Who prevents innovation in the Russian Federation The founder of the SFERA project spoke about the problems that startups in Russia face
- May 21
Experts argue that the legal framework in Russia in the field of an IT sector has a chronic lag from developed countries of the world. And the decisions made are far from the real needs of small businesses and do not create conditions for the appearance of breakthrough startups.
We talked about the real conditions in which there are IT startups in Russia, we talked with the founder of the SFERA project Igor Lushkin. His team has been developing a digital ecosystem for 2 years, so they know about existing problems firsthand. But since we adhere to the thesis that any criticism should be constructive, and any opinion should have a justification, we also found out what measures can be taken to solve them.
Any startup needs investments. And to attract them - appropriate tools. And just such tools, Igor believes, in Russia is not enough. For a long time there was no legal form to invest in the idea, company. Some steps, of course, are taken. For example, recently legalized loans with subsequent conversion in the action. That is, an investor can conclude a loan agreement.
However, to create a joint -stock company, authorized capital is needed. And each change will cost up to 1.5 million rubles. In fact, for a startup is unrealistic. Because while the company has not reached income, it works in conditions of stiff lack of finances. It is necessary to pay salaries to employees, pension and insurance deductions, taxes. And for a startup at first it is very noticeable. Therefore, Igor believes, "while the startup does not earn, it is necessary to free him from these expenses."
*Experts in the development of the IT industry in Russia are representatives of large companies in this sector. But the great omission is that there are no representatives of small businesses and startups, and for large companies, startups are disnumive enemies.
In Russia, there is a State Innovation Development Fund. But managers invest in projects that will pay off 100%. Because if “the startup does not take off”, the one who decided to invest in it will bear personal responsibility. And in order to put it really into a standing business, the civil servant must delve into what the startup does and what idea he realizes. But, according to Igor, since hundreds of projects have to be considered during the day, it is unlikely that this is done efficiently.
And even if a civil servant decides to help startup, he will have to organize the interaction of people. Because investment in the project is not only financial assistance, these are still necessary connections. But it’s hard to imagine who will do this only from personal interest?
*Here we disagree with Igor a little, because the money was heard in large quantities "Rusnano", but not that ...
And such an attitude to startups, according to the founder of the SFERA project, has developed not only among representatives of the authorities, but also among Russian private investors. They are primarily interested in the profit they will receive, and guarantees. But the startup cannot guarantee anything. Yes, an honest fauner will make every effort to make his business realize and bear fruit. However, no one can promise that everything will work out for sure. Therefore, investments in startups are always a risk. And for the most part Russian investors do not go to him.
In addition, on the early rounds, the startup does not have a financial director, lawyers, again due to insufficient financing. Who will prepare the relevant papers that investors require? Therefore, in the beginning there is only the honest word of the founder of the startup.
For this reason, Igor believes, startups often leave Russia.
*In our opinion, Belousov expressed very accurately at one time, the words "such billions and (if you know the continuation, write in the comments)."
The venture business abroad is developing differently. A foreign investor understands that most startups do not pay for the funds invested in them. Therefore, you can forget about invested means at the time of their investment, no matter how illogical it may sound.
*That is, the problem is in Russian investors who do not want to invest in projects in the early stages.
Igor believes that perhaps the current situation will push to this. Sooner or later, you will have to transform your views in order to "do not stay in the Stone Age." And in this you can focus on the experience of other states.
For example, Belarus succeeded in the development of startups. And in terms of jurisdiction, and in terms of offshores. That is, startups are given a place in the technological center, exempted from taxes. It remains only to pay people a salary.
The experience of Saudi Arabia is also interesting. Officials in this state are quite wealthy people. And by and large, they have not in the first place. They are looking for high -tech projects and invest in them, because they want to benefit their state and people. In Russia, a completely different mentality.
In some jurisdictions, the salaries of officials are tied to salaries in the supervised industry, if salaries in the industry are growing, the salary of an official is growing.
Such observations in the field of development of startups in Russia were shared with our editors, the founder of the SFERA project Igor Lushkin. Dear readers, it is interesting to know your opinion. Share them in the comments.
And also a convincing request to distribute this material as much as possible, because the more people they see it, the higher the likelihood that he will get to the right person. And this will help make the right decisions to correct existing problems.
*In your opinion, what is needed to quickly fill out gaps in the legislation of the Russian Federation? And do you agree with the statement that “each problem has a name, surname and patronymic”?
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