Innovations

Penza Region ranks high in innovation activity index compared to other regions of Russia. In line with the strategy of socio-economic development of the Penza Region, it is the innovation sector of the economy that should determine the future development of the region for the long term.

A long-term targeted program "Development of Innovation Activities in Penza Region in 2009–2013" has been elaborated and adopted in the region.

Key issues of the Program:

• Creation and development of regional infrastructure supporting innovative activities
• Improvement of legislation ordered to support innovative activities
• Promotion of the potential of employees engaged in innovative activities
• Organization of financial leverage and stimuli to develop innovative activities
• Creation of favorable conditions for commercialization of scientific developments, production promotion of innovative enterprises
• Creation of a system of statistical recording and monitoring of innovation at regional level
• Creation and development of information system for support of innovations at all the stages, positioning of Penza Region as a region of long-term innovation development

Regional financial support of innovative activities includes:

• Subsidizing the cost of registration and legal protection of intellectual property
• Subsidizing for innovation projects – winners of federal contests
• Development of personnel potential
• Interest rate subsidies for loans taken by small businesses for the creation of new production lines, technological re-equipment, working capital financing
• Recovery of business start-up expenses
• Commodity lending to small businesses
• providing guarantees for the obligations of small businesses under the loan agreements and loan agreements with banks, creditors
• Micro-financing of small businesses
• Organization of exhibition activity in the field of innovation
• Information support of innovations

47 regional programs have been designed to stimulate innovative development of the economy of Penza Region.

In general, the emphasis is put on creating a new import-substituting and export-oriented knowledge-intensive and high tech products. In addition, special attention is paid to improving competitiveness through modernization of production, innovation and further development of infrastructure, industry, increasing the investment activity of organizations in industry and agriculture.

During the last few years, the Government of the Penza Region has been actively forming the regional innovation system based on an integrated approach. It includes elements of innovation support from birth of the idea to ​​its commercialization.

23 specialized organizations carry out research and development in the region, with about 7,000 people employed. The volume of executed research work has increased by more than 40% over the last 4 years. The number of the newly created items of intellectual property grows annually by 10% on average.

Penza Region has 7 large branch research institutes, staffed by the leading scientists and experts in the field of computing and measurement technologies, automatic equipment, micro-electronics, communication equipment, laser technologies etc. Most institutes own unique technologies, calibration and test equipment, special test basis.

Innovation infrastructure is being actively created at the universities. Currently, technology transfer centers, innovation centers, research and production centers are functioning in a number of universities.

Two technoparks are being organized in Penza Region.

1. Hi-Tech Technopark (microelectronics and next generation devices, information technologies, new materials)
2. Hi-Tech Medical Technopark (manufacture of hi-tech medical products)

A network of business incubators is being organized in Penza Region, aimed to support enterpreneurs at the early stages of their activities through the provision of premises, consulting, accounting and legal services necessary for the successful setup and development of their business. 

In 2008 the regional club "Factory of Ideas" was launched to promote innovations, providing a supportive environment for professional communication and interaction between the owners of promising ideas, potential investors and managers of innovation and investment projects.