Opening Speech: Soudeh Heidari-Nasab and Emphasis on Gradual Growth and Comprehensive Capital

Soudeh Heidari-Nasab, CEO and Board Member of Naqdineh, was the keynote speaker at the event. Drawing on her experiences in entrepreneurship and attracting investment, while pointing out the structural barriers (“glass ceilings”) for women, she emphasized that the new generation of women entrepreneurs faces brighter horizons. Heidari-Nasab highlighted continuous learning, building strong networks, investing in personal abilities, and having the courage to make decisions as crucial factors for success. She also presented a comprehensive view of the concept of capital, noting that it is not limited to financial resources but also includes awareness, effective relationships, and self-belief.

Key Points from Soudeh Heidari-Nasab’s Speech:

• Gradual path of entrepreneurship: Emphasizing the importance of taking continuous and patient steps.
• Capital beyond money: Awareness, effective networking, personal investment, and courage in decision-making as the main pillars of capital.
• New opportunities for the new generation: Expressing optimism about the greater possibilities for young women.

Expert Panel: “The Fine Line Between Investor and Investee” Featuring Leading Women

The main part of the event was an expert panel titled “The Fine Line Between Investor and Investee,” moderated by Soudeh Heidari-Nasab and featuring three prominent women from the ecosystem:

• Negin Daneshvar: Co-founder and CEO of Takhfifan
• Golrokh Davaran: Founder of SnappDoctor
• Mahboubeh Elmieh: Director of Pasargad Venture Capital Fund

This panel discussed the interactions between investors and entrepreneurs, the existing challenges in the fundraising process, and presented practical solutions.

Mahboubeh Elmieh: The Role of the Knowledge-Based Companies Law and the Importance of Continuous Learning

Mahboubeh Elmieh, referring to her past activities in the Vice Presidency for Science and Technology, considered the enactment of the Law on Support for Knowledge-Based Companies as the achievement of a collective effort. She described her professional path as a continuous opportunity for learning and evaluated her transition to the private sector in the same vein. From the perspective of an investor, Elmieh has witnessed the results of past support for startups and, while emphasizing the need for quantitative and qualitative development of knowledge-based companies, expressed optimism about the future of this field.

Soudeh Heidari-Nasab: Building Trust Through Performance and the Benefits of CVCs

Soudeh Heidari-Nasab, focusing on the experience of launching Naqdineh CVC after the Production Leap Law, emphasized that the trust and her selection for this responsibility were based on years of quality work and credibility building. She pointed out the advantage of CVCs in providing startups with access to the facilities of large upstream holdings, such as the banking network and domestic markets, and advised startups to pay special attention to this aspect when choosing an investor.

Negin Daneshvar: The Narrative of Entrepreneurship; From Failure to Success with a Blend of Effort and Learning

Negin Daneshvar frankly described her challenging entrepreneurial journey. She referred to the failure of her first startup and the subsequent formation of Takhfifan, describing the initial stages of customer acquisition and contract signing as difficult but instructive. Daneshvar, emphasizing the importance of analyzing feedback and continuous improvement, considered perseverance and continuous learning as the main pillars of success and optimistically emphasized the role of individual effort.

Conscious Role Modeling for Women’s Empowerment (Intervention by Soudeh Heidari-Nasab)

In response to a question from Golrokh Davaran, Soudeh Heidari-Nasab referred to Naqdineh’s successful investments in businesses founded by women, stating that the main issue is the “lack of recognition and suitable role modeling” for capable women in various industries. Emphasizing the importance of introducing successful female role models to society, especially in less privileged areas, she announced Naqdineh’s plans for special support for women entrepreneurs through a joint fund with the University of Tehran and stressed the need for influential individuals to initiate change themselves.

Panel Conclusion: Appreciation of Experiences and Emphasis on the Role of Women in Management

In summarizing the panel, Golrokh Davaran, while expressing her pleasure in being among experienced women, appreciated their inspiring experiences. Referring to the male-dominated atmosphere of management in Iran, she emphasized the positive and profound impact of entrusting responsibilities to women and considered the company of capable women valuable to herself.

Conclusion

The “From Inspiration to Action” event provided a valuable platform for the exchange of experiences, networking, and inspiration in the field of women’s roles in Iran’s investment and entrepreneurship ecosystem. Emphasizing the importance of role modeling, continuous learning, courage in decision-making, as well as examining the challenges and opportunities ahead, were among the key achievements of this event. This gathering demonstrated that the active and effective presence of women not only contributes to the diversity and dynamism of this ecosystem but can also be a driving force for growth and innovation.