Three specialized training workshops focusing on guarantees were held with the aim of enhancing technical capacity, fostering synergy among Research and Technology Funds, and moving toward the standardization of financial processes. The sessions were organized by the Iran Venture Capital Association with the support of the Secretariat of the Specialized Taskforce on Research and Technology Funds and hosted at the Innovation and Prosperity Fund.
These workshops were conducted in three separate timeframes:
- February 21–22, 2025
- February 28–March 1, 2025
- May 22–23, 2025
In total, more than 100 experts from Research and Technology Funds across the country took part in the sessions. This initiative formed a part of the broader effort to enhance the professional capacity of financial actors within the national innovation ecosystem.
The presence of representatives and specialists from various roles and levels of the funds reflected the purposeful design of these workshops in meeting diverse professional needs and advancing knowledge across all operational layers involved in guarantee services.
Introducing the Guarantee Workshops
The specialized guarantee workshops offered a unique opportunity for managers and specialists of Research and Technology Funds to deepen their understanding of key concepts, the processes of approval and issuance of guarantees, legal considerations, risk management, and collateral evaluation. Held in three phases based on the registered capital of each fund, the workshops combined technical insights with case-based learning to pave the way for more professional service delivery. In addition to receiving official certificates, participants gained essential skills for effectively leveraging guarantee instruments within the innovation ecosystem.
Guarantee issuance is among the most complex and sensitive financial services, requiring precision, expertise, and awareness of processes related to evaluation, contract management, and risk oversight. Despite these complexities, guarantees are often more valuable than cash for many stakeholders—particularly in the innovation ecosystem and among knowledge-based companies. However, this domain remains underdeveloped in many Research and Technology Funds, and its effective utilization calls for greater technical expertise among relevant managers and specialists.
Designed to empower professionals in this field, the workshops delivered specialized knowledge and shared successful banking experiences to support more efficient and high-quality services in guarantee issuance. Topics covered included guarantee approval and issuance procedures, legal and contractual points, risk assessment, and various types of acceptable collateral. Case studies on defaults and key risk management insights enabled participants to avoid common mistakes and deliver safer and more effective services.
All participants received official certificates of attendance, jointly issued by the Iran Venture Capital Association and the Secretariat of the Specialized Taskforce on Research and Technology Funds.
Topics introduced during the sessions included:
- Approval and issuance processes for guarantees
- Understanding guarantee contracts vs. joint liability
- Key features of guarantees from the guarantor’s perspective
- The “7Cs” framework for credit and commitment evaluation
- Classification of acceptable collaterals by type
- Various types of guarantees based on their nature
- Risk hierarchy and typical types of guarantees
- Fee structures for different guarantee types
- Guarantee amendments (extensions, reductions, renewals, increases, cancellations) and best practices
- Case studies on guarantee defaults
- Comparing letters of credit and guarantees: differences and similarities
About the Instructor
Mr. Soheil Raaymand, a distinguished expert in the banking and finance sector, brought over two decades of experience in education and executive roles at prominent financial institutions. He has taught banking and finance courses at the Iranian Banking Institute, Alborz University, and training centers of leading banks such as Maskan, Pasargad, and Eghtesad Novin.
In his executive roles, Mr. Raaymand held key positions, including Banking Operations Manager, Head of Internal Audit, and Credit Management at various banks. He has also served as a faculty member at the Eghtesad Novin Bank Training Center and as a board member of several leading banks. He is the author of two specialized books on banking guarantees and domestic letters of credit, reflecting his deep knowledge and extensive experience in this domain.
His participation in the workshops provided a valuable opportunity for the transfer of both theoretical and practical expertise to attendees
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