IranCubator 2 (IC2)
Overview
IranCubator 2 is an incubator program focused on developing mobile applications, web platforms, and technological solutions that promote civic engagement, human rights, and social good in Iran. The project connected Iranian civil society leaders with app developers, enabling the creation of innovative solutions that addressed key social issues in Iran.
Role: Director of Civic Tech Products at United for Iran
Duration: Jan 2020 - Jan 2023 (3 years)
Results:
Development of 8 civic tech products, including Nahoft, Haami, and The Last Door serving over 750,000 users
In final performance survey, 75% of the supported civil society activists and organizations reported that IC2 products significantly improved their service delivery to target users
The provided services include 1,685 psychological and social work consultations, 14,631 healthcare services, and 1,800 online course certifications on sexual harassment prevention
Key Products
Nahoft
Meaning "hidden" in Farsi, Nahoft is a state-of-the-art encryption mobile app. If there is an internet shutdown or if the international messaging apps are unavailable, Nahoft can make private communication secure in an insecure network (National Internet Network). Created for Iranian activists, journalists, civil society organizations, and regular people for safe communication, access to information, and human rights advocacy, Nahoft has been downloaded over 22000 times, has been featured in several media pieces worldwide (Vice News, WIRED), has been selected by YouFab as a winning finalist, and has been added to Rights CoLab's Mapping Civil Society Innovation initiative.
Haami
Haami is a Farsi-language mobile app designed to support individuals struggling with addiction by offering daily readings, access to support centers, online resources, and progress tracking. It also provides relaxation tools and crisis support with counselors. With over 75,000 downloads by February 2023 and cloud-based updates, Haami serves as a discreet yet comprehensive recovery aid, helping to destigmatize addiction in Iran and providing critical support to those in need.
The Last Door
The Last Door is a self-discovery game aimed at helping Iranian teenage boys build healthy, respectful, and equal relationships with girls. The game combines visual storytelling, mindfulness practices, and principles from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) to encourage self-awareness and empathy among its users. The game is available on both Android and the web, with over 60,000 downloads and installations. By gamifying critical lessons about gender respect, it tackles sexual harassment prevention at its roots, targeting cultural norms among younger generations.
- Firouzeh Mahmoudi, Founder and President at United for Iran
“Milad oversaw the development of app-for-good programs at United for Iran for over four years. He is dedicated, responsible, thoughtful, knowledgeable, effective, and creative. He recruited many talented members of our team and supported their growth. I appreciate Milad's communication style. He is open, even, and curious.”
Process
1. Community Needs Assessment (CNA):
We began by conducting an in-depth Community Needs Assessment to identify and prioritize the most pressing issues faced by the Iranian population, civil society, and human rights groups. This research was essential in helping us understand the specific challenges that could be addressed through the development of civic tech tools. Through interviews with community leaders, activists, and experts, we gathered valuable insights that informed our product development priorities.
2. Product Ideation:
Building on the CNA, the ideation phase was where we collected and generated ideas for potential solutions. This process involved:
Continuing to interview users, activists, and experts to explore ideas for new products that could address the identified challenges.
Leveraging ideas gathered from the CNA interviews, where participants had already shared insights on potential solutions.
Launching a contest to invite innovative proposals from external sources such as citizens, community leaders and activists.
Presenting at conferences and community gatherings, where individuals approached me with ideas and potential collaborations.
These ideas were then shaped into concepts using techniques like customer letters and startup canvases, laying the groundwork for more rigorous testing.
3. Product Discovery:
After ideation, we entered the Product Discovery phase to rigorously evaluate which ideas were worth investing in. We employed various discovery methods to validate these ideas, including:
Low to high-fidelity prototypes to test user interaction and product viability.
Feasibility prototypes to assess the technical and operational feasibility of different solutions.
Story mapping and usability testing through user research to map user journeys and validate product features with real users.
In some cases, we launched simple products publicly (e.g., a basic WordPress site) to test the value proposition in a real-world setting before full-scale development.
This phase was essential in ensuring that we only moved forward with products that demonstrated both strong potential and clear user value.
* An analysis of the most successful and most-invested products of the incubator.
4. Delivery & Iteration:
After validating the ideas through the Product Discovery phase, we smoothly transitioned into the delivery phase, focusing on the most promising products. These were solutions that showed:
Strong demand from the user base.
Recognition in the media and major publications due to their innovative approaches (e.g., Nahoft for its secure communication features).
The potential to attract additional funding or donor support beyond the initial incubator investment.
The delivery phase was iterative by nature. Products underwent multiple development cycles, with regular budget adjustments for each product—scaling up funding for high-potential ideas while maintaining tighter budgets for others or discontinuing those that underperformed.
By continuously iterating based on user feedback, we ensured that the most impactful solutions remained relevant, scalable, and effective.
* Example of a penetration testing finding for an IC2 app. (Click image for full report.)
5. Transition and Sustainability
As products neared the end of the incubator program’s support, we ensured the long-term sustainability and success of the products beyond the incubator.
Key aspects of this phase included:
Sustainability Planning: We worked with product managers, donors, and community leaders to ensure a clear transition strategy. This included identifying potential partners or additional funding to keep the products running independently.
Knowledge Transfer: We ensured that the teams behind each product were fully equipped to manage operations on their own, without the need for direct support from the incubator. This involved providing technical documentation, training, and ongoing mentorship when necessary.
Open Sourcing Innovations: Whenever possible, and especially when there was significant public interest in a product, we open-sourced its code to ensure the knowledge remained accessible, encouraging public engagement and fostering broader innovation.
Post-Incubator Support: For products that showed high scalability and potential, we facilitated introductions to additional donors and stakeholders, helping them secure future investments and grow beyond the initial scope of IC2.
This final phase allowed us to confidently pass on high-potential products to continue thriving independently, ensuring they had a lasting impact on their target communities.
* U4I's GitHub account showcasing open-sourced products. (Click image to access.)