Divan - Persian Entrepreneurs Community

Latest News

Join Divan team

The Divan Hackathon is a 3-week fully online intensive program designed to empower the next generation of startup founders. Now We are looking for volunteers for our second hackathon! 🎨💻✨ Graphic Designer 📱📈📢 Social Media Specialist 🎬✂️🎥 Video Editor 📩 Interested? Apply now and let’s create something memorable together. https://divanac.formaloo.me/pi81of

6 months ago

Divan Hackathon Winter 2026

A 3-Week Hackathon for Early-Stage Startups The Divan Hackathon is back. After the success of the first edition, with 355 applications, 50 teams from 11 countries, 27 mentors, 10 workshops, and 14 finalists, we’re evolving the format to create an even stronger launchpad for early-stage founders. Whether you're validating a new idea, refining your early product, or preparing for your first customers, the Divan Hackathon is designed to give you the mentorship, momentum, and structure to move fast and build something real. This time, every startup can participate (not only AI). Teams are prioritized, but individual founders are also welcome. We’re not just looking for built products, we’re looking for early-stage startups with ambition. Starts January 17th, 2026 Apply Now : https://hackathon.divan.ac

6 months ago

The Hamfounder engine is officially FIRING! 🔥

Yesterday wasn't just a meeting; it was proof that the narrative is changing. We’ve always heard that collective action is 'hard,' but seeing this Founding Core align with such clarity and speed proves otherwise. We are moving from 'profiles' to 'purposeful action' globally. 🚀 It is a profound honor for me to start this professional journey alongside such incredible Iranian founders from all corners of the world. Together, we are building something truly meaningful—a lasting legacy for the next generation. I’m deeply convinced that as we grow side-by-side, we will learn and discover so much more in this collective adventure. I’m incredibly proud of this group. Please help us spread the word and share this with your network of builders. Let’s make this movement grow together! 📽️ The full session recording will be available on our YouTube channel soon. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSt-ow8A5p0 We are here to prove one thing: Together, we are unstoppable, and the future of Iranian entrepreneurship is collaborative. Building Trust. Building Together. Early access is now open — be among the first to join! 👉 www.hamfounder.com

7 months ago

Looking Back at Divan London and What’s Coming Next

During London Tech Week last summer, we hosted the Divan London gathering, an evening that brought together an incredible mix of founders, engineers, designers, and creative minds from across the tech scene. People joined from London and beyond, sharing their journeys, lessons, and ideas around building products, startups, and communities. It was one of those rare nights where the conversations were as diverse as they were inspiring, from early-stage founders to experienced entrepreneurs, all exchanging perspectives and stories that stayed with us long after the event. What made it even more special was how many of those connections have continued. Several collaborations, side projects, and friendships began that evening, showing once again how powerful it can be when curious and driven people come together. Since then, Divan Academy has continued to grow as a space for builders to learn, collaborate, and turn ideas into real products. Over the past few months, we have hosted the first Divan Hackathon, that have connected hundreds of people from around the world, all with the same shared goal: to learn by doing. Now, we are preparing the next Divan London event. If you would like to be part of the upcoming gathering and get updates about future meetups, hackathons, and workshops, follow us here: 👉 https://lu.ma/divan We are excited to bring everyone together again, old friends and new faces, to continue building what is next, together!

9 months ago

Unlock the "Global Iranians Advantage"

At Hamfounder, we’re not just building a platform—we’re architecting a movement. A global launchpad designed to unite the Iranian diaspora’s untapped entrepreneurial power across borders, time zones, and sectors. Whether you're in San Francisco, Toronto, Tehran, Berlin, London, Paris, or Dubai, Hamfounder is your strategic bridge to globally-minded co-founders, impact-driven investors, and deep domain experts who speak your language, literally and culturally. Through cross-border collaboration, we’re empowering a new generation of Iranian entrepreneurs to build globally relevant, future-defining companies. Early access is now open — be among the first to join!

9 months ago

Solenery Simplifies Canada’s Path to Clean Energy | Pre-Seed announced

Canada’s clean energy transition hinges not only on policy and technology, but on the everyday decisions of households and businesses. Yet for many Canadians, the path to installing solar panels or adopting other net-zero solutions remains unclear, with questions about cost, incentives, and trusted providers often stalling progress. That’s where Solenery comes in. Founded by Arshia Jahangiri, a four-time entrepreneur with deep experience in cleantech and innovation, the AI-powered platform is designed to make clean energy adoption simple, transparent, and confidence-driven. From feasibility snapshots by postal code to streamlined access to rebates, loans, and vetted installers, Solenery bridges the gap between interest and action.

9 months ago

When “no” means “yes”: Why AI chatbots can’t process Persian social etiquette

New study examines how a helpful AI response could become a cultural disaster in Iran.

9 months ago

Last Call to Join Divan Hackathon Summer 2025!📢

Be part of a 3-week fully online AI-focused challenge where you’ll build, innovate, and launch real solutions with world-class mentors. Join solo or with a team - No idea? No problem! Work on your own or get matched with a project - 100% free (scholarship for all accepted participants) - Focus on AI SaaS platforms, scalable product development, ChatGPT & AI, n8n automation, and machine learning Spots are filling fast – apply now to shape the future of innovation!

10 months ago

American Express x DMZ: $10K Grants for Canadian Small Businesses

We’re thrilled to announce an opportunity for Canadian small business owners! In partnership with American Express Canada, DMZ at Toronto Metropolitan University is offering $10,000 CAD grants plus access to mentorship for 100 small businesses making a difference in their communities. Applications are now open! Deadline: June 9, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. EST Apply here: https://dmz.torontomu.ca/amexbackingsmall If you're ready to grow your business and make a bigger impact, don’t miss this opportunity. Terms and Eligibility Criteria Apply. Link: https://dmz.torontomu.ca/amexbackingsmall

a year ago

CanExport Innovation Returns June 1 with Up to $75K in Funding

The CanExport Innovation program is re-opening on June 1! This federal program offers up to $75,000 per project, covering 75% of eligible costs to help Canadian organizations establish new collaborative R&D partnerships with international partners. Due to high demand, the previous intake closed within two weeks - we expect the same this time. Get ready and apply early! Link: https://www.tradecommissioner.gc.ca/funding-financement/canexport/innovation/index.aspx?lang=eng

a year ago

Top Discussions

View All / Add Discussion →

Moein

a year ago

Introducing yourself to the community! 👋

Introduce yourself, spark connections, and get to know other community members. Create a post to help us get to know you better. You can use these sample questions to start with: What is your current role? Share some of your skills and experience! What's your favorite thing about working with communities? What are your top 3 goals for your community? What have you learned recently about community building/community engagement?

a year ago

Moein

a year ago

Community Spotlight: Share Your Success Stories

This space has seen so much growth and connection. Do you have a success story or a memorable interaction on our forum that you'd like to share? Let's celebrate our community wins!

a year ago

Moein

a year ago

What Would You Like to See Here?

Let's brainstorm together! If you could add any new feature to our forum, what would it be? Looking for ideas that would make your experience here even better.

a year ago