The private business school Moscow School of Management and the government funded Skolkovo Foundation are launching a management training and incubator program for startup founders in Moscow.
Starting June 1, 20 entrepreneurs will participate in the two month scheme, attending classes for 140 hours in the evenings and at weekends. The programme will be funded entirely by fees paid by the students.
Lawrence Wright, start-up projects director and professor for entrepreneurial leadership at Moscow School of Management, speaking at the 42 Conference and Start-up Exhibition said: "In addition to business theory we will also be providing shared services, mentoring and help with opening doors to useful contacts." About 60% of the start-ups are in IT, two are in biotech and two are lifestyle and the age of students ranges from 22 to 44.
The programme is slated to run again from October and Prof. Wright hopes to raise a seed fund to invest in some of the businesses. "We are also looking for scholarships and sponsorship. It would be a good way for multi-national corporates and others to get involved in the Russian enterpreneurial ecosytem and have an early look at some interesting projects."