From 9 to 10 December 2008 a seminar on business incubators was held in the city of Seversk. In addition to informative reports, the
programme included visits to the Tomsk technological and innovation zone, and to two student business incubators “Druzhba” (Tomsk) and
“Stimul” (Seversk). The official opening of the Seversk Innovation Business Incubator was a highlight of the event.
Reports to the seminar reflected the active work currently being undertaken in the Tomsk Region in support of entrepreneurship. The
efforts of the Regional Government are focused on developing innovation projects involving small and medium sized businesses.
Delegates to the seminar provided information about the difficult but planned process of promoting innovation activity within Rosatom
itself, and of experience in commercialization in the Siberian Chemical Kombinat, and illustrated the opportunities for fulfilling orders
in Seversk under subcontracts through a special structure provided by the Regional Administration.
Responses to economic risks, such as dependence on oil and gas, or a sudden reduction in defence spending, were analysed in the light of
British experience. It was argued that the best way to react to such challenges was by developing a range of different kinds of support for
small and medium businesses. European experience of business incubators shows that success depends on continuous monitoring. Also vital
is the commitment of the employees concerned to achieving success. Some research-based parameters for incubators were suggested, including
the optimal number of fulltime staff – 2 people; an area which could be comfortably managed – 3,000 square metres; number of tenants –
about 30; average size of tenant company – 6 people; and public support accounting for about 30% of all costs for maintenance.
Russian participants learnt about the work of incubators both in large cities and in Closed Cities. For example, the Tomsk incubator
“Druzhba”, has helped to develop computer technologies and has obtained public funding. The Seversk student business incubator, has
successfully drawn on the experience of its Tomsk colleagues. In Zheleznogorsk, a consulting Internet Centre for entrepreneurs has been
created covering the whole of the Krasnoyarsk Krai. Computers with access to consultants working for the Centre have been installed in all
municipal libraries of the Krai, creating what could be called a virtual business incubator. Ozersk City Administration reported on its first
experience in creating a Business Development Agency and a business incubator. The participants also raised the issue of the lack of real
seed funds which could help new companies through the first stages and prepare them for securing venture funding.
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