At the event with the presence of the Vice Presidents for Science and Technology, the National Program for the Development and Support of Knowledge-Based Gazelles was unveiled, introducing 12 knowledge-based startups and presenting symbolic awards to the first and 10,000th knowledge-based companies.
“Launch of National Program for the Development and Support of Knowledge-Based Gazelles: 12 Gazelles Introduced and Awards Given to First and 10,000th Knowledge-Based Companies”
According to Iran digital economy annotation, on the evening of August 23, 2024, at the International Conference Center of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), a ceremony was held to unveil the National Program for the Development and Support of Knowledge-Based Gazelles. This event also included the introduction of 12 knowledge-based gazelles and the symbolic awarding of prizes to the first and 10,000th knowledge-based companies. The ceremony was attended by the Vice President for Science, Technology, and Knowledge-Based Economy, Nasrin Soltanzadeh, the Vice President for Science and Technology during the tenth government, Mahdi Ghazanfari, Managing Director of the National Development Fund, and various stakeholders in the knowledge-based sector.
The concept of “gazelles” was introduced in 1981 and refers to rapidly growing companies, whether large or small and medium-sized, that have not yet reached maturity.
In Iran, thanks to the efforts of the Knowledge-Based Companies Development Department and after several months of study, a framework was defined for identifying knowledge-based gazelles. These companies are larger than a certain threshold, employing 200 people and achieving annual sales of about 4 million dollors. They have shown significant growth over the past 3 to 5 years.
12 Knowledge-Based Gazelles Introduced / Awards Presented to the First and 10,000th Knowledge-Based Companies
During the event, the National Program for the Development and Support of Knowledge-Based Gazelles was unveiled. Twelve knowledge-based gazelles were introduced, and symbolic awards and commemorative plaques were presented to the first and 10,000th knowledge-based companies.
Knowledge-Based Companies Reach 10,000 by the End of July
At the beginning of the ceremony, the Deputy for Knowledge-Based Companies Development discussed the evolution of the knowledge-based ecosystem over the past three decades. He explained that the 1990s were marked by the expansion of higher education, the 2000s by research, and the 2010s by the establishment of knowledge-based companies, resulting in a significant increase in their number.
Reza Asadi Fard emphasized that after the formation of knowledge-based companies, it was essential to determine their economic impact on the country’s economy based on the Knowledge-Based Leap Law. He noted that a special supportive approach was developed in the past two years to foster the growth of knowledge-based companies, culminating in the celebration of reaching 10,000 knowledge-based companies.
Conditions for Becoming a Gazelle
Asadi Fard outlined the criteria for companies to be classified as knowledge-based gazelles: they must have annual sales of at least 4 million dollors, with 25% of that being knowledge-based, employ at least 200 people, and have one million dollars in exports. He also noted that 1.7% of all knowledge-based companies meet these criteria and account for 49% of total sales and knowledge-based product sales.
He emphasized that gazelle companies should show an average annual growth rate of 50% over the past five years, a minimum sales growth rate of 30%, and a 20% annual increase in employment over the last three years. A special growth plan for each knowledge-based company is being developed with the participation of the companies themselves, and a dedicated support program will be designed and implemented to achieve these growth goals.
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