In October 2012 there took place the Startup Access, an on-site business-incubator – one of the key events for innovators which is held in Boston, USA, - the heart of the famous eco-system for commercialization of scientific-technical development formed around the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Startup Access is the program created by serial entrepreneurs and graduates of one of the leading technological universities in the world – the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
This year in the work of Startup Access there participated two Foundation residents: OJSC ‘’NPO SODIS Laboratory’ and ‘Institute for Atherosclerosis Research’. These companies were selected by sponsors, and prior to the tender stage trainings were held on the development of pitch-presentations skills which were organized by Technopark Skolkovo.
We liked it very much, we saw in real life how the work with startups is done abroad, their development, promotion. We had an opportunity to present own projects to the investors: now, upon the return we are studying these contacts. We got acquainted with most interesting mentors, and received valuable advice from them, on the basis of which we are now adjusting our business-modelshares her impressions and the findings for the Company Aleksandra Melnichenko, head of the technologies transfer Group, Institute for Atherosclerosis Research, LLC
The Foundation residents worked together with famous mentors, communicated with and got investors advice on the issues of innovations commercialization. The residents visited the MIT Entrepreneurship Center E-center and talked to its director who is himself a serial entrepreneur, who attracted considerable funds to his startups. They also got to know the MIT Licensing Office, where ‘the sacrament’ of the technology commercialization takes place – there they will get advice on the patent law.
The important thing is that the on-site business-incubator proved to be of practical importance to the trip participants. The main thing is that companies should return with specific findings and the feeling that thanks to this trip their project has progressed. The business-incubator has become one of the first foreign projects for the Foundation residents, which opens a series of international events of various formats, their geography including Germany, USA, Finland, PRC and other countriesАnna Nikinа, Head of Development, International Programs at Technopark Skolkovo
MassChallenge, the company that organized the largest tender of business-plans in the world, offered office space to the participants for the whole time of the event. John Harthorne, General Director, MassChallenge, said: ‘We were happy to entertain Russian startups during these two weeks and to observe how quickly and smoothly they adapt to our community. We hope that other Russians will also get an opportunity to study practical world-class business-models, which we created at MassChallenge. We hope that next year there will appear potent Russian projects which can become winners in our tender'.
StartUp Access specializes on the work with young companies that work in the sphere of internet-services, healthcare and other hi-tech industries. At the bottom of their activities there lies a commitment to entrepreneurship and the faith that by developing private companies we are shaping a society, where people recognize their role in the creation of their own future and achieve maximal results in their activities.
Technopark Skolkovo provides innovation Companies - Participants of the Skolkovo Project with the relevant support in order that they successfully develop their technological assets and corporative structure, turning into leading players in global markets. Also refer to TechnoPark Skolkovo international programs.
OJSC ‘RVC’, the program partner and sponsor of MassChallenge, is a government fund and a development institute of the Russian Federation, one of Russia's key tools in building its own national innovation system. In September 2012 the number of innovation companies that received investments from the RVC funds amounted to 123. The cumulative volume of the invested funds amounts to 10,4 bln RUR.
Аnna Nikinа Head of Development, International Programs T +7 (495) 967 0148 ext.2491 E an(at)sk.ru
Calendar of international programs: http://international.sk.ru