On September 21, 2012, the Russian prime-minister took part at Skolkovo’s round table, moderated by adviser to the president of the Skolkovo Foundation Pekka Viljakaynen. At his speech at the forum he appealed to create an innovation system, where “administrative implementation of innovations will be replaced by support for young entrepreneurs as a vital interest of business."
He made these statements at Forum’s Skolkovo moderated round table discussion "The role of the state in the innovation process: the institution for development or a competitor to private sector."
The Russian Prime Minister and head of the Board of Trustees of Skolkovo stated that the role of the Russian state is crucial when it comes to grant financing, in the initial stage of implementation of innovative ideas.
The government is just beginning to test the system of larger grants, over 3000 dollars, types of grants enough to start a small businesssaid Dmitry Medvedev.
The model he advocated for during his speech at Sochi is a transition from administrative to vital interests of business incentives, while the state should continue promoting innovations and back them with a system of state funded grants for startups.
The round table was also attended by the founder of Dnevnik.ru venture and Skolkovo’s resident Gabriel Levy, Igor Agamirzyan, CEO of the Russian Venture Company, managing partner of Bright Capital Valery Krivenko, head of the Microsoft Russia Nikolai Pryanishnikov and other prominent innovative entrepreneurs.
Summarizing the results of the round table, Pekka Viljakaynen said the session touched on all crucial aspects for Russian innovations issues, as well as Skolkovo development, such as leadership, finance, support for innovations on national scale, image, credibility and trust.
The money will be smart, if their owners clearly understand their goals and see ways to achieve them. In other words, you first need to have a strategy for actionthe adviser to Skolkovo ‘s president said.