Skolkovo Launches “Pervye” Initiative for Breakthrough Technologies

“Pervye” (“The First”) is not a competition of ideas — it is a competition of readiness. Applications are open to companies that can demonstrate the pioneering nature of their technology or solution, whether at the national level, within a specific industry, or across a particular sector of the economy, science, or technology. Companies from Russia and CIS countries are eligible to apply, provided their projects meet the competition’s criteria.

The support mechanism follows a staged approach. First, an expert panel selects the most promising projects and helps prepare them for investment. The strongest teams then become eligible for funding from development institutions, with support reaching up to RUB 1 billion depending on the scale and maturity of the project. Finalists will also have the opportunity to present their solutions directly to senior government leaders.

Alexey Parshikov, Deputy Chairman of the Board for Partner Relations at the Skolkovo Foundation, commented on the selection approach:

“‘Pervye’ is about companies that are doing something for the first time in the country and are ready to prove it. We are not evaluating presentations; we are looking for projects that demonstrate genuine technological leadership. The strongest of them receive not only financial support, but also something equally valuable — the attention of the country’s top decision-makers. For a breakthrough project, that can often mean more than the funding itself.”

In developing the concept of “Pervye,” the Skolkovo Foundation drew on its experience running industry-focused programs such as Build Up, GreenTech, EnergoProryv, and others. The new competition expands the search for breakthrough technologies across all sectors of the Russian and regional economies.

“Pervye” is part of the “Grand Challenge” (“Bolshoy Zakaz”), the central theme of Startup Village 2026. Under the festival’s new format, Russia’s largest corporations publicly define specific technological challenges and budgets, while technology companies compete to provide solutions for pilot projects, deployment, and commercialization.

“Pervye” represents the highest tier of this demand-driven model, focusing on breakthrough projects with the potential for national-scale impact.

Applications can be submitted via: pervye.sk.ru