Gazprom and Rusnano consider establishing a venture fund

Rusnano and Gazprom plan to create a venture fund for companies that develop new technologies for the gas industry, the Chairman of Rusnano’s Board Anatoly Chubais said at the innovation forum in Tomsk.

We made a joint decision to establish a venture fund focused on startups and small innovative enterprises that are able to develop innovative technologies in the gas industry - Chubais says.

In addition, the Deputy Minister of Economic Development Oleg Fomichev suggested at the plenary session Energy of Innovation Development that Gazprom will be able to become Rusnano’s investor when the corporation enters the market.

Since Rusnano plans to become a market player considering subsequent privatization, Gazprom’s investments in Rusnano are likely to happen – Fomichev says.

In turn, the presidential envoy in Siberian Federal District Viktor Tolokonskiy stressed that the development of Russian science needs the support of energy companies representing the most profitable sector of the Russian economy.

Innovus Forum Energy of Innovation Development dedicated to innovation in the resource sector takes place in Tomsk, May 22-23, 2013. The forum is organized by the regional administration and the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, the General Partner is Gazprom OJSC. The Forum is also supported by Inter RAO and SIBUR companies, and Gazprombank.