Innovative ecosystem by the example of Silicon Valley to be created in Kazan

Elements of ecosystem of Silicon Valley will be implemented in Kazan. This has been announced today at briefing in RT Cabinet “on results of working visit of RT delegation headed by the President Rustam Minnikhanov to USA”.

On November, 15-21 RT delegation was with official visit in Silicon Valley (USA). The delegation headed by the President Rustam Minnikhanov consisted of RT Vice-premier – Minister of informatization and communications Nikolai Nikiforov, Director of RT Investment-venture fund Ainur Aideldinov, Director General of JSC “Tatneft” Shafagat Takhautdinov, Aide to RT President Iskander Mouflikhanov, rectors of major universities and academic institutes of republic.

Silicon Valley is a region in California State famous for a large number of high-tech companies which are engaged into elaborations and production of computers and their components, particularly microprocessors, software, mobile communication devices, biotechnologies. Original English name of the valley originates from using silicon as a semi-conductor in production of microprocessors. This was the industry which gave rise to the history of valley as technological centre.

The main purpose of visit is to consolidate relations with representatives of Silicon Valley - its investors and companies. The program of visit included presentation of Tatarstan potential for the purpose of developing venture industry and a number of meetings with leading world companies - leaders in the sphere of venture investments, innovations and high technologies such as «Amprius», «Solexant», «Tiandi Energy», «Verifone» and others.

President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov started his working visit from one of the largest venture funds “New Enterprise Associates” (NEA) and well-known Stanford University.
Head of republic spoke to officials of investment and venture companies of Silicon Valley, met with representatives of Tatar community living in USA. Currently about 300 Tatar families live in USA. Two associations maintain and develop cultural heritage of Tatar people – American Turkish-Tatar Association and Association of American Tatars.

Nikolai Nikiforov told that the trip to Silicon Valley had been very interesting and informative. The program was divided into three stages: official visit, meetings with venture companies and visit to universities. The main goal was to learn how innovations and know-how may be implemented in Tatarstan.

According to Vice-premier, it is necessary to create favorable conditions for emerging of ideas and their commercialization via venture mechanisms. Constantly the mentality of young people should be changed, they have to that their ideas and projects will be supported. By results of the visit, RT President gave some assignments, Iskander Mouflikhanov said.