Thread: Russian Silicon Valley

"A group of Silicon Valley venture capitalists who bet on companies like Skype and Facebook are taking a look at another long-shot proposition — that Russia can diversify its economy away from oil.

The Russian president, Dmitri A. Medvedev, has elevated diversification to a centerpiece of his economic policy and is building a sprawling technology park outside Moscow referred to as Russia’s Silicon Valley, Andrew Kramer reports in The New York Times."

Russia Takes a Big Step Into Technology
http://dealbook.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/ ... ?src=busln

Skolkovo - Moscow School of Management
http://www.skolkovo.ru/index.php?lang=en

Kremlin wins first deal for Russian Silicon Valley
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSLDE6 ... arketsNews

Американский фонд вложит в Сколково $250 млн
http://www.vedomosti.ru/tech/news/2010/05/31/1027059

Akademgorodok - the educational and scientific centre of Siberia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akademgorodok

Is Russia Silicon Valley for Real or just the New way for the Russian Mobs get Richer?
http://awesomedc.com/2010/05/31/is-russ ... et-richer/

That's another budget-cutting project as the current "nano-tech" one and many others. Chubais is busy in 'nano' project cutting budget and withdrawing taxpayers' money abroad, so it's appointed to Vekselberg&Co this time . I've been near the place there they are going to build this "hi-tech scientists' paradise" - it's a couple of square kilometers near MKAD and Rublevka. I guess they will construct a 5-meters-high wall around this piece of land and all that we shall can see about it will be only reports on state controlled TV channels. Very convinient place for uncontrolled spending of taxpayers' money! Why hadn't they choosen one of already existing science-cities in Moscow region (like Dubna, Chernogolovka, Fryasino, etc.) for this project? Even why on earth Moscow region? Haven't they interested in regions' development? Novosibirsk for instance would be a perfect place for that project in my opinion. But looks like they (our goverment) are only caring about stealing some more money from taxpayers.

I think it's a very smart move of Russia to focus on IT innovation and entrepreneurship. Seems like the right industry for the right country.

I know there is outsoucing happening at the moment, but personally I am not a big fan of the principles behind outsourcing, and I think locally driven, innovative industry is a better bet.

My view is that it is not just about building fancy science parks; they should make sure that all kids have access to computers and good IT teaching in schools; try and have some special IT academies to really spur on those who are talented.

Good science seems to be a tradition in Russia but they really need to make sure that the people stick around in the country, not move to other countries. I have met lots of super talented Russian programmers and technical architects here in the UK! Lately also in Sweden.. (!?)

Today, I read a technical design proposal from a British company. The author had a Russian name and although the design was flawless, the English was not...

A month and a bit back, I went on a business trip to a godforsaken place in rural Sweden (where the government in its' wisdom decided to support high tech industry...) The idea was that I was doing some initial planning of a technical project that I am managing... (completely pointless journey, btw) As it turned out, only one of their lead techies was actually Swedish, the other two were Russian and Ukrainian! I only met them briefly so there was no opportunity to ask them what prompted them to move.

I think Russia needs to find a way to keep people like this in the country in order for a high tech industry to develop quickly. It just won't happen if too many of the really talented people leave the country. I don't know how they could be convinced to stay but there's got to be more that they can do.. Plus, what a waste for the Russian state to give these people free science education, then they clear off the minute they have their degree!!

Am I exaggerating this problem just because I have met lots of Russian people in the IT industry, outside of Russia...? Or do you see it as a problem? What is the solution?

I see Russia as having HUGE potential to take off as a software development hothouse. It's one of the many reasons I want to learn Russian.

---
MBA = Master of Вullshiт Acronyms...
But unfortunately people believe anything you say, as long as you have some bullshiт acronyms, phony statistics and fancy Powerpoint slides to back it up... So it's probably a good thing for Russia to start a serious MBA education which teaches this and much more...Good luck to the "СКОЛКОВО Executive MBA"

The only thing I can't understand is how former Intel CEO let them persuade him into all this. Maybe he hopes that it's not all _that_ bad as it really is.

Outsourcing is devastating the IT industry in the USA. I love foreigners here but when jobs are taken from Americans for an H-1B visa person that is a problem to me.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H-1B_visa# ... he_program

If there is no shortage of Americans for the jobs why the H-1B visas?

Scott

Originally Posted by Hanna

Am I exaggerating this problem just because I have met lots of Russian people in the IT industry, outside of Russia...? Or do you see it as a problem? [...] I see Russia as having HUGE potential to take off as a software development hothouse. It's one of the many reasons I want to learn Russian.

I might be totally mistaken, but I have a feeling that issue is at the very bottom of the priorities list for the Russian Government.

Originally Posted by Crocodile

Originally Posted by Hanna

Am I exaggerating this problem just because I have met lots of Russian people in the IT industry, outside of Russia...? Or do you see it as a problem? [...] I see Russia as having HUGE potential to take off as a software development hothouse. It's one of the many reasons I want to learn Russian.

I might be totally mistaken, but I have a feeling that issue is at the very bottom of the priorities list for the Russian Government.

I thought they wanted to diversify off oil and gas....? I realise they have to deal with problems in Caucasus, low fertility and unemployment.. But they can multitask, can't they?

Btw, I'd love to hear your story some time.. what prompted you to move to Canada etc. I guess you are part of that braindrain...!

Originally Posted by Hanna

I thought they wanted to diversify off oil and gas....?

They might probably call it that, however they mean something else.

Originally Posted by Hanna

I realise they have to deal with problems in Caucasus, low fertility and unemployment.. But they can multitask, can't they?

I'm not sure they are dealing with those issues either. I mean, they are dealing in a sense of ignoring and silencing and hoping it would somehow solve itself out.

Originally Posted by Hanna

I guess you are part of that braindrain...!

I'm really not a part of it as I left when the USSR was still out there (for the different reasons), and so I was required (by the USSR Government) to denounce my USSR citizenship. I never had a chance to get the Russian citizenship. As for the brain-drain, I really don't think the Russian Government has any concerns. They had (and still have) a lot of well-trained bright intellectuals they couldn't find a good use for. So, those intellectuals had to find alternative ways of making their living. Something like physically importing goods from Turkey and selling them on the market, or selling books, etc. So, don't worry about the Russian Government, they're totally fine.

Originally Posted by Crocodile

So, don't worry about the Russian Government, they're totally fine.

I'll be able to sleep better now

Originally Posted by Hanna

I thought they wanted to diversify off oil and gas....? I realise they have to deal with problems in Caucasus, low fertility and unemployment.. But they can multitask, can't they?

Hanna, have you read my post above? This project (so-called "Russian silicon valley" ) has nothing in common with high-tech or IT or so. They are declared it's about high-tech and IT to make some PR. It could be, say, "To save penguins in Anarctica" or "To close the ozon hole", it doesn't matter. It's all about stealing taxpayers' money, nothing else.

Originally Posted by Basil77

Originally Posted by Hanna

It's all about stealing taxpayers' money, nothing else.

People always say this about their governments but most of the time the government is at least TRYING to do something good (even if they fail)...

The best example from the UK is the "millenium dome" project -- An indredibly expensive and incredibly large exhibition area was created outside London, and it was a complete and utter failure for lots of reasons. But it was well-intentioned, for the most part. Nobody thought it would fail and nobody attempted to trick the public...

So do you think this is a DELIBERATE attempt at genuinely stealing taxpayers' money, or do you think that its more a case of an idiotic project that is unlikely to be successful... Is there any proof; if so, why don't people protest about it?

Sorry I didn't read all the posts properly, I got really excited to read about an IT project in Russia; as you know I have a lot of respect for Russian techies etc. I thought the idea sounded nice and that you were being overly suspicious....

Originally Posted by Hanna

Originally Posted by Basil77

Originally Posted by Hanna

It's all about stealing taxpayers' money, nothing else.

People always say this about their governments but most of the time the government is at least TRYING to do something good (even if they fail)...

So do you think this is a DELIBERATE attempt at genuinely stealing taxpayers' money, or do you think that its more a case of an idiotic project that is unlikely to be successful... Is there any proof; if so, why don't people protest about it?

It's Russia. "We aren't in Kansas anymore".

Originally Posted by Basil77

Rublevka..

всё понятно. Maybe something like, add highest value services to this highest value place. Not necessarily theft, but spending lots on themselves. Same idea, taxpayers pay for grand services for modern dvorians.