What’s driving Iran’s Startup growth?

How are startups hitting record valuations? And what’s the deal with AI shopping and digital banking? We’ve got the answers. This report cuts through the noise and delivers clear insights into the key trends shaping Iran’s dynamic tech market in 2025.

 Harakat Aval Reports Strong 2025 Growth

Harakat Aval, a major player in Iran’s startup investment landscape, announced its 2025 annual report. The company’s portfolio—which includes 32 startups and 3 investment funds—has reached a valuation of 3.5 trillion Tomans. Total portfolio sales amounted to 120 trillion Tomans, highlighting significant momentum in Iran’s venture capital market.

Divar Launches AI-Powered Shopping Assistant

Iran’s leading classifieds platform, Divar, introduced a conversational AI Shopping Assistant. This intelligent tool helps users navigate listings more efficiently by understanding natural language and preferences. Currently in beta for categories like real estate, automobiles, and electronics, the tool is expected to roll out platform-wide following testing.

Tapsi Shop Faces Early Losses Amid Market Expansion

Tapsi Shop recorded 2.3 billion Tomans in revenue but reported a net loss of 66 billion Tomans in the first half of 2024. These losses stem from strategic investments in development and marketing to strengthen its competitive edge in Tehran’s growing e-commerce market. The company currently holds over 55 billion Tomans in assets.

BluBank Revenue Doubles in One Year

BluBank’s 2024 revenue surged to 2.862 trillion Tomans, with a net profit of 549 billion Tomans. The digital bank saw a 92% growth in its customer base, and its audited financials reveal that revenue more than doubled year-over-year, reflecting strong user acquisition and digital banking growth in Iran.

Torb Expands User Base in Turkey

A year after entering the Turkish market, Torb, Iran’s popular price search engine, has attracted nearly 100,000 users in the country. Celebrating its 10-year anniversary in 2024, Torb now supports 130,000 partner stores and sees 25 million unique monthly users across platforms.

Tapsi Achieves Record-High Monthly Revenue

Ride-hailing leader Tapsi reached a milestone with 2.369 trillion Tomans in total revenue for 2024. In March 2025 alone, revenue peaked at 343 billion Tomans, marking the highest monthly figure in the company’s history. Its shared ride feature, Bahamsafar, has now expanded to Mashhad, in addition to Tehran and Karaj.

Yektanet Acquires Majority Stake in Shapino

Yektanet, a top digital advertising firm, now owns 67% of Shapino. Despite generating monthly sales of 68.5 million Tomans, Shapino posted 2.13 billion Tomans in losses during the first half of 1403, signaling challenges in its operational efficiency.

Ap Reports 31% Year-Over-Year Revenue Growth

Ap reported 13.113 trillion Tomans in revenue for 1403, up from 9.973 trillion Tomans in the previous year. The majority of revenue came from PIN and credit sales, showing strong performance in the fintech and prepaid service sectors.

Digipay Disburses Massive Credit Volumes

Digipay provided 11 trillion Tomans in credit during autumn 1403. Over 2.5 million users benefited from its lending services, including buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) options and microloans, reinforcing Digipay’s position as a key player in Iran’s digital lending space.

Job Vision Highlights Gender Pay Gap and Urban Salary Disparities

According to Job Vision’s 1404 salary report, seniority remains the primary driver of salary increases. Product managers and developers saw the highest wage growth, while unskilled laborers experienced the lowest. The report also revealed that women earn 28% less than men, and Tehran-based professionals earn 28% more than their counterparts in other cities—though their cost of living is 43% higher.

Internet Taxi Drivers to Receive Insurance Coverage

After months of anticipation, Iran’s government has approved insurance coverage for internet taxi drivers. Minister Ahmad Meydari confirmed the regulation’s approval, noting that legal processes are ongoing to ensure full implementation.

Myket Sees 67% Revenue Growth

App store Myket reported 181 billion Tomans in fall revenue and 73.4 billion Tomans in net profit. Its unaudited 9-month financials show 537.97 billion Tomans in revenue, representing 67% growth compared to the same period in 1402. The platform continues to gain traction among Iranian developers and consumers.

Zavieh Co-Working Space Raises Concerns with Sharp Price Hike

Zavieh, a well-known co-working space in Tehran’s Azadi Innovation Factory, raised its membership fees by 65% in the new year. This sudden increase has sparked concern among local startups and freelancers relying on flexible workspace solutions.

“Paytakht” Series Impacts National Trends

The 7th season of the popular TV show “Paytakht” triggered unexpected national shifts: a drop in internet traffic during broadcast hours and a surprising surge in meteorite sales on Divar. This cultural phenomenon reflects the unique social influence of Iranian media on online behavior.

Parliament Warns of Potential Telecom Failures

A member of Iran’s Parliamentary Energy Commission warned that due to power outages in 2024, many telecom tower batteries were damaged. Without urgent replacement, the country may face widespread telecom and internet blackouts during the summer months.

Divar’s IPO Awaits Regulatory Approval

Divar’s admission to the Tehran Stock Exchange remains pending as authorities review the eligibility of its executive team. The vetting process includes an inquiry into the CEO, board members, and major shareholders. Regulatory clearance is a key step in this highly anticipated IPO.

Conclusion:

Iran’s tech landscape is dynamic and rapidly evolving, marked by significant growth, innovative services, and emerging challenges. Understanding these trends is crucial for stakeholders navigating the Iranian market.