MOSCOW, May 12 (ANI) — The upcoming Startup Village 2026 conference will be held May 28-29 at the Skolkovo Innovation Centre Technopark and Technosad, marking a new phase in Russia’s innovation ecosystem.
For the first time, the event will adopt a technology festival format aimed at directly connecting startups with real-world corporate requirements.
Under the revised model, major companies will present specific technological challenges, define project budgets, and identify areas requiring innovation. Startups and developers will then pitch solutions tailored to those demands, creating a more direct link between industry and technology creators.
According to TV BRICS, the event is expected to attract more than 8,000 participants, including approximately 3,000 startups.
The conference program will feature more than 2,000 business meetings and over 100 expert-led sessions focused on collaboration, innovation, and investment opportunities.
Organizers said the first day of the festival will focus on identifying corporate technological demands, with companies presenting opportunities for pilot projects, implementation partnerships, and procurement initiatives.
The second day will center on presentations by participating technology firms and startups, allowing corporations to directly evaluate proposed solutions and explore potential partnerships.
The event’s program is organized around six key sectors: products, new markets, science, talent development, creative industries, and infrastructure.
A major feature of the conference will be the “Technological Leadership Stage,” where participants will discuss long-term innovation frameworks, including research and development consortia, industry standards, workforce training initiatives, and infrastructure partnerships.
Key themes on the agenda include industrial artificial intelligence, digital twins, fintech, cybersecurity, space technology, and robotics.
The event will also introduce a pilot version of the “Demand Index,” an annual analytical platform designed to map corporate technology needs based on input from major Russian enterprises.
Organizers said the index is expected to become fully operational by 2027, while the 2025 pilot version will provide an overview of its methodology and structure.
TV BRICS will serve as the international media partner for Startup Village 2026 and will continue coverage of scientific and technological innovation through projects such as its AI-focused “Laboratorium” series highlighting Russian research and scientific developments. (ANI)
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