“Connect” Platform Facilitates the Transfer of Global Expertise to Iran’s Innovation Ecosystem

Speaking at the sixth Connect Forum event, Seyed Ali Hosseini highlighted the participation of 18 knowledge-based companies—founded by Iranian specialists who have returned from abroad—presenting their work at the Connect Pavilion.
“The Connect platform serves as an opportunity to link non-resident Iranian experts, elites, and entrepreneurs with the country’s innovation ecosystem,” he said.

According to the Communications and Information Center of the Iranian Vice Presidency for Science, Technology, and Knowledge-based Economy, the sixth Connect Forum was held on June 10, 2025, alongside the 26th Iran Health Exhibition. The event brought together a group of Iranian experts, elites, and entrepreneurs with academic and professional backgrounds in leading international universities and companies. The forum took place at the iHit Hall.

In his remarks, Hosseini — who serves as Deputy Head of the Office for Scientific Relations and Human Capital Development and Director of the Connect Platform — explained:
“One of the primary goals of this program is to create a platform for returning Iranian experts to share their experiences, knowledge, and expertise with local professionals, companies, and those engaged in the country’s technology and innovation ecosystem. We are proud to say that this goal has already been largely achieved through past Connect events, and today we are seeing its positive outcomes.”

He continued:
“These experts, who have studied and worked professionally abroad and have now returned, have established their own knowledge-based companies, developed new technologies within Iran, and are contributing their scientific and academic achievements to Iranian students and researchers. This bridge between global experience and local capacities is one of the most valuable assets of our country’s innovation ecosystem.”

Hosseini also pointed to Connect Forum’s efforts to showcase the accomplishments of returning experts:
“Another objective of the program is to highlight the capabilities of these professionals and entrepreneurs at exhibitions and various industry events. By doing so, we aim to ensure that these talents are visible to industrial leaders, tech innovators, academia, and policymakers, thereby paving the way for greater collaboration, investment, and growth.”

Referring to the significance of the Iran Health exhibition, he added:
“This event is one of the largest and most well-attended exhibitions in the healthcare and medical equipment sector in Iran, drawing broad interest each year. We at Connect sought to take full advantage of this valuable opportunity by ensuring a strong and purposeful presence. By inviting returning Iranian experts and entrepreneurs, we have created a platform here to showcase their capabilities and foster professional networking.”

Inviting visitors to explore the Connect Pavilion, Hosseini said:
“I encourage all visitors to stop by Hall 35 and explore the Connect Pavilion, where the achievements of 18 active knowledge-based companies in biotechnology, medical technologies, and pharmaceuticals — all founded by returning Iranian experts — are on display. This group represents just a small portion of roughly 400 knowledge-based companies launched by returnees, which are actively contributing to various scientific, industrial, and technological fields.”

He emphasized that:
“These companies have made significant advancements in healthcare and medical technologies. Their presence at Iran Health 2025 is a testament to the high capacity of Iranian experts in transferring knowledge and technology, as well as their impactful role in driving the country’s economic development.”

It is worth noting that the Connect program has been spearheaded by the Organization for the Development of International Scientific and Technological Cooperation since 2015, with the aim of engaging the global Iranian scientific community and leveraging their expertise to strengthen the national innovation ecosystem. To date, the program has successfully identified, recruited, and supported numerous Iranian specialists abroad, leading to the establishment of hundreds of innovative knowledge-based companies within the country.