Russia must support domestic innovation business mentors ? Skolkovo advisor

Russia must support innovators and entrepreneurs capable of not only doing successful business but also mentoring younger entrepreneurs, believes Pekka Viljakainen, the advisor to the Skolkovo Foundation president

To ensure Russia?s innovation business development, this country must actively support a select group of entrepreneurs in the high-tech sectors that are not only skilled in developing their own successful projects but can also share their experience with younger entrepreneurs as mentors, believes Pekka Viljakainen, the advisor to the president of Russia?s Skolkovo Foundation and a leading international expert in innovation. Russian news agency RIA Novosti quoted Mr. Viljakainen as saying that in his opinion, ?the level of Russia?s innovation development is much higher than it was five or six years ago.? He pointed out a dramatic increase in innovation activities in Russia?s regions, too. He thinks to continue the development, Russia should focus on the backing of successful high-tech entrepreneurs who can do more than just run specific projects but would also be willing to mentor other people. Mr. Viljakainen set the example of Finland?s innovation system which many experts regard as one of the world?s best in creating an ?economy of knowledge? in a single country...