Startup Visa and the Iranian Entrepreneurial Ecosystem: How Can Entrepreneurial Outflow Be Prevented?
Keywords:
Entrepreneurship, Startup Visa, Entrepreneurial Outflow, Entrepreneurial Ecosystem, IranAbstract
The objective of this study was to design a model for preventing the outflow of entrepreneurs through startup visas from the Iranian entrepreneurial ecosystem. This research was conducted using an exploratory sequential mixed-methods strategy in two qualitative and quantitative phases to identify the dimensions and components influencing this phenomenon and to develop the proposed model. In the qualitative phase, employing an interpretive paradigm and thematic analysis, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 experts (5 individuals holding a startup visa and 5 university faculty members). The qualitative statistical population consisted of entrepreneurs, ideators, startup visa holders, and scholars specializing in this field, selected through snowball sampling until theoretical saturation was reached. In the quantitative phase, a researcher-made questionnaire using a five-point Likert scale was distributed among 384 entrepreneurs, startup managers, and knowledge-based companies supported by the Science and Technology Park. Data analysis was performed using SMARTPLS and ISM software. The findings indicated that infrastructural deficiencies (35% of responses), lack of effective financial support (28% of responses), and legal and bureaucratic barriers (22% of responses) were the most significant reasons for entrepreneurs’ inclination toward migration. Moreover, weaknesses in professional networking (12%) and the absence of targeted educational programs (3%) were identified as complementary factors. In the quantitative phase, the proposed model—comprising six dimensions of financial support, technological infrastructure, policymaking, education, networking, and entrepreneurial culture—was confirmed. The results suggest that designing an effective model to prevent entrepreneurial outflow requires strengthening technological infrastructure, improving financial support mechanisms, and reforming bureaucratic policies.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Ali Memari Sohi (Author); Mohammad Javad Taghipourian; Mahnaz Rahmati Kazaz, Maryam Rahmaty (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
