Rustam Minnikhanov: "Skolkovo foundation creates innovative environment in regions"

On February 28 at a round table session on results of first rounds of startup tour 2014 within the framework of Krasnoyarsk economic forum Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov said that Russian Startup Tour project implemented by Skolkovo foundation creates innovative environment in regions.

Vide-Premier of Russian Government Arkady Dvorkovich and President of Skolkovo foundation Viktor Vekselberg took part in the session.

Russian Startup Tour 2014 is a road show of representatives of innovative economy that is held in 26 Russian cities. Representatives of development institutions visit regions to see presentations of innovative projects. 13 cities have already taken part in Startup Tour 2014. More than 4 thousand innovators took part in regional tours. 85 projects were chosen for further implementation.

“The main purpose is to favour implementation of new projects, unite innovative and business communities, and give opportunity to talented people to realize their ideas. Economic growth depends on your success,” Arkady Dvorkovich said.

“Last year Skolkovo foundation set the task to present opportunities of development institutions in regions, and today participants of the tour set more ambitious tasks, such as promotion of their solutions at Russian and international markets,” Viktor Vekselberg noted. He added that commercialization of innovative ideas requires engineering centres and government support.

Viktor Vekselberg thanked heads of regions for organisation of startup tours.

Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov said he liked the idea of startup tours, and noted that participation of higher educational institutions is also important for successful innovative activity.

Two projects, winners of startup tour in Krasnoyarsk, were presented at the round table session.