Skolkovo Softlanding Program Launches Tenth Edition
The Program is designed to help foreign innovative startups enter the Russian market via the Skolkovo Innovation Center. 13 – 17 December 34 companies from 18 different countries will have and intense 5-day long agenda.
The Tenth Skolkovo Softlanding Program has drawn 34 companies from all over the globe including first-time participants from Australia, Zimbabwe, Turkey, Pakistan and Netherlands. Startups’ solutions cover key Skolkovo areas such as biomedicine, energy efficiency and industrial technologies with approximately half of the participants pitching IT projects.
Arkady Dvorkovich, Chairman of the Skolkovo Foundation, welcomed the participants: “This time we have quite a few companies from countries that didn’t participate in our program before, including Australia, Pakistan, Turkey, Netherlands and Zimbabwe. Based on the experience of the previous Softlanding Programs we believe that it will give a very good outlook for all the participants regarding the nature of the Russian market, innovative ecosystem, conditions and services available in the Skolkovo and around. You will know how we provide support to startups and also get feedback on your ideas, solutions and business models from one of the best experts. Some companies decide to become the Skolkovo residents after the Softlanding Program, other improve their solutions or even change their ideas completely”.
The Head of the Skolkovo Softlanding Program, Daria Shunina, stated: “Our main mission is to help foreign companies to expand to the Russian market or at least to learn more about it. During these three years and nine editions of the Program we have had 200 companies from 50 different countries”. She also provided general insights into the Russian market, post-pandemic trends, culture, people and communication.
Anna Bezlepkina, Head of projects at the Department of International Cooperation, gave an overview of the Skolkovo Innovation Centre and measures of support offered to startups. She talked in detail about four building blocks that form the Skolkovo ecosystem: startups, industrial partners, investors and Skoltech.
The program takes place from 13 to 17 December. It offers the opportunity to have an insight on the Skolkovo ecosystem, the Russian market, grant support, IP protection, migration legislation etc. Startups will also have the chance to build ties with the biggest Russian corporations with the perspective to work together. During the final two days, companies will pitch their solutions individually and receive feedback from experts.
To find out more about the Skolkovo Softlanding Program, visit HERE.
