{"id":1178,"date":"2017-02-27T15:07:27","date_gmt":"2017-02-27T15:07:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.startupblink.com\/blog\/?p=1178"},"modified":"2023-10-30T12:08:04","modified_gmt":"2023-10-30T12:08:04","slug":"iran-startup-ecosystem","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.startupblink.com\/blog\/iran-startup-ecosystem\/","title":{"rendered":"Iran Startup Ecosystem"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Iran<\/h5>\n

Azadi Tower in Tehran, Iran<\/p>\n

Click here to view Iran\u2019s Startup Ecosystem Dashboard<\/a><\/h5>\n
Introduction to Iran Startup Ecosystem<\/b><\/span><\/h5>\n

Tehran is the capital of Iran and Tehran Province. With a population of around 9 million in the city and 16 million in the wider metropolitan area, Tehran is the largest city and urban area of Iran, the 2nd-largest city in Western Asia, and the 3rd-largest in the Middle East. It is ranked 29th in the world by the population of its metropolitan area.\u00a0 Moreover, in StartupBlink’s 2019 report<\/a><\/strong>, Iran ranks 83rd globally, with Tehran ranking 1st in Iran and 240th globally.<\/span><\/p>\n

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In 2015, Iran\u2019s startup ecosystem was at the peak of its \u201cE-commerce Boom\u201d, and a massive amount of web and mobile startups emerged in this year. It is safe to say that Iran had one of the\u00a0fastest growing startup ecosystems in the region. In 2016 we will see more action in the brutal e-commerce arena and we anticipate to see more startups in mobile, SAAS and Fintech. The Fintech vibe got really interesting in Q4 2015 and has turned into the emerging trend in Iran\u2019s startup ecosystem.<\/span><\/p>\n

Successful Startups in Iran<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

Digikala<\/a><\/span>: @Digikalacom is a leading e-commerce brand, fast growing company and one of the very pioneers of Iranian online retailer which was established in 2006 and now is the most visited online store in the\u00a0Middle East with a\u00a0large market share of digital products and consumer electronics in Iran.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cafe Bazaar<\/a><\/span>: @cafebazaar is a leading consumer internet company in Iran that runs the first and the most popular smartphone application marketplace for Persian speaking countries. They connect millions of smartphone users, advertisers and application developers through our highly scalable and technology-based platforms such as Bazaar app store, Adad mobile advertising network and Divar a platform for classified advertisements.<\/span><\/p>\n

MamanPaz<\/a><\/span>: @MamanPaz has a network of chefs at\u00a0home. These housewives cook delicious food and deliver to customers\u2019 door every day.<\/span><\/p>\n

TaxiModa<\/a><\/span>: @TaxiModa is the first flash sales site of Iran which offers latest collection of local and foreign brands in fashion and apparel with discounts.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tap30<\/a><\/span>: @TAP30_ir is a private cab e-hailing platform providing standard and premium logistics services to companies and individuals. <\/span><\/p>\n

ZarinPal<\/a><\/span>: @zarinpal is a pioneer online payment gateway in Iran. They are an innovative and motivated company providing fast and reliable payment gateways for local to large-scale businesses.<\/span><\/p>\n

Milogy<\/a><\/span>: @milogycom is a scientific approach that includes practical methods, psychological Assessments and applied tools Based On gamification to encourage people to achieve their goals and be satisfied with their life. The revenue stream is simple, we sell assessment and challenges and coaching services.<\/span><\/p>\n

Shafajoo<\/a><\/span>: @shafajoo is the Iran startup which brings a solution in healthcare.<\/span><\/p>\n

Esam<\/a><\/span>: @esam_ir is an online auction and shopping website in which people and businesses buy and sell a broad variety of goods and services in Iran.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hesabit<\/a><\/span>: @hesabitcom is a web-based invoicing software that helps you craft beautiful invoices, automatically send payment reminders and get paid faster online.<\/span><\/p>\n

Strengths of Iran as a Startup Ecosystem<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

Iran has a large population, one which is substantially educated and has a large entrepreneurship potential. Internet and smartphone penetration is extremely high in Iran, where 70% of the 80m population is under 35. At least half of Iranians have access to a smartphone, according to officials. There are conflicting reports about the number of internet users but according to Internet World Stats, Iran has more than 46 million internet users (57.2% penetration), which is almost half the total number of internet users in the whole of the Middle East, although not all have regular access.<\/span><\/p>\n

Weaknesses of Iran as a Startup Ecosystem<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

Every ecosystem has its unique challenges and unique advantages. Iran\u2019s startup ecosystem is no different. It is also impossible to find an entrepreneurial ecosystem that does not have unique challenges. <\/span><\/p>\n

One of the major challenges is that startups in Iran don\u2019t have ambitions to target the international market. There is no easy way for them to access the world market. There is also a lack of funding for seed-stage startups and there are not many lawyers to guide startups in the right direction. Another problem that startups face is the lack of a proper legal framework for investments and registrations. <\/span><\/p>\n

Biggest Players in the Iran Startup Ecosystem<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

1. Venture Capital and Investors in Iran <\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n