INOTEX 2026 Panel Debates Role of Iranian Diaspora in Digital Economy

During a specialized panel at the Iran International Innovation & Technology Exhibition (INOTEX), tech leaders outlined diverse strategies for engaging the global Iranian diaspora. According to the INOTEX 2026 News Center, the discussion highlighted that diaspora engagement extends beyond financial remittances to include critical knowledge transfer and mentorship.

Key perspectives and strategic recommendations highlighted include:

• Economic Potential: Hossein Nazarlband, former CEO of Shenasa, highlighted the diaspora's estimated $10 trillion wealth as a massive, untapped economic opportunity that must not be isolated from Iran's domestic ecosystem.
• Addressing Root Causes: Nima Namdari, CEO of Karnameh, argued that focusing solely on capital inflow is misguided. He stressed that sustainable engagement requires addressing the decades-long policies that drove talent migration in the first place.
• Mentorship Over Capital: Sara Shahrokhi, founder of the crowdfunding platform Ifa, proposed a scalable mentorship model where diaspora experts guide local startups, proving that impactful connections do not always require deep financial investment.
• Sustained Connectivity: Panelists agreed that maintaining organic, sustained connections between domestic tech actors and global Iranian professionals is vital, viewing migration not as a loss but as an opportunity for network expansion.

The panel concluded that while the diaspora represents a vital asset, building resilient bridges requires moving beyond criticism to foster practical, knowledge-driven collaborations that benefit the domestic innovation ecosystem.

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