Archive for September, 2010
Sep
21
2010
Russia’s “Silicon Valley” – Gateway for Russian Industry to Access Western Technology..?
In two previous posts we have brought up the ongoing effort among Russian policy makers to “create” a Silicon Valley in the country. Recently, Vivek Wadhwa concluded that it is likely to fail in an article posted at TechCrunch. Vivek’s arguments is large based on numerous examples of how “top down” approach for creating clusters seldom work.
I share this view with Vivek, that “Cluster Activation” is a much more effective approach, and carries less risk and less need for investments and resources. In a previous post, I have brought up the “creation vs. activation” challenge.
On a blog post at Forbes.com, cyber security expert, Jeffrey Carr weighs in on the issue, claiming that they will in fact “build it from the ground up and even provide a “special internet” for entrepreneurs. It seems to me that Jeffrey may have has missed a critical points presented by Vivek – when it comes to what “bottom-up” versus “top down” means. A bottom-up approach is a market driven approach, where the authorities are acting as a catalyst, allowing the forces of innovation and entrepreneurship “roam” and minimizing bottlenecks in the path from innovation to market.
Jeffrey also points to the Chinese Zhongguancun Science Park as an example of how the park/region has been successful in attraction foreign investments. This certainly is a notable force in China’s high-tech industry, with more than 12,000 companies located in the ‘zone’. As Jeffrey points out, the Zhongguancun Science Park has attracted significant foreign direct investment – as with many regions in China and elsewhere in the developing markets, I think it is safe to say that these investments are likely motivated by the access to low worker compensation, low material cost, loose regulatory framework – making it ideal for manufacturing and large scale operations – not necessarily fostering (long term) innovation and entrepreneurship as is the main objective with a “cluster initiative”
It is also very interesting to read that according to Jeffrey, the main objective of the “Silicon Valley” to be developed in Skolkovo is less about driving innovation and entrepreneurship, but more about creating a massive honeypot of technology that the Russian industry can tap into, copy and use as basis for creating a competitive technology industry.
Very interesting issue indeed.
No Comments • Categories: Uncategorized
Sep
16
2010
Creating a Silicon Valley in Russia..?
We have previously referred to article by Vivek Wadhwa (here and here) and his thoughts about cluster creation. Following on our link to NYAS report on a Fifteen Steps to an Innovation Economy in Russia, an article by Vivek Wadhwa posted at TechCrunch provides an interesting insight to the challenges Russia (and other jurisdictions) face when taking on the effort of creating a cluster based on a top-down approach.
No Comments • Categories: Uncategorized
Sep
14
2010
Fifteen Steps to an Innovation Economy – New York Academy of Sciences Roadmap for the Russian Federation
The New York Academy of Sciences is an independent, not-for-profit organization committed to advancing science, technology, and society worldwide. NYAS has close to 24,000 members in 140 countries. Earlier this year, NYAS was invited to advice Russian Federation President Dmitry Medvedev on steps his country must take to evolve an innovation economy.
The report titled “The Yaroslavl Roadmap 10-15-20″ presented to the Russian President last week at a summit in Yaroslavl describes 10 Years to Implement, 15 Steps to Take, 20 Pitfalls to Avoid—International Experience and the Path Forward for Russian Innovation Policy.
1 Comment • Categories: Uncategorized
Sep
14
2010
Serbian Medical Tourism Cluster Launched
A Belgrade based Serbian Medical Tourism Cluster has been set up to involve all interested state and private organisations involved in providing medical and tourist services – spas, hospitals, clinics, institutes, hotels, tourist agencies, restaurants, and others who provide services connected to medical and wellness treatment. It currently has 19 members. The aim is to enhance the marketing position of the Republic of Serbia as a medical tourism destination and to offer highly professional services to all that are seeking medical treatment abroad. The 300 natural springs, 40 health resorts and 25 rehabilitation centres illustrates the tremendous potential in Serbia.
No Comments • Categories: Uncategorized
21 2010
Russia’s “Silicon Valley” – Gateway for Russian Industry to Access Western Technology..?
In two previous posts we have brought up the ongoing effort among Russian policy makers to “create” a Silicon Valley in the country. Recently, Vivek Wadhwa concluded that it is likely to fail in an article posted at TechCrunch. Vivek’s arguments is large based on numerous examples of how “top down” approach for creating clusters seldom work.
I share this view with Vivek, that “Cluster Activation” is a much more effective approach, and carries less risk and less need for investments and resources. In a previous post, I have brought up the “creation vs. activation” challenge.
On a blog post at Forbes.com, cyber security expert, Jeffrey Carr weighs in on the issue, claiming that they will in fact “build it from the ground up and even provide a “special internet” for entrepreneurs. It seems to me that Jeffrey may have has missed a critical points presented by Vivek – when it comes to what “bottom-up” versus “top down” means. A bottom-up approach is a market driven approach, where the authorities are acting as a catalyst, allowing the forces of innovation and entrepreneurship “roam” and minimizing bottlenecks in the path from innovation to market.
Jeffrey also points to the Chinese Zhongguancun Science Park as an example of how the park/region has been successful in attraction foreign investments. This certainly is a notable force in China’s high-tech industry, with more than 12,000 companies located in the ‘zone’. As Jeffrey points out, the Zhongguancun Science Park has attracted significant foreign direct investment – as with many regions in China and elsewhere in the developing markets, I think it is safe to say that these investments are likely motivated by the access to low worker compensation, low material cost, loose regulatory framework – making it ideal for manufacturing and large scale operations – not necessarily fostering (long term) innovation and entrepreneurship as is the main objective with a “cluster initiative”
It is also very interesting to read that according to Jeffrey, the main objective of the “Silicon Valley” to be developed in Skolkovo is less about driving innovation and entrepreneurship, but more about creating a massive honeypot of technology that the Russian industry can tap into, copy and use as basis for creating a competitive technology industry.
Very interesting issue indeed.
16 2010
Creating a Silicon Valley in Russia..?
We have previously referred to article by Vivek Wadhwa (here and here) and his thoughts about cluster creation. Following on our link to NYAS report on a Fifteen Steps to an Innovation Economy in Russia, an article by Vivek Wadhwa posted at TechCrunch provides an interesting insight to the challenges Russia (and other jurisdictions) face when taking on the effort of creating a cluster based on a top-down approach.
14 2010
Fifteen Steps to an Innovation Economy – New York Academy of Sciences Roadmap for the Russian Federation
The New York Academy of Sciences is an independent, not-for-profit organization committed to advancing science, technology, and society worldwide. NYAS has close to 24,000 members in 140 countries. Earlier this year, NYAS was invited to advice Russian Federation President Dmitry Medvedev on steps his country must take to evolve an innovation economy.
The report titled “The Yaroslavl Roadmap 10-15-20″ presented to the Russian President last week at a summit in Yaroslavl describes 10 Years to Implement, 15 Steps to Take, 20 Pitfalls to Avoid—International Experience and the Path Forward for Russian Innovation Policy.
14 2010
Serbian Medical Tourism Cluster Launched
A Belgrade based Serbian Medical Tourism Cluster has been set up to involve all interested state and private organisations involved in providing medical and tourist services – spas, hospitals, clinics, institutes, hotels, tourist agencies, restaurants, and others who provide services connected to medical and wellness treatment. It currently has 19 members. The aim is to enhance the marketing position of the Republic of Serbia as a medical tourism destination and to offer highly professional services to all that are seeking medical treatment abroad. The 300 natural springs, 40 health resorts and 25 rehabilitation centres illustrates the tremendous potential in Serbia.
