Skolkovo Technopark with MSU Technopark and Technopark Strogino, with the support of Moscow City Government, recently hosted the 33rd IASP World Conference in Moscow, Russia on September 19th -22nd 2016. With the theme of “The Global Mind - linking innovation communities for internationalization, sustainability and growth,” this conference deepens our understanding of how Science Parks and other Areas of Innovation can use the Global Mind —setting common goals and strengthening connectivity— for the benefit of their innovation communities (businesses, entrepreneurs, researchers and technicians) as well as for their cities and regions.
IASP 2016 Venue at WTC
Science parks and other areas of innovation are environments where the Global Mind can flourish and develop naturally. They provide space, facilities and services especially tailored for these kinds of communities and they offer a unique way to think, connect and interact. This collaborative nature stems from strong local roots, but also provides privileged access to international networks, markets and partnerships. Dynamic links among STPs and AOIs from all over the world are essential to make the most of this international dimension. This local/global duality is one of the constitutive features of STPs and AIs.
Held in three different venues – Skolkovo Technopark, the World Trade Center and MSU Science Park, it showcased the flourishing science park and area of innovation community in Moscow, fast becoming one of the biggest tech hubs in Europe. It is the first time an IASP World Conference has taken place in Russia, recognising its growing role in the international innovation community.
The IASP World Conference is a knowledge community in action, a global gathering of 58 speakers and over 1000 delegates, including leading government, business and innovation figures from 45 countries. The past few days have demonstrated just what can be achieved when innovators and innovation managers from across the world collaborate.
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev at IASP 2016 conference in Moscow
Russian Prime Minster Dmitry Medvedev addressed the event’s Opening Day, praising the progress of the Skolkovo project and recognising the great value of IASP as a global network for supporting internationalisation and innovation. Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich also visited IASP Moscow, holding a round table event with key experts from science parks and areas of innovation around the world including IASP President Jean-François Balducchi and European Division President Jari Lauronen.
Open Innovation Marketplace
Alongside the scientific programme, 50 entrepreneurs and representatives from hi tech innovative startups based in science parks across the world presented solutions for the city of Moscow and major Russian corporations, focusing on the Smart City sectors of:
• eHealth
• Cleantech
• Industry
• Smart Society
• Technology
• Governance
• Energy
• Mobility
• Sustainable City
50 selected solutions had the opportunity to pitch their projects directly to Moscow City Government and the corporations, with 10 finalists meeting directly with potential investors.
Robotics & VR exhibition
A robotics and Virtual Reality exhibition was held alongside the World Conference at the International Trade Center on September 20th, it saw a range of cutting edge robotics companies showcase their products to science park representatives from all over the world, from 70 countries all over the world. Growing startups and SMEs found new markets and business niches and established business relations with investors and heads of major corporations.
IASP Executive Board
The IASP General Assembly was held on September 22nd, during which the election of a new President and Board was ratified.
Outgoing IASP President Jean-François Balducchi, Managing Director of Atlanpole, Nantes, France, handed over the Presidency to his successor, Josep Piqué, Executive President of La Salle Technova, Spain. Mr Balducchi began his term in 2014 at the IASP World Conference in Doha, Qatar, and led the Opening Ceremony at IASP Moscow, officiated at the General Assembly, and welcomed new IASP members during the ‘Winter Symphony’ Gala Dinner before formally handing his presidential medal to Mr Piqué during the Closing Ceremony on September 22.
Mr Piqué already has a long history with IASP, and begins his term as President following two years as Vice President.
Paul Krutko, CEO of Ann Arbor SPARK, USA, also joins the Executive Board as Vice President of IASP. Mr. Krutko is also the current President of the IASP North American Division.
Hauwa Yabani, Managing Director of Abuja Technology Village, Nigeria, and previously a member of the International Board of Directors, was also ratified as Treasurer of IASP. She takes over from outgoing Treasurer McLean Sibanda, CEO of The Innovation Hub, South Africa.
IASP International Board of Directors
New members of the International Board of Directors were also elected during the IASP General Assembly. The new Directors are:
Fernando Amestoy – Pando Science and Technology Park, Uruguay
Alexander Chernov – Skolkovo Technopark, Russia
André Domin – Technologiepark Heidelberg GmbH, Germany
Caroline Drabe – Västerås Science Park AB, Sweden
Jaime Parada – PIIT Parque de Investigación e Innovación Tecnológica, Mexico
Mozghan Yazdianpour – Isfahan Science and Technology Park, Iran
Photo, left to right:
Jaime Parada, André Domin, Jari Lauronen, Pierre Belanger, Mostafa Karimian Eghbal, Mozghan Yazdianpour, Luis Sanz, Jean-François Balducchi, Hauwa Yabani, Josep Piqué, Paul Krutko, Caroline Drabe.
About the International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (IASP)
IASP is the worldwide network of science parks and areas of innovation, founded in 1984. With 385 members in 72 countries, IASP connects professionals managing science, technology and research parks (STPs) and other areas of innovation from across the globe, and provides services that drive growth and effectiveness for members.
IASP members enhance the competitiveness of companies and entrepreneurs in their cities and regions, and contribute to global economic development through innovation, entrepreneurship, and the transfer of knowledge and technology.
IASP is an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations and a founding member of the World Alliance for Innovation (WAINOVA).
For further information about IASP, please visit www.iasp.ws.
IASP’s mission
To be the global network for science and technology parks, and other areas of innovation, driving growth, internationalisation and effectiveness for our members.
Main facts and figures
Founded: 1984
Members: 385
Companies: >142,000
Countries: 72
Regional divisions: 6
Offices:
World Conferences to date: 32
Upcoming World Conference: 19th – 22nd September in Moscow, Russia
Website: www.IASP2016moscow.com
Regional workshops and seminars to date: 100
About Skolkovo
Skolkovo Technopark is a Full member of IASP and won the bid to host and organise the IASP 2016 World Conference in Doha, Qatar in 2014.
The Technopark is part of the Skolkovo Foundation, a non-profit organization founded in September 2010 by the Russian government with the objective of accelerating Russia’s transformation from a resource-intensive to an innovation-based economy. The Foundation is overseeing the creation of the Skolkovo Innovation Center, composed of more than 1,500 high-tech startups, Skolkovo Technopark, the Skolkovo Institute of Technology (Skoltech) - a new graduate research University established in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology - and Skolkovo city, located near Moscow. Together, these entities establish a vibrant ecosystem of technology innovation and entrepreneurship.
Fifty global corporations including Boeing, Cisco Systems, EADS, GE, Johnson & Johnson, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Siemens, Nokia, Samsung, and Panasonic have already recognized the opportunity Skolkovo presents by signing R&D partnership agreements with the Foundation. The cumulative revenue of Skolkovo’s startups through June 2016 reached $1.6 billion and they brought in more than $350 million in investment, creating 18,000 jobs and filing over 1,900 patent applications along the way. By 2020 over 2 million square meters of residential and office space will be built in Skolkovo with 35,000 people working daily in the Innovation Center.
Press Contact
Skolkovo
Taisiya Yarmak
+79166948826
tyarmak@sk.ru