April 20, 2009 CRDF workshops to be started
Let us remind that during the 4th Kazan Venture Fair it is expected to sign Memorandum of Understanding between US Civilian Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) and Investment and Venture Fund of the Republic of Tatarstan.
Within the framework of this Memorandum, CRDF and IVFRT will perform joint activity on assistance to small and medium technological enterprises, on building relations between entrepreneurial and investment communities of the USA and Tatarstan, as well as to strengthen science-technical cooperation between the USA and Russia, and assisting in efficient works progress, conducted together with RVCA and Bortnik Fund jointly with universities and technoparks of the Republic of Tatarstan.
Three winners will be enabled with the grant, 10 000 USD each. This grant will give an opportunity to Tatarstan entrepreneurs to travel to the USA with a view of participation in preliminary arranged meetings with potential partners, investors and service providers.
Selected participants of the Workshop will be able to use preliminary consultations and help of experts in improving their business plans and presentations. After the Workshop is finished, the Contest of participants’ business plans will be held within the framework of Tatarstan Venture Forum, assisted by RVCA, IVFRT, Federal Agency for Science and Innovations, and Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Tatarstan.
Each from 12-15 selected Workshop participants will get an evaluation of market potential for their technologies, valuable information about opportunities to access the market and another data on services of potential providers, investors and partners.
Main objectives of the Workshop will be to:
1. Enhance competitiveness of Russian entrepreneurs through expert evaluation of their business plans and organization of personalized coaching on business development issues by the American and Russian industry experts and investors.
2. Facilitate business development and access to domestic and international markets by linking workshop participants with prospective investors, partners and private sector experts.
3. Assist qualified workshop participants with referrals to resources that will facilitate entry into the highly competitive U.S. market.
Expected outcomes:
1. PDP Technology Entrepreneurship Workshop participants will improve effectiveness of their business case and presentation pitch through targeted business plan review and counseling by the U.S. industry experts and experienced business mentors.
2. PDP Technology Entrepreneurship Workshop participants will be provided with advice on what the next business development steps should be, and what resources might be needed for successful business launch and growth.
3. PDP Technology Entrepreneurship Workshop participants will learn about effective presentation and communication strategies, Western style business protocol and other important aspects of doing business in the U.S.
4. PDP Technology Entrepreneurship Workshop participants will be provided information on how new technologies are commercialized in the U.S.
5. PDP Technology Entrepreneurship Workshop participants who are ready and willing to enter the U.S. market will be provided with valuable market access information and referrals to potential partners, investors and service providers.
6. PDP Technology Entrepreneurship Workshop participants who have been selected by the expert panel based on specific criteria will be eligible for joint IVFRT/FASIE/CRDF market access grant that will support their initial visit to the U.S. to meet with prospective partners and/or investors. CRDF contribution to the grant will be in-kind, and will come in a form of program and staff support.
CRDF. Those bonuses will be available only for the companies-winners of the Selection Contest.
To participate in the program, you must fill in the “Application” and “Business plan resume” until March 14, 2009, and send it to the following address: kvy2009@ivfrt.com