Government representatives, business leaders, VCs and entrepreneurs gather to discuss innovation and technology
MENLO PARK, Calif. -- The second annual Russian Innovation Week Conference will bring together Russian and American government representatives, business leaders, venture capitalists and entrepreneurs in the technology sector to explore investment opportunities and build strategic partnerships. This year’s events will take place on September 17 in Boston and on September 19-20 in California’s Silicon Valley.
The RIW Conference is presented by the Russian Innovation Center, comprised of three Russian development funds - RUSNANO, RVC and the Skolkovo Foundation – and supported by the Russian-American Bilateral Presidential Commission’s working group on innovation.
The conference aims to demonstrate the potential of the Russian innovation sector, and to assist Russian investors and venture funds reach out to American partners while Russian technology companies gain access to sources of funding and international sales channels.
The agenda will focus on topics about innovation, technology and venture capital investments that are significant for Russia, including legal support of intellectual property rights, development of innovation infrastructure, and prospects of cooperation in areas such as energetics, bio-technology, IT, robotics and telecoms, among others.
“Modern economy in high-tech sectors is, before all else, a presence on the international market. As every startup develops it should set itself ambitious targets about entering these markets,” said Igor Agamirzian, CEO of RVC. “RIW is a unique opportunity thanks to its great practical value for Russian startups, whether they are seeking foreign partners and investors or looking for access to international sale channels.”
The plenary sessions and other activities of the Russian Innovation Week Conference will bring together Anatoly Chubais, chairman of RUSNANO, Igor Agamirzian, CEO of RVC, and Viktor Vekselberg, president of the Skolkovo Foundation, as well as Russian and American experts, investors and entrepreneurs.
“Nowadays everyone understands that international cooperation in innovation is a key factor in global economic growth. Experience shows that our international partners need Russia’s innovative technologies. At the same time, it’s vital for Russia to work closely with the international innovation community – both to develop and commercialize technologies, and to build a bridge between Russian hi-tech products and global markets,” said Viktor Vekselberg.
“That is why we deeply value our partnerships with American companies such as Cisco, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Boeing and others, and with American universities, such as MIT, which now has a collaboration with the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology. For the same reasons, we are delighted to take part in Russian Innovation Week - to tell Silicon Valley about the opportunities we offer at Skolkovo.”
Alongside the main conference program, the RIW Conference will also feature separate events for angel investors and representatives of Russian corporations. These sessions are devoted to the experiences of American partners in diverse areas such as the preparation and completion of transactions, the introduction and commercialization of innovative technologies, and co-investing in technology projects.
“One of the most significant tasks for RUSNANO is the transfer of technology,” said Dmitry Akhanov, President and CEO, RUSNANO USA. “In Russia we have already opened research centers and laboratories with cutting-edge companies such as NeoPhotonics, Quantenna, BIND Therapeutics and Selecta. Soon we will be running a microelectronic venture with Crocus Technology, a world leader in the design and manufacturing of MRAM technology. We can see that there is great interest in mutually beneficial cooperation between Russian and American companies on high-tech projects. RIW is the perfect platform for open communication between participants, forming the underlying trust necessary to develop innovative businesses.”
Press inquiries:
For inquiries relating to the event or media attendance to the conferences, please contact:
Elisabeth Morris-Maragoula euronique+communications 916.500.8772 elisabeth@euronique-communications.com
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To find out more about the events at Russian Innovation Week, visit www.riw-usa.com To register your participation, visit www.riw-usa.com/registration
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About RUSNANO
RUSNANO is an open joint-stock company created in March 2011 following the reorganization of the state’s Russian
Nanotechnology Corporation. RUSNANO supports the implementation of state policies on the development of the
nanotechnology industry through joint investment in projects with substantial commercial potential or social benefit. Its
main areas of interest include opto- and nano-electronics, mechanical engineering and metals, solar energy, medicine
and biotechnology, energy-saving solutions and nano-structured materials. All shares in RUSNANO are owned by the
state. Anatoly Chubais was appointed as Chairman of the Board of RUSNANO. Two further tasks of the Russian
Nanotechnology Corporation, the establishment of a nanotechnology infrastructure and the development of educational
programs, are now handled by the Foundation for Infrastructure and Education Programs, which was also established in
the March 2011 restructuring process. For more information, visit http://en.rusnano.com.
About RVC
RVC is a government fund of venture capital funds, a development institute of the Russian Federation and one of Russia's key tools in building its own national innovation system. RVC’s capital base is more than 30 billion rubles, which is 100 percent owned by the Federal Agency for the Management of State Property. RVC has established 13 funds reaching a total value of 26.4 billion rubles. RVC’s stake in these funds is more than 16 billion rubles. RVC has invested a total of 12.1 billion rubles in 139 innovation companies. For more information, visit www.rusventure.ru/en/.
About the Skolkovo Foundation
The Skolkovo Scientific Center for the Development and Commercialization of New Technologies was established on the
initiative of the Russian President in September 2010. Its purpose is to mobilize resources for contemporary applied
research in Russia and to create an enabling environment for the implementation of scientific development in five key
areas of technology: energy and energy efficiency, space, biomedicine, nuclear technology and computer technology.
The project involves the creation of the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech), research institutions,
business incubators, a center for technology transfer and commercialization, representative offices of international
companies and R&D centers, as well as residential and social infrastructure. It aims to create a model for the effective
development of other innovation centers elsewhere in Russia. The Skolkovo Innovation Center is governed by special
legislation that offers special economic conditions for residents and employees. For more information, visit
www.sk.ru.
Company inquires:
For more information about RUSNANO, RVC or the Skolkovo Foundation, please contact:
RUSNANO
Press Office +7 (495) 988 56 75 press@rusnano.com
RVC
Yulia Davydova, PR Service +7 (495) 777 01 04, ext. 355 pr@rusventure.ru
Skolkovo Foundation
Roman Shcherbakov, Director, Press Office +7 (495) 967 01 48, ext. 2260
RS@sk.ru