But despite the disruption, the four-day event has returned with energy, color, and ambition. Elecomp 2025, with hundreds of domestic firms and 18 international companies in attendance, is being presented as a major technology showcase.
Iran’s economy remains under intense pressure. The legacy of sanctions, inflation, currency volatility, and restricted international financing has narrowed the country’s economic options.
But if oil and gas have long dominated Iran’s export strategy, today’s focus on digital transformation may signal a gradual shift in economic thinking
Elecomp has emerged as a platform through which private sector actors—especially knowledge-based firms and startups—seek to position themselves as part of a new economic future.
Walking through the exhibition is like journeying through a microcosm of Iran’s digital landscape. The air is filled with the steady hum of servers, the flicker of LED screens, and the rapid-fire exchange of ideas between engineers, entrepreneurs, and curious visitors.
From artificial intelligence systems that mimic human reasoning to blockchain technologies promising secure transactions, from big data analytics to advanced hardware, Elecomp offers a glimpse into a future being built today.
For international observers, the participation of 18 foreign companies—modest in number but symbolically important—suggests that parts of Iran’s technology sector still hold appeal beyond its borders.
In particular, firms from neighboring countries and Asia appear willing to engage, looking to tap into the country’s educated workforce and expanding domestic market.
The Iranian tech ecosystem remains youthful, with many companies still in early-stage development. But Elecomp is providing them with a rare opportunity - a platform to court investors, attract strategic partners, and gain media exposure.
More crucially, it’s a space to signal that despite political and economic constraints, Iran’s technology entrepreneurs are not standing still.
Perhaps most interesting is the push towards homegrown solutions. One firm from Qom Science and Technology Park is presenting predictive algorithms for industrial maintenance and fault detection—an innovation already being tested in high-voltage power equipment.
The company believes their technology could have broader applications, from fuel transmission systems to broadcast signal networks. It’s a modest case, but emblematic of a trend: technology as a strategic enabler in both civilian and industrial domains.
This reflects a broader government ambition toward “digital sovereignty”—reducing dependence on imported software and infrastructure, particularly from Western countries.
The presence of cyber-security firms, including those offering domestic alternatives to foreign network protection tools, shows that Iran’s private sector is playing a key role in securing critical infrastructure.
There’s also a strategic business dimension to Elecomp. Over the past decade, the exhibition has helped some smaller Iranian companies land contracts with state institutions and even connect with overseas buyers.
Among the sections drawing attention are Elecomp Stars for startups, Elecomp Talks for panel discussions, and Elecomp Games for digital entertainment. This segmentation of the exhibition into sub-domains reflects the maturity of the event and the broader ambition to serve as a mini-ecosystem for innovation.
Organizers are also making a concerted push into new territory such as the inclusion of gold-tech platforms, marking the intersection of traditional markets and fintech.
Yet the underlying theme is how Iran can build a digital economy that is both competitive and resilient.
The challenges are real. While the private sector is gaining momentum, and the country’s startup ecosystem has grown rapidly, infrastructure gaps, bureaucratic bottlenecks, and financial constraints continue to limit potential.
Moreover, capital remains scarce. With limited access to foreign direct investment, companies rely on domestic funding sources, which are often risk-averse.
Despite these obstacles, there’s a sense of momentum. The Iranian private sector—especially among younger entrepreneurs—appears increasingly eager to build bridges, not walls. Many view the digital economy as a way to decouple, at least partially, from older, energy-based economic models.
The presence of industrial giants like Mobarakeh Steel alongside agile software startups shows how the tech sector is reshaping relationships within Iran’s broader economic landscape.
The hope is that this innovation-led approach can foster more inclusive, sustainable growth. In this context, exhibitions like Elecomp serve as informal investment marketplaces.
Over the years, Elecomp has helped many small businesses break into larger markets and establish collaborations with both domestic giants and international partners. The spirit of cooperation and knowledge exchange runs deep, creating a ripple effect that energizes the broader tech community.
In the midst of vibrant displays and innovative demos, one thing is clear: Iran’s technology sector is alive, dynamic, and full of promise. It comes at no time more significant than now, just after three European countries triggered a mechanism reinstating United Nations sanctions on the Islamic Republic for the first time in a decade.
Elecomp reflects this spirit by highlighting how digital creativity and entrepreneurship are creating new opportunities for the country’s future.
Press TV