Tatarstan Takes the Spotlight
Tatarstan is reaffirming its status as a tech leader, ranking third in small technology companies (MTK) with 406 entities: 166 companies and 240 projects. Dinar Shakirov, the deputy minister of economy, shared this update at the meeting.
“Small tech companies in Tatarstan play a crucial role in our innovation landscape, driving economic growth,” he explained. “We rank third after Moscow and St. Petersburg with 166 registered companies.”
Shakirov outlined the MTK registry’s purpose:
- To promote private investment in tech and support innovation.
- To simplify access to support resources.
Companies in this registry benefit from various supports, including grants and program accelerators. However, they must meet certain criteria; for example, their annual revenue should not exceed 4 billion rubles, and activities must fit into one of the 60 categories set by the government.
Notably, 33% of MTK companies focus on industry, while telecommunications and mining each account for 5%.
Investments in Innopolis
Innopolis is significant for Tatarstan’s tech growth. Dmitry Vandyukov, the city mayor, noted that 45 new entities registered there last year.
“Currently, there are 669 organizations in Innopolis, providing over 10,100 jobs. About 7,800 people work here daily, with 75% in IT,” he said.
Innopolis boasts average salaries higher than the Tatarstan average, reaching 154,600 rubles. Throughout 2024, investments totaled 53 billion rubles, contributing to its growth.
“Since its establishment, we have invested 193 billion rubles, including 31 billion in infrastructure,” Vandyukov added.
Plans are in place to expand the university in Innopolis, aiming to grow student enrollment from 1,500 to 5,000 by 2032. While a degree isn’t always required in IT, the university has trained over 70,000 professionals so far.
Challenges Ahead
Marat Galeev raised concerns about some ongoing challenges. He noted a lack of collaboration among tech companies, industries, and authorities. For instance, he highlighted slow digital adoption in some sectors.
“While progress is being made, some industries are lagging. One company only recently moved away from typewriters,” he pointed out.
On a positive note, he praised the agriculture sector for its digital advancements, including comprehensive crop monitoring.
He emphasized the need for better monitoring of MTK activities to boost efficiency. Galeev concluded with a call to connect tech breakthroughs to real businesses across various sectors.
Elizaveta Punsheva
