind of leadership—can endure uncertainty. In such an environment, the roles of both founders and venture capital investors require serious redefinition. ... Read more

Warning Status for Iran’s VC Ecosystem: Analysis of the 2025–2026 Challenges

Avatar for mohamad reza mohmmadiMohamad Reza Mohmmadi
The recurring crises over the past two years have pushed Iran’s Venture Capital (VC) ecosystem into a state of “alert.” To provide a precise assessment of the situation, the Iran Venture Capital Association (IVCA) has summarized the expert insights of key industry players, originally featured in an exclusive interview with Zoomit. This report highlights the perspectives of Sajjad Zavvar (Secretary of the IVCA), Hassan Zali (CEO of Soroush Sepehr Investment Company), and Mahdi Sadat Hayat-Shahi (CEO of the Creative Industries Research and Technology Fund). ... Read more

Gap Between the “Spirit of the Knowledge-Based Production Law” and Its Implementation / Latest Update on Domestic Insulin Production

Avatar for mohamad reza mohmmadiMohamad Reza Mohmmadi
Iran’s corporate venture capital (CVC) ecosystem is undergoing a strategic shift, moving from an exclusive focus on cutting-edge technologies toward addressing the country’s urgent and strategic needs—particularly in the pharmaceutical sector. Amin Pirayesh, Vice Chairman of the Corporate Research and Technology Funds Commission, stated that investment priorities have been redefined in response to current economic conditions and international sanctions. “In previous years, our focus was primarily on artificial intelligence and advanced pharmaceutical technologies. Today, however, national priorities require us to concentrate more on essential and strategic products such as insulin, which is critical for the country’s healthcare system,” he said. ... Read more