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Volume 3 Issue 1: Jan-March 2007
2007 IssuesAccess
In this issue...
Forum Provides Business Opportunities for Investors and Presenters
CRDF in Kazakhstan
CRDF’s Services for Accessing Global Innovation
News Roundup
Upcoming Events
Forum Provides Business Opportunities for Investors and Presenters
Alex Kosik wants to persuade potential American investors to help him produce a cutting-edge product that helps the disabled control their PCs with a wireless, iPod©-like sensor that fits in the mouth. He will get the chance as one of 12 Eurasian entrepreneurs presenting at the Eurasian Innovation & Investment Forum, March 27-28 in Northern Virginia.
The Forum will give Eurasian participants an opportunity to form business partnerships with Northern Virginia-based companies, investors and government organizations. Kosik is very confident about his ability to pitch his company's (Gravitonus) business plan to attendees. Not only has he given a presentation to Microsoft's Bill Gates, but he has also received help from CRDF—including market validation research, business consultation and assistance with creating a strong business plan and presentation. More
Recognizing that competitiveness in the global market place demands cooperation between the science and business communities, CRDF launched the Science & Technology Entrepreneur Program (STEP) in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Moldova and is now expanding to Kazakhstan. On February 15, CRDF signed an agreement with the National Center for Scientific and Technical Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan (NCSTI) to nurture the creation of innovative communities in the country; and is committed to increasing its technological competitiveness in the global marketplace in the next few years. STEP will promote the process of starting and growing innovative companies by training high-impact entrepreneurs and by providing opportunities for them to work with existing for-profit enterprises.
This closely follows news that CRDF has received formal registration of its planned new representative office in the Republic of Kazakhstan. This office will provide a base of operations for a number of CRDF’s programs and activities in the region—including those centered on science cooperation, threat reduction activities in the area of bioweapons and commercial opportunities in the development of Kazakhstan’s high-tech industry, says Eric Novotny, CRDF’s vice president for programs.
“It’s an exciting opportunity,” says Novotny. “Kazakhstan is a very dynamic country that wants to do progressive things.”
CRDF’s Services for Accessing Global Innovation
CRDF draws on its expertise developed in 11 years of operation throughout Eurasia to deliver a host of services tailored to clients’ needs from startups to global leaders. Available services include:
- Access to an international network of scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs in various technology sectors
- Contract development and intellectual property guidance
- Receipt of host-government concurrence for projects
- Transfer of funds, and purchase, procurement, and delivery of equipment
- On-the-ground support through representative offices in Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan
Read the full article by CRDF Project Manager Heather Fernuik for the BISNIS Bulletin.
Now you can read exclusive content about science, business and venture capital funding—offered by sciencebusiness.net and American Venture Magazine—in CRDF’s Access newsletter. Click on the links below to directly access the full articles.
- “Avoid One Night Stand VCs and Look for Character and Commitment” [American Venture] – Although the odds are low that a VC can steal your idea and start a competing company, it does happen, even if rarely. Learn how to protect yourself from such risks.
- “Looking for Venture Capital Investment?” [American Venture] - With the proper preparation and presentation, entrepreneurs can use due diligence to their advantage and increase their chance of obtaining venture capital investment.
- "The Pace of Internationalization in R&D Is Picking up – and That's Good" [sciencebusiness.net] - Science is an international affair, of course, and this internationalization is expanding fast.
Eurasian Innovation & Investment Forum
March 27-28, 2007
Northern Virginia