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Jan 2, 2019 · 19m · a16z

a16z Podcast | Layering Tech and Culture in Iran

Nazanin Daneshwar · 12m spoken Chris Schroeder · 5m spoken Sonal Chokshi · 33s spoken
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In this episode of the a16z Podcast, Takhfifan founder Nazanin Daneshwar and venture capitalist Christopher Schroeder explore Iran's rapidly evolving tech landscape, highlighting bottom-up entrepreneurial growth, infrastructure improvements, and female empowerment despite regulatory and cultural hurdles.

How this conversation actually went

Every chapter scored 0–10 on four independent dynamics. Hover any point for the reasoning behind the score. The host holds 3% of the talking time here. How this is scored →

The host as informed peer 5.0 Guest teaching 4.8 Guest disagreement 1.6 The host pushing back 2.0
05100:0010:001:21–5:51 · The host as informed peer 2/10 Nazanin Daneshwar's Story and Overcoming Gender Barriers Nazanin educates Chris on the stark gender barriers in Iranian business culture, describing how she had to bring her father to sales meetings as a figurehead CEO to close deals. Chris acts primarily as an encouraging listener, prompting her story without challenging her account.5:51–9:21 · The host as informed peer 7/10 The Rapid Evolution of Iran's Startup Ecosystem Chris demonstrates substantial background knowledge by citing multi-billion dollar infrastructure figures and subscriber metrics from the ICT minister. He offers mild pushback by asking if the government minister was exaggerating stats, which Nazanin confirms align with real 3G deployment.9:21–12:54 · The host as informed peer 5/10 Shifting Consumer Behaviors and Cultural Attitudes Toward Failure Chris frames global cultural attitudes towards startup failure, while Nazanin reframes the narrative that successful founders are special exceptions or superstars. The dynamic remains collaborative, focusing on shifting societal perceptions of risk.12:54–15:47 · The host as informed peer 4/10 Scaling Takhfifan and Growing International Interest Nazanin gives an insider perspective on the iBridges gathering in Berlin, schooling the host on how US sanctions restrict American investors while European funds actively operate in Iran. Chris asks targeted questions to draw out attendance details and investor dynamics.15:47–18:46 · The host as informed peer 7/10 Social Media Access, VPN Usage, and Female Tech Empowerment Chris cites impressive statistics on Iranian internet penetration and iPhone usage, asking how citizens navigate digital bans. Nazanin explains widespread VPN usage and highlights the role of tech in empowering female entrepreneurs.1:21–5:51 · Guest teaching 6/10 Nazanin Daneshwar's Story and Overcoming Gender Barriers Nazanin educates Chris on the stark gender barriers in Iranian business culture, describing how she had to bring her father to sales meetings as a figurehead CEO to close deals. Chris acts primarily as an encouraging listener, prompting her story without challenging her account.5:51–9:21 · Guest teaching 3/10 The Rapid Evolution of Iran's Startup Ecosystem Chris demonstrates substantial background knowledge by citing multi-billion dollar infrastructure figures and subscriber metrics from the ICT minister. He offers mild pushback by asking if the government minister was exaggerating stats, which Nazanin confirms align with real 3G deployment.9:21–12:54 · Guest teaching 5/10 Shifting Consumer Behaviors and Cultural Attitudes Toward Failure Chris frames global cultural attitudes towards startup failure, while Nazanin reframes the narrative that successful founders are special exceptions or superstars. The dynamic remains collaborative, focusing on shifting societal perceptions of risk.12:54–15:47 · Guest teaching 6/10 Scaling Takhfifan and Growing International Interest Nazanin gives an insider perspective on the iBridges gathering in Berlin, schooling the host on how US sanctions restrict American investors while European funds actively operate in Iran. Chris asks targeted questions to draw out attendance details and investor dynamics.15:47–18:46 · Guest teaching 4/10 Social Media Access, VPN Usage, and Female Tech Empowerment Chris cites impressive statistics on Iranian internet penetration and iPhone usage, asking how citizens navigate digital bans. Nazanin explains widespread VPN usage and highlights the role of tech in empowering female entrepreneurs.1:21–5:51 · Guest disagreement 1/10 Nazanin Daneshwar's Story and Overcoming Gender Barriers Nazanin educates Chris on the stark gender barriers in Iranian business culture, describing how she had to bring her father to sales meetings as a figurehead CEO to close deals. Chris acts primarily as an encouraging listener, prompting her story without challenging her account.5:51–9:21 · Guest disagreement 1/10 The Rapid Evolution of Iran's Startup Ecosystem Chris demonstrates substantial background knowledge by citing multi-billion dollar infrastructure figures and subscriber metrics from the ICT minister. He offers mild pushback by asking if the government minister was exaggerating stats, which Nazanin confirms align with real 3G deployment.9:21–12:54 · Guest disagreement 3/10 Shifting Consumer Behaviors and Cultural Attitudes Toward Failure Chris frames global cultural attitudes towards startup failure, while Nazanin reframes the narrative that successful founders are special exceptions or superstars. The dynamic remains collaborative, focusing on shifting societal perceptions of risk.12:54–15:47 · Guest disagreement 2/10 Scaling Takhfifan and Growing International Interest Nazanin gives an insider perspective on the iBridges gathering in Berlin, schooling the host on how US sanctions restrict American investors while European funds actively operate in Iran. Chris asks targeted questions to draw out attendance details and investor dynamics.15:47–18:46 · Guest disagreement 1/10 Social Media Access, VPN Usage, and Female Tech Empowerment Chris cites impressive statistics on Iranian internet penetration and iPhone usage, asking how citizens navigate digital bans. Nazanin explains widespread VPN usage and highlights the role of tech in empowering female entrepreneurs.1:21–5:51 · The host pushing back 1/10 Nazanin Daneshwar's Story and Overcoming Gender Barriers Nazanin educates Chris on the stark gender barriers in Iranian business culture, describing how she had to bring her father to sales meetings as a figurehead CEO to close deals. Chris acts primarily as an encouraging listener, prompting her story without challenging her account.5:51–9:21 · The host pushing back 4/10 The Rapid Evolution of Iran's Startup Ecosystem Chris demonstrates substantial background knowledge by citing multi-billion dollar infrastructure figures and subscriber metrics from the ICT minister. He offers mild pushback by asking if the government minister was exaggerating stats, which Nazanin confirms align with real 3G deployment.9:21–12:54 · The host pushing back 2/10 Shifting Consumer Behaviors and Cultural Attitudes Toward Failure Chris frames global cultural attitudes towards startup failure, while Nazanin reframes the narrative that successful founders are special exceptions or superstars. The dynamic remains collaborative, focusing on shifting societal perceptions of risk.12:54–15:47 · The host pushing back 1/10 Scaling Takhfifan and Growing International Interest Nazanin gives an insider perspective on the iBridges gathering in Berlin, schooling the host on how US sanctions restrict American investors while European funds actively operate in Iran. Chris asks targeted questions to draw out attendance details and investor dynamics.15:47–18:46 · The host pushing back 2/10 Social Media Access, VPN Usage, and Female Tech Empowerment Chris cites impressive statistics on Iranian internet penetration and iPhone usage, asking how citizens navigate digital bans. Nazanin explains widespread VPN usage and highlights the role of tech in empowering female entrepreneurs.

speaking balance: gold is the host, purple is the guest (3 minute bins)

0:00 · the host 18% · guest 82%0:00 · the host 18% · guest 82%3:00 · the host 0% · guest 100%3:00 · the host 0% · guest 100%6:00 · the host 0% · guest 100%6:00 · the host 0% · guest 100%9:00 · the host 0% · guest 100%9:00 · the host 0% · guest 100%12:00 · the host 0% · guest 100%12:00 · the host 0% · guest 100%15:00 · the host 1.8% · guest 98.2%15:00 · the host 1.8% · guest 98.2%18:00 · the host 0% · guest 100%18:00 · the host 0% · guest 100%
Sharpest disagreement ▶ 10:20 Nazanin reframes the 'superstar entrepreneur' narrative

Nazanin pushes back on the common perception that successful Iranian founders are rare exceptions, emphasizing that they are ordinary people who simply showed the courage to quit comfortable jobs.

 Hardest push from the host ▶ 8:25 Chris questions government minister claims

Chris challenges the official optimistic narrative by asking Nazanin directly whether the ICT minister was just telling him what he wanted to hear regarding multi-billion dollar tech infrastructure plans.

 Biggest teaching moment ▶ 15:02 Nazanin highlights sanction impacts on US vs European VCs

Nazanin educates the interviewer on the practical realities of sanctions, contrasting hesitant American investors with European venture funds who actively negotiate deals in the Iranian market.

 The host holds their own ▶ 7:55 Chris details Iranian tech infrastructure spending

Chris demonstrates deep domain expertise by detailing exact figures regarding Iran's $4 billion spent on tech infrastructure, projected $25 billion commitments, and 20 million mobile subscriber growth.
the scores for every segment, with the reasoning behind each
ChapterTopicThe host as informed peerGuest teachingGuest disagreementThe host pushing backWhy
Nazanin Daneshwar's Story and Overcoming Gender Barriers 2611 Nazanin educates Chris on the stark gender barriers in Iranian business culture, describing how she had to bring her father to sales meetings as a figurehead CEO to close deals. Chris acts primarily as an encouraging listener, prompting her story without challenging her account.
The Rapid Evolution of Iran's Startup Ecosystem 7314 Chris demonstrates substantial background knowledge by citing multi-billion dollar infrastructure figures and subscriber metrics from the ICT minister. He offers mild pushback by asking if the government minister was exaggerating stats, which Nazanin confirms align with real 3G deployment.
Shifting Consumer Behaviors and Cultural Attitudes Toward Failure 5532 Chris frames global cultural attitudes towards startup failure, while Nazanin reframes the narrative that successful founders are special exceptions or superstars. The dynamic remains collaborative, focusing on shifting societal perceptions of risk.
Scaling Takhfifan and Growing International Interest 4621 Nazanin gives an insider perspective on the iBridges gathering in Berlin, schooling the host on how US sanctions restrict American investors while European funds actively operate in Iran. Chris asks targeted questions to draw out attendance details and investor dynamics.
Social Media Access, VPN Usage, and Female Tech Empowerment 7412 Chris cites impressive statistics on Iranian internet penetration and iPhone usage, asking how citizens navigate digital bans. Nazanin explains widespread VPN usage and highlights the role of tech in empowering female entrepreneurs.

Statements from this episode (14)

Prediction Not checkable as stated
Daneshwar avoids logistics-heavy business models in Iran
“So by that time, I promised to myself, I'm not going to get into another business model that involves logistics,”
Nazanin Daneshwar Jan 2, 2019 ▶ 2:16
Assertion Not checkable as stated
Takhfifan grows to over one million customers and 60 employees
“We started as two people, and now we are basically having more than one million customers, and we are operating in seven cities, and we have grown to 60 people.”
Nazanin Daneshwar Jan 2, 2019 ▶ 2:28
Assertion Contradicted
Schroeder: Half of engineering graduates in Iran are women
“I mean, and certainly half of the engineering graduates every year are women.”
Chris Schroeder Jan 2, 2019 ▶ 2:46
Assertion Partly supported
Nearly all Iranian universities now offer entrepreneurship programs
“Now pretty much all the universities have that, but by those years, I mean, just one of the universities had the entrepreneurship field for studying for people.”
Nazanin Daneshwar Jan 2, 2019 ▶ 6:23
Assertion Supported
Schroeder: Iran has over 31 government-backed incubators and accelerators
“There were over 31 government-backed incubators and accelerators with some pretty interesting technology”
Chris Schroeder Jan 2, 2019 ▶ 6:59
Assertion Not checkable as stated
Daneshwar: Takhfifan faced no government barriers launching in Iran
“Well, we didn't have any barrier or any problem, you know, facing from the government side to start a company.”
Nazanin Daneshwar Jan 2, 2019 ▶ 7:49
Assertion Supported
Daneshwar: 3G mobile data in Iran costs three dollars monthly
“So you pay three dollars a month and you have a pretty good access to three G, which I'm always using, you know, it's incredible.”
Nazanin Daneshwar Jan 2, 2019 ▶ 9:03
Disclosure
Takhfifan completely eliminated cash-on-delivery payment options
“I'm basically quite delighted to say that like last year, the number of cash and delivery orders were so low that we just canceled the whole payment method. So now we don't do any more cash and delivery. It's just online payment plus like a card payment, ATM p…”
Nazanin Daneshwar Jan 2, 2019 ▶ 9:31
Assertion Not checkable as stated
European investors and American executives visit Tehran to explore tech opportunities
“There are already, like, lots of Europeans that have visited our office, they have been in Tehran, there are some of them already in Tehran, they have offices. I even heard, like, from a very famous company that I cannot name, one of their top managers, the Am…”
Nazanin Daneshwar Jan 2, 2019 ▶ 13:51
Assertion Supported
Daneshwar: US sanctions prevent American VCs from investing in Iranian startups
“Americans are sanctioned, so they are always running around, they are looking at the companies, they are talking to them, etc., I mean, but the fact is when it comes to the real serious story, they just say, oops, sorry, you know, we are Americans, we have to …”
Nazanin Daneshwar Jan 2, 2019 ▶ 15:24
Assertion Partly supported
Schroeder: Over six million illegal iPhones are in use in Iran
“IPhones are illegal, and there are over six million iPhones there.”
Chris Schroeder Jan 2, 2019 ▶ 16:26
Assertion Supported
Daneshwar: Iranians routinely use VPNs to access blocked social media platforms
“Facebook advertisement is closed for Iranians, like Google AdWords as well, but the fact that people here are having the full access to Twitter, to Facebook, and Facebook is blocked by the government as well, but we are going through the VPNs, so everybody is …”
Nazanin Daneshwar Jan 2, 2019 ▶ 16:43
Assertion Not checkable as stated
Schroeder: Iran and the Middle East have more female entrepreneurs than Silicon Valley
“It amazes me how across the region and in Iran, maybe even more so, I find more women entrepreneurs than I find in Silicon Valley.”
Chris Schroeder Jan 2, 2019 ▶ 17:28
Prediction Not checkable as stated
Daneshwar: Iran's startup ecosystem will mirror Berlin within three to five years
“Well, I mean, to be honest I can already see, like, we are going to be at a super competitive market, like, that the whole idea, like, I remember from Berlin time, when I was living there are still cafes that we were, like, sitting there, and we just said, don…”
Nazanin Daneshwar Jan 2, 2019 ▶ 18:54
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