30 Leading AI Startup Teams Reach MVP Stage at Novatech Innovation Event

Thirty of the country's leading artificial intelligence startup teams have advanced to the product development stage at the Novatech innovation event showcasing innovations across healthcare, fintech, agriculture, tourism, and security. according to the event's secretary. Speaking at the closing ceremony, Ali Lotfi, Secretary of the Novatech Event, announced that 30 outstanding teams from across Iran successfully developed their AI-driven ideas into minimum viable products (MVPs). The participating startups focused on a wide range of sectors, including healthcare, agriculture, tourism, financial technology (fintech), security, and other technology fields.

Lotfi said the nationwide startup event began in the winter of 2025 and attracted more than 1,200 participants seeking to develop innovative AI-based business ideas. The first stage of the competition included technical assessments and skills evaluations. Participants with sufficient expertise in product management, software engineering, and artificial intelligence advanced to the next phase. Organizers then facilitated team formation by connecting qualified participants into groups of three or four members, while some entrants participated as pre-existing teams.

Nearly 200 business proposals were submitted and evaluated during the selection process. Teams were assessed based on multiple technical and commercial criteria, with those demonstrating strong business potential advancing to the product development stage. In total, 40 teams entered the product development program, where they received technical and business training designed to help transform their ideas into commercially viable products.

By the conclusion of the event, approximately 30 teams had successfully completed the program and developed MVPs. Several startups unveiled their products during the event, some already have active users, and others have secured agreements with investors. A technology exhibition held alongside the closing ceremony provided participating teams with an opportunity to showcase their products, connect with investors, and explore financing opportunities to support future growth. Six of the top-performing teams were selected to present their products during the closing ceremony.

The event awarded a total of 350 million tomans in cash prizes. The first-place team will receive 200 million tomans, the second-place team 100 million tomans, and the third-place team 50 million tomans.

Lotfi also announced that around 20 additional teams are expected to receive support through investment opportunities and financial assistance. Organizers hope the event will facilitate approximately 10 billion tomans in investment for participating startups.

The competition attracted teams from cities across Iran, including Shiraz, Isfahan, Mashhad, Tehran, and Kerman. Participants represented universities nationwide, while some teams included students who had not yet entered university.

Lotfi concluded by highlighting the participation of exceptionally young innovators, including a team of teenage Olympiad students who demonstrated impressive expertise in artificial intelligence and related technologies, earning a place among the event's top-performing teams.