Support for Innovation in Iran Mostafa K. Eghbal Ministry of Science, Research and Technology

Introductory Remarks Innovation by people Government role is to support and to create the right environment for innovation

Entrepreneurship activity Government Role in Support of Innovation (1) Supporting body Government Role Stage Entrepreneurship activity Entrepreneurship centers Pre-incubation Entrepreneurship trainings Idea Generate a Marketable Idea 1 Workshops Economic consultation Technical consultation Information services Business plan Market evaluation Economic evaluation Financial resources Technical resources 2 Incubators Business consultation Legal consultation Providing seed money Company Forming a Team Registering a Company Initial investment 3

Entrepreneurship activity Government Role in Support of Innovation (2) Supporting body Government Role Stage Entrepreneurship activity incubators Financial support (VC) Technical support Work space (office, lab, etc) prototyping Investment Materials and equipments Initial product 4 Incubators Science and technology parks Marketing consultation Standardizing Offering Credential Marketing Product improvement 5 Clusters Industrial zones Proper growth environment Proper regulations Growth Expansion 6

Incubators in Iran Main Concerns: How to attract new entrepreneurs? How to promote a culture of innovation? What could be the role of incubators and universities?

Regional Innovative Culture Key Ingredients: Vision for innovation Universities that supply the intellect Incubators and innovation centers ICT infrastructure and services Networking system (national and international) Legislation and regulatory provisions Funding

But, is this enough to promote innovation? Regional Innovative Culture Role of Incubators: Provide real life examples of entrepreneurship Provide support and consultation Lower the risks for entrepreneurs But, is this enough to promote innovation? Prerequisites for incubation: To built up the capacities for innovation To prepare potential entrepreneurs for incubator admission

Extension of University Education University Entrepreneurship Centers Extension of University Education A preparatory stage to help entrepreneurs for Entrepreneurship workshops Getting familiar with the market Preparing their business plan

University Entrepreneurship Centers

Pre-Incubation A preparatory stage to help entrepreneurs for Establishing their companies Preparing their business plan Enter Incubators

Incubators Provide: General Services: office, secretarial services Information Services: internet and ICT services, library Consultation Services: business, market, technical, legal Financial Support: seed fund, VC

Incubators in Iran

Incubators Affiliation Others STPs Universities مراکز رشد دانشگاهی: 15 مراکز رشد پارکها: 12 مراکز رشد ساير سازمانها: 7

Incubators Field of Activity Biotechnology-Medical مراکز رشد فناوری اطلاعات و ارتباطات:15 مراکز رشد جامع فناوری:13 ساير مراکز رشد تخصصی:6 General ICT

Helping Regional Innovative Culture Pre- incubation Entrepreneurship Centers University Incubator STP

Tenants in Parks and Incubators (پيش بيني)

Employment of Tenant Companies (پيش بيني)

InfoDev Project Specification: ICT as a tool to promote incubation Promoting the results at the national level Promoting cooperation and networking among incubators Promoting better incubation management Emphasizing on unprivileged regions and women

InfoDev Project Activities: Training E-services Semi-virtual Incubator Networking Portal for Incubators and SMEs

InfoDev Project Partners: Isfahan Science and Technology Town Yazd Science and Technology Park Rooyesh ICT Incubator