A Historical Narrative of the Pattern of Formation and Development of Empowerment Services for New Knowledge-Based Companies in the Innovation and Prosperity Fund

Technology and knowledge-based companies are one of the main axes of developing the knowledge-based economy in the country, and therefore the capabilities of these companies are important. In the last two decades, relatively large financial and legal support has been provided to these companies, but their managerial and organizational empowerment has often been neglected. Accordingly, the Innovation and Prosperity Fund (from 2015 to 2021) has provided empowerment services to knowledge-based companies. In this article, through a case study method and using the available documents, statistics and evidences and conducting 21 semi-structured interviews, the historical narrative of the formation and development of empowerment services, its patterns and limitations from the beginning to the present has been discussed. Based on the research findings, three factors: understanding the necessity of such services, the existence of similar structures and institutions at the international level and the emphasis of senior management of the fund on the importance and necessity of empowerment services have been effective in shaping these services. Also, the three shortcomings of non-synchronization of empowerment services with other financial services of the fund are the lack of capable companies and specialized personnel to provide empowerment services and concentration of services in the developed provinces are the challenges facing these services in the future. Findings of this article have policy implications for knowledge-based economy policymakers in developing empowerment services for knowledge-based companies.