IRANIAN ENTERPRISE
More than just oil. Despite intense economic challenges caused by years of crippling sanctions, a new generation of tech-savvy and enterprising Iranians has, over the past decade, helped build an impressive start-up ecosystem. With a strong educational foundation and a population that consistently ranks among the top five globally in IQ studies (2025 ranking: 4th place), alongside internet penetration well above 90% and mobile usage among the highest in the region, the foundations for innovation are firmly in place. While current economic difficulties are hard to ignore, the resilience and ingenuity of Iran’s youthful workforce offer a compelling glimpse of what lies ahead…
High Tech & Start-Ups
2018 France 24 now report on the state of Iran’s start up scene, despite US sanctions. Source: Youtube, 2018
2016 CGTN report on the progress of Iran’s start-up scene despite US sanctions. Source: Youtube, 2016
The Conference Chanel presents a talk from Iranian Entrepreneur Nazanin Daneshvar, founder of Takhfifan. Source: Youtube, 2016
2015 The New Economy interview Nazanin Daneshvar in 2015, founder of Takhfifan,Iran’s most popular voucher buying website. Source, Youtube, 2015
2019 CGTN report on how some of Iran's high-tech firms are thriving despite US sanctions. Source: Youtube, 2019
Daniel Workman and Baldwin Berges of Emerging Frontiers host a discussion in 2014 on youthful entrepreneurship in Iran. Source: Youtube, 2014
2017 CNN report on Iran’s own answer to Uber, the Tehra based taxi sharing app called Snapp. Source: Youtube, 2017
2014 Video from Iran Startups -an online Iranian startup community- charting their activities between 2012 and 2014. Source: Youtube, 2014
Automotive
Iran car expo 2024
2016 CNN report on impact of US sanctions on Iranian car market. Source: Youtube, 2016
Unveiling of a reverse-engineered Lamborghini Murcielago SV in Tehran, Iran. It was built in Tabriz in 2018, Iran by a group of Iranian engineers.
Healthcare & Pharma
2010 Al Jazeera report on how a Mississippi delta neighbourhood in the US learned from the Iranians on how to successfully run a rural healthcare plan. Source: Youtube, 2010
Beauty & Cosmetics
Cosma TV speak with Juliette Duveau, Senior Trend Forecaster at Les Persiennes about the beauty and cosmetics market in Iran. Source: Youtube, 2016
Promo video for opening of Iranian cosmetics store Safir at the Paladium shopping center in Tehran, Iran. Source: Youtube, 2016
Aria Med Tour introduce us to Nadia, a Spanish health tourist who visits Tehran, Iran for a nose job and buccal fat removal. Source: Youtube, 2019
A 2018 report on the interest of the french cosmeticss Giant Pier Auge in the Iranian cosmetics market. Source: Youtube, 2016
A somewhat dated yet still relevant 2007 Al Jazeera report on the rise of cosmetic surgery in Iran. Source: Youtube, 2007
2016 Al Jazeera report on health tourism in Iran. Source: Youtube: 2016
Another promo video for Iranian cosmetics stores located in Tehran, Iran. Source: Youtube, 2016