Startup Communities around the World: Incubators in Russia

Currently, there are more than 100 business incubators, accelerators in Russia, which support small companies at their early stages. Many of those incubators are based at Universities or work in close cooperation with the academic world. Typically, startups get consulting services, as well as, office space in incubators. Let's have a closer look at some of the most effective incubators in Russia and some interesting fact about them.

Business incubator in Academy of National Economy
Incubator was established in 2010 based on the initiative of the rector, Vladimir Mau.

What is interesting: Here young entrepreneurs get a chance to meet with top players and experts from different industries, including mentors from Silicon Valley. Startups also get finance to, for example, present their products at the exhibitions, file patent and further research and development.

Results: More than 120 startups have been connected to the incubator. Every year seven teams are selected to be residents and boost their startups.

Business incubator in Higher School of Economics 
This business incubator was established in 2006 based on the initiative of the University students and professor Dmitry Repin.

What is interesting: Startups have opportunity to get funding from the University, help with PR and marketing, as well as, take part at different exhibitions.

Results: Every year 4 to 6 teams become residents of the incubator. However, around 50 startups get possibility to participate in different events. 

Incubator "Ingria"
The incubator was established in 2008 base on initiative of Saint-Petreburg government. It is based in the premises of "Ingria" industrial park in Saint - Petersburg.  Moreover, in 2010 the second site of the incubator was established at the State University of Information Technologies, Mechanics and Optics (Saint-Petersburg).

What is interesting: The incubator has  a space of 2400 m2, what account to 190 workspaces. This high-tech place, where teams are dealing with complicated engineering solutions, biomedicine, etc. Startups get consultations and help with questions such as, intellectual property protection, organisation of production and expert examinations.

Results: over the year more than 180 projects has been involved in the incubators activities. More than 40 projects have been residents of the incubator. Investments account to more than 64 million euros (64% - private investments, 36% - public sector).

Business incubator in Lomonosov Moscow State University
The incubator was established in 2004. The volume of attracted investments - more than 500 million rubles (33 million euros). The market valuation of companies resident and graduate from the Incubator - more than 1 billion rubles (67 million euros).

What is interesting: The incubator is supported by the British Council and The Foundation for Assistance to Small Entreprises in Science and Technology.

Results: Annually 20 projects are selected for the programme and around 5 of them get further funding for sustainable development in the market. Turnover of resident companies and incubator graduates was more than 100 million rubles (2,2 million euros). 

Business incubator in Plekhanov Russian University of Economics
The incubator was established in 2009 by professors of the University with the support of the Rector, Viktor Grishin.

What is interesting: The incubators constantly collaborate with corporate and private investors and industrial parks. It also works closely with incubators of physical and technical institutions.

Results: Every year 40-45 projects are being developed in the incubator. 6 startups have been already launched to the market and got profitable.