ITMO Accelerator is introducing TechNet – a new track for startups in photonics, wireless technologies, the Internet of Things, energy transfer, and smart distributed energy systems. The program will introduce participants to entrepreneurship and assist them through all stages of project development – from ideas to first sales.

Credit: ITMO.NEWS

TechNet is a cross-market and cross-industry initiative that provides technological support for the development of the markets of the National Technology Initiative (NTI) and high-tech industries through the formation of digital factories.

The program is launched as part of the federal project Platform of University Technology Entrepreneurship of the national program Scientific and Technological Development of the Russian Federation. The track intends to fill in the gaps in young entrepreneurs' expertise in the following fields: photonics, wireless technologies, the Internet of Things, energy transfer, and distributed intelligent energy systems.

Opportunities

Participants will enjoy an online course on entrepreneurship via ITMO Accelerator’s platform, as well as lectures, workshops, and business games led by NTI experts. Project teams will meet with educators, corporate employees, and investors one-on-one. 

The program is designed to equip young entrepreneurs with the skills needed to create their prototypes. To that end, they will attend workshops at ITMO University and its industrial partners, round-table talks on the hottest industry trends, and various events where the university’s graduates will share their experiences. Among the Accelerator’s partners are top companies in photonics and wireless technologies, such as Laser Center, Yablochkov, Avangard, LLS, Lasers & Equipment, Yandex.Cloud, and many others. 

The speakers are Artem Baranov, an expert in intellectual property, Vitaliy Yanko, a specialist in investment attraction, Irina Zaikina, a business tracker (mentor – Ed.), Dmitriy Maslennikov, the deputy head of the Institute for Youth Policy at the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, and others. The technological aspects of startups will be covered by experts from ITMO’s School of Physics and Engineering. 

While all participants will have access to a free intern recruiting service, students from ITMO University will be able to complete their practical training by participating in the accelerator. 

How to apply

Applications will be accepted on September 1-21. The track’s launch is scheduled for late September. The program is free and available to anyone, with the only requirement being the project’s specialization (it must fit into the fields included in the track). Applications can be submitted through ITMO Accelerator’s website. All participants will get to know each other during online qualifying pitch sessions where they will present their startups.

Elizaveta Kokorina

Journalist

Marina Belyaeva

Translator