«Technopark is a place for innovations, a field for investments» 

At the end of the year Technopark of the Novosibirsk Academgorodok which aroused argues and controversy, has implemented one of the first main tasks: 30 companies became the residents of Technopark, and 20 companies became the residents of the business incubator — Andrey Remennij, the director for Technopark development tells us about the achievements and further prospects in the interview to "the Soviet Siberia».

— Andrey Nikolayevich, from the beginning of Technopark construction both the concept and investors were changed. But, contrary to skeptics, the Technopark has not died, and, on the contrary, has received a new push to development. How can we explain its special importance? 


— Building of Technopark opens not only new prospects for Academgorodok. Technopark is necessary to the regional authorities as a point of development of new, "smart" economy of the region. And the region's investment in innovation infrastructure paves the way for large-scale investments in new technologies, education and science. Technopark is first of all infrastructural complex where favorable conditions for development of hi-tech business and its cooperation with the scientific organizations, educational institutions and the industry are created.


The government program «Creation in the Russian Federation of Technoparks in the sphere of high technologies» approved by the Government on March, 10th, 2006 laid the foundation to construction of Technopark. The purpose of the program is to support Russian hi-tech manufacturers and services, merchandising of this production both on internal, and on world markets and mental potential development in the sphere of high technologies.

— On what territories the building is conducted?

- The project provides for the consistent development of several sites that are located in Academgorodok and that are close to it. The first site on the Engineering Street was a pilot project. Commissioning is planned for this year. There is an office and factory building, which includes the Center for Technological innovation and business incubator; Engineering and Technology Center of nanomaterials; complex of specialized laboratory and industrial buildings of the companies-residents.


The second site on the Nikolayev Street is intended for high tech companies. Commissioning is planned for 2012. There is a complex of buildings in the sphere of information and communication technologies and a data center.

The third site is also located on the Nikolaeva Street, to accommodate the resident companies, centers for collective use, business and logistics infrastructure of the Techno Park. Commissioning of the fourth and fifth sites designed for a more distant perspective in 2014. The fourth is the "North site of Technopark”, located between Bedsore high-road and river Ob. A set of specialized office and laboratory buildings of resident companies and residential district with social infrastructure.

The fifth site on the University Avenue is designed to accommodate social and business center of Academgorodok. It is planned to build an exhibition and congress centers, and three-star hotel with 220 rooms.


- When will the first project come into operation?

- The first administrative and industrial building will be commissioned this year in the first quarter. There will be technology companies, business incubator and student business incubator of NSU, lecture halls, conference hall, exhibition areas, and offices of innovative companies-residents.

- Who were the first residents?

- Such companies as "SoftLab", "Uniscan", "Signatek”, Medico-Biological Union and others.


- Not only big business, but also the innovative "kids" emerged. But not always they can buy modern equipment. How are you going to help in this regard?


- Technopark will provide residents with services for operational layout of high-tech products and developing the technology of their production. Specialized technology infrastructure will be integrated in the center of technological innovation. Organizational center is a small group of private technology enterprises equipped with modern high-efficiency equipment, carrying out activities in several directions.

Integration of Technopark with academic institutions and the university opens unique opportunities to high-tech companies-residents. They have the opportunity of cooperation with research groups conducting research at the forefront of science. These services include possibilities of centers of collective use of modern scientific equipment. The best scientific experts can conduct an audit of projects.


- An average person from the region may read it and say: "Well, why do we need it?"

- Technopark is a place for innovation and a field for investments. Throughout the world, Technoparks generate significant tax revenue. An influx of investors in the region promises bright future payments in budget and this means wages, without delay, the development of social infrastructure - kindergartens, schools and hospitals. Finally it is employment support. The pace of construction of Technopark provided by the plan of its construction will help to achieve the following key results: the number of employees of Technopark resident companies will reach 12 000 people in four years.


There is a real chance for the Novosibirsk Region to become a new Silicon Valley. Performance of innovative companies-residents, which can be characterized by sales volume per worker in 2014 will approach the level of productivity of similar foreign companies. Annual sales of products and services of companies-residents will be more than 30 billion rubles. Technopark will become not only the manufacturer and the customer of new technologies, but will also generate new demands on the level of scientific and technical education. Modern standards in the training of technicians and high- skilled workers will be supported.


Svetlana Gavrilova recorded this interview.

Source: Soviet Siberia №20 (26142)