Iran’s News: Weekly Startup Ecosystem Update
From E-commerce Giants to AI Investments, a Comprehensive Weekly Update
From Digikala’s brand refresh and entry into the car market to Tapsi’s expansion of its ‘Garage’ service, this week has been eventful for the Iran startup ecosystem’s leading startups. We also saw major investments in AI, and changes in regulatory oversight, shaping the future of the digital economy.
- Digikala:
- Digikala has announced its entry into the new and used car sales market with a comprehensive and modern plan. The car purchase process on Digikala allows buyers to reserve their desired vehicle for 36 hours with an initial payment of 195 million Tomans. Digikala states that all used cars undergo two rounds of expert inspections before being offered for sale.
- This week, Digikala unveiled its new brand identity, “Digikala Group,” reflecting its ongoing efforts to empower and enhance its subsidiaries.
- Tapsi:
- Tapsi announced that its “Tapsi Garage” service, previously available only to Tapsi drivers, is now accessible to all Tapsi users in 13 cities through the Tapsi super-app. Tapsi Garage, through direct factory purchases, has established a distribution network for over 1,300 car-related products.
- Tapsi, in a disclosure on the Codal platform, announced that it is now obligated to pay value-added tax (VAT). Following a ruling by the tax dispute resolution board, Tapsi must pay its outstanding VAT from 2021. Previously, the Tax Affairs Organization did not recognize internet taxi services as eligible for VAT exemption, and efforts by Snapp and Tapsi to obtain an exemption were unsuccessful.
- Ham Ava:
- A consulting and management contract for the construction of the first innovation factory for electricity, renewable energy, and ICT in Zanjan was signed between the CEO of Iran Transfo Industrial Group and the CEO of Ham Ava Innovation Factory. The innovation factory will be built adjacent to the Iran Transfo factory.
- Divar:
- Divar announced that, in order to protect the rights of its users and create a safe platform environment, it has filed a lawsuit against an individual who was harassing female users through repeated phone calls and psychological pressure. The individual was arrested following Divar’s complaint, and the case is currently under judicial review.
- Ashkan Armandeh, CEO of Divar, announced that by the end of December of the current persian year, Divar had been opened on 62 million unique mobile phones, and over 94 million advertisements had been published on Divar during that period.
- Datin:
- Datin’s audited financial statements were published on Codal. The report, for the fiscal year ending December 20, 2023, shows that Datin generated a net profit of 1,071 billion and 626 million Tomans. This represents a 36% increase compared to the previous year.
- Khanoumi:
- Masoud Shahmoradi, co-founder and CEO of Khanoumi, announced that the company aims to provide innovative financial services in the women’s market. He stated that Khanoumi holds the largest share of the women’s market in the country, adding, “Globally and in Iran, over 60% of beauty industry sales are in the skincare sector.”
- Zoodex:
- Babak Houshmand, CEO of the online ordering platform Zoodex, which operates in southern Iranian cities, announced that the company aims to become a super-app and pursue an initial public offering (IPO). According to him, Zoodex has surpassed 1.5 million users this year.
- Chargoon:
- Chargoon, an integrated organizational services platform, announced on its 26th anniversary that it will begin the process of going public and expanding its cloud services and incorporating artificial intelligence into its products.
- Takhfifan:
- Takhfifan announced the launch of its “Takhfifan Pay” service. Takhfifan Pay is an online loan and installment purchase service that offers users up to 100 million Tomans in unsecured bank credit, with a single check and a 24-month repayment period, which can be used at Takhfifan’s partner stores.
- Nobitex:
- Cryptocurrency exchange Nobitex announced that it has reached its seventh year of operation with 10 million users, and has now become the largest cryptocurrency exchange platform in Iran and one of the top three platforms in the Middle East.
- Karan:
- Investment company Karan announced that it has invested in the startup “Digi Refahi.” Digi Refahi, in the field of providing organizational welfare services, has created an advanced platform for providing facilities and motivational benefits. Karan has previously invested in companies such as IranTalent, Simorgh, and Ponisha.
- Smartech:
- Mazdak Pakzad, founder of Smartech, announced in a LinkedIn post that he has resigned from the chairmanship of the Smartech board and is leaving the company after seven years of its establishment. According to him, Smartech’s path will now continue in full coordination with the Digikala Group. Pakzad had previously resigned from the position of CEO of Smartech.
- Torb:
- Torb and Asre Kherad Fund invested in the artificial intelligence startup “Mori.” Mori announced that it will soon unveil its new product, which will provide a new generation of online shopping methods.
- Fanap:
- The president visited Fanap Company in Pardis Science and Technology Park during the third part of the government’s trip to the cities of Tehran province, which was destined for the three cities of Pardis, Firoozkooh, and Damavand. Fanap has 6,500 employees and 21 subsidiaries.
- Sepas Holding:
- Sepas Holding announced at its year-end meeting that the company, with 7 years of experience, now has 9 companies in 4 fields. Bahareh Sharifion, CEO of Sepas Holding, announced that “Bimeh.com” has reached 6 million users, meaning that they have used Bimeh.com services at least once. “Yadak.com” is one of the new services of the holding that provides car services to users.
- Social Security Organization:
- The authority to issue licenses for “online laboratory platforms” was transferred from the “Ministry of Health” to the “Secretariat of the Supreme Supervisory Board of Trade Organizations.” However, shortly after this positive and hopeful event, the Social Security Organization, after contacting several laboratories, summoned them for cooperating with online laboratory platforms.
- Government:
- Masoud Pezeshkian, the president, instructed the Minister of Communications and the head of the National Center for Cyberspace to take action to remove obstacles and problems for companies active in the digital economy and startups in this field, during a meeting with digital economy activists this week.
- Artificial Intelligence:
- A total of 4 trillion Tomans has been allocated in the 2025 budget to support artificial intelligence in line with the Seventh Development Plan and to support the development of a transformative artificial intelligence ecosystem. The allocated credit will be made available to the Vice Presidency for Science and Technology due to the non-approval of the National Artificial Intelligence Organization’s charter.
- Gold:
- The head of the Special Operations Center of the Economic Security Police stated that to date, people have not filed any complaints against gold sales platforms. He said: “We do not know how much gold has been sold by the platforms, and gold has only been received based on their self-declaration. Gold platforms have delivered a total of about 1,800 kilograms of gold to the pawnshop bank.” According to him, 175 gold trading platforms operate in the country, and 50 platforms are more active and have higher financial turnover.
