Microsoft Will Invest In Skolkovo Fund

Microsoft will initially invest in Skolkovo tens million dollars a year. Executive officer Steve Ballmer told reporters last week in Moscow .

Fund Skolkovo and U.S. company Microsoft signed a memorandum of understanding to the beginning of cooperation between the innovation center and the software giant. This document was signed by Steve Ballmer and president of Skolkovo Fund Viktor Vekselberg.

It is planned to create items platforms of Technical Computing (new initiative to create a large-scale solutions in the field of data processing for research, engineering, data analysis and experimental modeling) and Microsoft Business Solutions (business applications).

Microsoft also plans to engage on the basis of Skolkovo implementation of promising research projects in cooperation with Russian and foreign universities and research organizations, to expand the program of assistance to the Russian innovative start-ups, to establish a technology center to provide access to information technology in Skolkovo and support the creation of University of Technology.

S. Ballmer noted that the key point of investigations should be cloud computing, which allow users of different levels of access to information anytime, anywhere. "We live in a time of great hope, when there are opportunities for convergence of technologies and innovations that result will create new ways of sharing information," - he said.

Under the agreement, the corporation intends to provide its own financial support for start-up companies in the implementation of the most promising ideas in their early stages. 


S. Ballmer noted that the Russian market for Microsoft is strategically important. "Russian IT-market is growing rapidly. For several years, we expect that it will double. In coming years, the corporation plans to sell in Russia 1 million computers with software of Microsoft", - said the head of the company. However, he pointed out that in terms of technology and innovation in the Russian Federation there is a "fantastic opportunity". 


President of Skolkovo Viktor Vekselberg, said: "We are pleased to welcome such a large IT-player like Microsoft as a project participant in Skolkovo. The vast experience of the corporation as to create innovative IT-products and solutions, as well as in organizing and supporting research and well as her knowledge and skill to create an innovation ecosystem will be very useful for the development of Skolkovo."


V. Vekselberg also said that in the near future may be signed contracts with several major companies. "Russia's level of mathematical background is very high and we are going to companies that see here, especially human resources. Among the companies with which we expect shortly to sign the agreement are Nokia and Intel".