Shuvalov: The future of Russian technology is built on people and science

The Startup Village festival has been held at the Skolkovo Technology Park (part of the VEB.RF group) since 2013. Every year, the festival brings together technology entrepreneurs, large businesses, investors, scientists, and development institutions. In 2026, the festival was held as part of the Moscow Entrepreneurship Week and attracted over 10,000 participants, including representatives of technology companies from 30 countries. The event was co-organized by VEB.RF and the Moscow Government. Igor Shuvalov believes that events of this format create the conditions for the emergence of technological leadership projects: «The festival’s platform erases borders and removes barriers, inviting those who are shaping the future economy to engage in direct dialogue. Here, startups meet corporations, investors meet promising projects, and development institutions meet companies in need of business scaling. This interaction generates a unique energy that propels us all forward. For VEB.RF, entrepreneurship and technological leadership are not just words; they are key pillars of our strategy.» According to the head of the state corporation, such meetings have a direct impact on the development of the talent economy. Within the VEB.RF group, not only Skolkovo is actively involved in this process, but also Skoltech, which trains the next generation of researchers and engineers, and Prosveshchenie, which is actively transitioning to digital educational services. VEB.RF will continue to explore the topic of the knowledge and talent economy at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in June. The VEB Class hall

(Hall D2) will host a diverse program of events, including a discussion marathon where experts will discuss how schools, universities, businesses, and technology work together to shape and influence human capital development and what it takes for individuals to learn throughout their lives.