Russian Startup Tour joined "Days of Innovation" in Astrakhan that began in the city's philharmonic center and then moved on to the IT park.
This stage of the Russian Startup Tour began in fairly unexpected place, the Astrakhan State Philharmonic, where the regional government solemnly opened the forum "Days of Innovation in the Astrakhan District". By regional governor's invitation the opening ceremony of the forum was attended by Pekka Viljakainen.
In the lobby of the Philharmonic there was introductions of the innovation projects in the region, where one of the exhibitions was the already legendary Astrakhan project Displair, a resident of the Fond. Vice-governor, chairman of Astrakhan regional government Constantine Markelov opened the forum with his welcoming speech. In a plenary speech, P. Viljakainen called for Astrakhan startups to create projects that would be useful not only for their native city, but for all of Russia and the rest of the world, to think and to act globally. He also called not to be afraid to be an entrepreneur, telling of his own hard path of becoming a businessman.
The next speech was given by Denis Gusev from a youth bloc ASI, who told of a formation in Astrakhan of an excellent reserve in education programs and formation of human capital, and expressed hope that the district will soon acquire a youth forum analogous to Selegerskogo, but on the Volga.
Then the team of the Startup Tour moved to the "Astrakhan IT park" where there were the conduction of the traditional tour events: presentations by development institutes, strategic session, start-up pitches and their open discussion.
On the topic of commercialization in the bloc "promotion" the speech was given by Fund's Senior Vice-President on development and commercialization Alexey Beltyukov, who inspired local startups with the story of concluded and successful Fund residents. He used as an example the fast rise of the highly popular KVN team from the Astrakhan District.
Who knows the KVN team "Picked team of the Kamizyakskogo Kraya?" he asked the auditorium. A forest of hands was raised, the hall became noticeable more active, everyone smiled, it seems this team is known practically by everyone and is really loved here. "Exactly like successful startups, -continued Alexey Beltyukov,- many come from the regions, become big and famous, and issue challenge. I hope that many of those who have come here today will in the future become both famous and well-compensated",-continued the best wishes to young innovators Alexey Beltyukov.
Astrakhan stage of the tour was also filled with a bloc on educational programs, in which the Skoltech presentation was done by Mikhail Mygkov, university vice-president on academics. He particularly stressed that the university team is filled with noted professors that have extensive experience and help young scientists who are thinking of self-realization through commercialization of their scientific talents.
Then the experts of the "Skolkovo" Fund, "RBK", "Fund of Innovation Assistance", and the contest "Technology Cup" noted the following Astrakhan projects: