Kendrick D. White (48), has extensive venture capital fund management experience as well as corporate finance consulting and direct executive management experience, accumulated during his 19 years of full time work in Russia. In 2005, Mr. White founded Marchmont Capital Partners, LLC, an investment advisory firm focused on VC and PE finance raising in various innovation sectors. This US registered enterprise is based in Nizhny Novgorod and has developed a wide network of consulting partnerships in key cities across the RF. In 2007, Mr. White created the Marchmont Media division which published the Marchmont Investment Guide to Russia journal and currently operates the www.Marchmontnews.com website which covers regional investment news for finance professionals. Since 2008, Marchmont has been responsible for organizing the “Business Leaders Investment Forum”, a monthly event held in key regional capital cities across the RF. This event brings together scientific innovators, business owners, investors and political leaders – together with a wide range of expert speakers from Moscow and abroad - with the aim of promoting regional manufacturing investments into modernization. Marchmont’s General Partner for the 2010 program “Innovation for Business” is the Russian Venture Company, (RVC), and Official Sponsors include; RUSNANO, UBS Bank, the US Russia Center for Entrepreneurship, Hellevig, Klein & Usov, LLC, and others. Mr. White is an expert in the field of early stage innovation project commercialization and was appointed in 2006 as one of the five private sector members of the US Russia Innovation Council on High Technologies, (ICHT), a Presidential Commission focused on developing policy proposals for the Russian government aimed at promoting Russia’s innovation economy and improving commercial business ties between the US and Russia technology sectors. Mr. White is also a member of the Independent Directors Association, (IDA), and Marchmont also holds membership in the US Russia Business Council (USRBC), the Russo British Chamber of Commerce, (RBCC) as well as many other regional Trade Associations. From 1998 to 2005, Mr. White was Director of the Quadriga Central Russia Regional Venture Fund (CR RVF), a USD $50.0 million private equity fund financed by the EBRD and the German KfW. He oversaw the implementation of numerous successful investment projects during this time, including Nizhpharm, now part of the STADA Group, Bridgetown Foods, a top FMCG snack food producer, and Multiflex, the leading flexible packaging producer in Russia. Other co-investments made by the CR RVF included; ROC, ERA Trading, Speech Technology, Pekar and Morion electronics. Between 1995 and 1998, Mr. White worked in the Corporate Finance Division of Price Waterhouse Coopers, where he was specifically seconded as a Senior Advisor to the Russian Privatization Center (RPC) and its Volga Vyatsky branch division in Nizhny Novgorod. Mr. White was responsible for training 22 Russian consultants in three provincial regions of Central Russia on the development of a self sustainable investment advisory center for SME businesses seeking market expansion and growth capital. Between 1992 and 1995, Mr. White worked as an advisor to the Nizhny Novgorod Oblast Administration and the “EPI center” think tank, where he focused his efforts on developing post privatization SME development programs, and establishing one of Russia’s first training centers dedicated to emerging entrepreneurs. This work resulting in numerous new company formations and helped to establish the region as a leader in Russia’s reform process and conversion from a command to a market driven economy. Prior to arriving in Russia, Mr. White worked from 1985 to 1992 at ABN/Amro - LaSalle Bank, in Chicago, IL, in various management positions in Strategic Planning, Cash Mgt and M&A. Mr. White holds an MBA in Finance & Int’l Business from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management (1990), Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, and a BA degree in International Economics from Stetson University (1985), DeLand, FL. Mr. White lived full time in the city of Nizhny Novgorod and is married with two children.

From 1992 to the present time Alexander Kostrikin is the CEO of Electropulse. A winner of Tomsk region awards, he became an award winner of “Profession Life” Awards for “The Company of the Year Promoting Medical Goods and Services” in 2006. Alexander Kostrikin received his degree in Radio Equipment Development and Production from Novosibirsk Electronic Technical Institute.

Eduard Arkadievich Fiyaksel - Doctor of Science, Economics 2005 till present Professor, venture management Department Chairman, Higher School of Economics, Nizhny Novgorod Branch 2000 till present Group of companies ``Nizhegorodsky Proekt``, President (Nizhny Novgorod) 2006 till present President of Privolzhsky Federal Okrug Business Angels Association ``Start Invest`` Education 1974 graduated from Radiophysical Faculty of Gorky State University named after Lobachevsky N.I. 1990 PhD, physics & mathematics 1996- Financial Academy affiliated to the RF Government, ``Banking business`` 2008 – Doctor of Science, Economics Eduard Fiyaksel has a profound theoretical knowledge of venture investments` peculiarities, business angels activity, formation of their unions, peculiarities of formation and functioning of National and regional innovation systems. He is an initiator, founder and President of “Start Invest” first regional Association of business angels of Povolzhsky Federal Okrug. He is engaged in venture business more than 10 years. He is a business angel himself, manager and consultant of venture products. He has several successful venture projects in IT and telecommunication area; experienced in formation and training of innovation managers teams. Participated in expert and judicial committees during Venture Fairs, Business-Angels and Innovators Fair, different innovation projects competitions. Eduard Fiyaksel is a member of expert committee commission on selection of subjects of Nizhny Novgorod innovation business incubator (NIBI), member of jury of ``Start`` program that is conducted by the Fund of assistance to the development of small forms of companies in the scientific-technical sphere of PFO. The author of books, monographs and training manuals. He published more than 100 articles in Russian scientific journals``. Entrepreneurship activity of Eduard Fiyaksel includes realization of the IT, telecommunication, real estate development and restaurant activities projects. Eduard is a President of ``Nizhegorodsky Project`` group of companies. He has 20 years experience in business. He was a head of more than 30 successful companies in banking, retail, real estate development, production, telecommunication, IT spheres etc. Eduard Fiyaksel received an award as a winner in nomination ``Best leader of business angels group in Russia`` during the second All-Russian Conference of business angels in 2009.

Prior to the current position, Anatoly was in charge of Technology Park Strogino located in Moscow as Deputy CEO. The Technology Park is the first project that was financed jointly by local and federal governments. Anatoly received an MBA degree from the Cranfield School of Management in the UK.

Vladimir Krylov is a co-founder and one of the first employees on the company’s staff roll. He has a unique experience in the IT area. In 2006 through 2008 Vladimir Krylov worked for Microsoft as Regional Development Director. Prof. Krylov's responsibilities included the promotion and distribution of Microsoft technologies in the Russian professional community of software developers. His post also involved support of and fostering ties with local academic community and individual software developers. Since 2004 up to 2006, professor Krylov worked as Development Manager for Intel Research and Innovations branch in Russia. In this capacity he managed innovation projects in the field of IT and telecommunications. He chaired the Intel Cup contest for Russian software developers, and was the chief editor of the corporate monograph on the WiMAX technology. Vladimir Krylov also did manage training of Russian software developers aimed at the integration of the latter into the world scientific community. Prior to joining Intel, Vladimir Krylov had been the head of the department of the circuits theory and telecommunications at Nizhny Novgorod State Technical University since 1983. Professor Krylov started his career in 1972 when he was appointed to the position of Assistant Professor at Nizhny Novgorod State Technical University and later became Associate Professor. He is an active and respected member of the research community and a member of the Russian Academy of Engineering, IEEE, ACM and Communication Society. Professor Krylov is on the Academic Senate of Nizhny Novgorod State Technical University. He is a published author of three books and more than 200 papers. Professor Krylov’s research interests lie primarily in the area of digital communication and digital signal processing, software reliability prediction, theory of dynamic systems, queuing theory and network QoS analysis. Krylov holds Master’s degree in electronic engineering from Gorky Technical University (1971). He defended his Ph.D. thesis on the Theory of Radio Engineering in 1973. Professor Krylov was awarded Doctoral degree from the Institute of Cybernetics (Ukraine) in 1981 for his joint work with academician Glushkov.

A graduate of Mendeleev Moscow Chemical Engineering Institute, Moscow State Law Academy, Stockholm School of economics and Oxford University (MBA). Mr .Elshin has over 15 years of professional experience in the investment and banking sphere. In 2006 Oleg Elshin headed the Oxford University strategic consulting team at the London Stock Exchange. In 1999 – 2004, at the time of bond market formation in Russia, he arranged first issues of public debt instruments for many well-known Russian companies, including Baltimore, Beshkirenergo, Razgulyay Group, JFC and others. Mr. Elshin is the author of numerous articles, published in leading Russian business papers and magazines, including Vedomosti, Smart Money, Financial Director and others.

Anton Teryoshin graduated from the Siberian Public Administration Academy in Novosibirsk in 2004, major filed – Finance and Credit, specialization – Tax and Taxation. He holds a degree of Candidate of Economic Sciences. In 2003-2007 Mr. Teryoshin worked in snacks manufacturing company Sibirsky Bereg in corporate tax department. Since 2007 he has been working in Moscow office of PricewaterhouseCoopers Russia B.V., in department of taxation in telecommunications, high-tech and mass media sectors. His professional interests include territories tax climate management, tax incentives for entrepreneurs.

Patrick Fullick is a graduate of the University of Cambridge (the Natural Sciences Tripos, chemical physics). Joining the oil industry, he established expertise in the financial appraisal of large-scale gas projects in the Middle and Far East, building some of the company`s first computer models in this area. Two years later he was invited to join the staff of the University of Southampton, developing innovative physics and technology courses. Outside the University, Patrick ran a consultancy to industry, advising leading UK and international companies on investing in education. He was co-director of the highly-acclaimed Science, Education and Ethics project funded by the International Council of Scientific Unions, and joint editor of the book Teaching Ethical Aspects of Science. Patrick was one of the first researchers to take an interest in young people`s use of the Internet, a field in which he was awarded a Childnet International Prize in 1998 for his contributions to understanding online social communities of young people. He remains a member of the Learning Societies Laboratory of Electronics and Computer Science at the University of Southampton. Leaving the university to found Science Connections in 2007, Patrick now works to bring together creative and inspirational people from Britain and Russia who share a passion for science and innovation, in whatever fields they can be found. Science Connections concentrates on developing understanding of innovation and business start-ups among scientific communities.

Since January 2009 Evgeny Savin has been a manager of the UNOVA.RU Internet project: news of the innovation and venture market. Mr Savin has an extensive experience of work for Russian print media and television companies. Between 2006 and 2007 he set up and managed the Internet service at publishing house Arguments and Facts. In 2007-2008 he was a publisher of regional projects of SUP Fabrik (development and promotion of the Livejournal project in Ukraine). He created iCamp, the largest informal conference in Russia. Director of DATIGRA as of September 2008, he set up a startup section at the Innovation Convention (www.iConvention.ru) Evgeny Savin studied journalism at Lomonosov Moscow State University.

Business experience: • Business Analytica Europe Ltd. (1996-2000) • PRP Weber Shandwick (2000-2001) • Russicon (Russian International Consulting) (2001-2003) • Empresa Consultora Cei (ECCEI) S.a.r.l. (2004-2005) Scientific interests: • Inter-firm networks • Relationship marketing • International business strategy • Marketing innovations • Marketing research

Graduated from the Zhdanov State University of Leningrad, Public Administration Insitute under the RF Government. Professional interests: • Megapolis management; • Regional economics; • Territorial social and economic development; • State regulation of the economy. Research projects: • Analysis of St. Petersburg Modern Conditions and Long-term Development Indicators (Social and Economic Development Forecast till 2025) (2002, the research director); • Analysis of Regional and Municipal Governments Maintenance Budgetary Costs by the example of Vologda Region – a task by the RF Ministry of Finance (2002, the research expert); • The North-Western Federal District Social and Economic Development Strategies for the Period till 2015 (2001-2003, the research expert, coordinator of regional politics, international relations, financial markets and investment sectors); • Major Targets for St. Petersburg Social and Economic Development for 2002-2004 (2000, the research director); • Hierarchic System of Targets for St. Petersburg Social and Economic Development till 2003 (1999, the research coordinator); • St. Petersburg Government’s Program to Overcome the Financial and Economic Crisis and to Stabilize Economic and Social Situation in the City (1998, the research director); • Others.

Expert at Innovation Systems Management Laboratory in Nizhny Novgorod branch of Higher School of Economics, senior teacher at Venture Management Department in Nizhny Novgorod branch of Higher School of Economics. In 2006 Mikhail Nazarov graduated with Bachelor degree in Management from Nizhny Novgorod branch of Higher School of Economics. In 2008 he received Masters degree in Innovation Management at Nizhny Novgorod branch of Higher School of Economics. Since 2008 Mr. Nazarov has been working as a senior teacher at Venture Management Department in Nizhny Novgorod branch of Higher School of Economics. Since 2009 he’s been an expert at Innovation Systems Management Laboratory in Nizhny Novgorod branch of Higher School of Economics. His scientific interests lay in regional development, regional innovation clusters, innovation clusters and innovation systems.

In 2001 Anna Blyakhman graduated from Information Systems and Technologies Department in Nizhny Novgorod State Technical University, specializing in Applied Mathematics and Informatics. Since 2004 Ms. Blyakhman has been working as a senior teacher at Mathematics Department in Nizhny Novgorod branch of Higher School of Economics. In 2005 – 2007 she worked as Deputy Dean of Management Department in Nizhny Novgorod branch of Higher School of Economics. In 2007 she was appointed the Dean of the Management Department in Nizhny Novgorod branch of Higher School of Economics. Ms. Blyakhman holds degree of Candidate of Science in Economics; her thesis paper was on Social and Economic Assessment of the Region’s Potential. Her scientific interests include: Regional economics: regional development assessment problems; Innovation management in higher school.

Polina Novikova rules the Corporate Finance department. The department is responsible for delivering for their clients the complex support in field of inward and outward investments. Mrs. Novikova is in charge of preparing middle-sized companies as well as big businesses for the investment raising. Mrs. Novikova focuses on development of strategies of internationalization for Russian companies. One aspect of her work is coordination of project-teams which facilitates internal business-processes restructuring of client’s companies in order to cope the public company’s standards. Mrs. Novikova majored in Economics and specialized in International Business. She is fluent in English. Mrs. Novikova has been working in consulting business since 1998. In 2005 she become a Head of Financial Analysis and Communal Network’s Tariffs Expertise department with Uralaudit one of the audit and consulting leader in Ural region. Mrs. Novikova successfully defended her scientific degree in 2007. Her work was devoted to the process of formation strategies of internationalization for Russian companies. She has joined the Finance group in 2009 as the Director of Corporate Finance department.

Mr.Pigalov is an expert in management consulting and advanced IFRS financial modeling. He has built extensive corporate finance, investment and management consulting experience, working on over 100 specific consulting engagements during the past 15 years in a wide variety of manufacturing, industrial, retail and other sectors. During this time, Mr. Pigalov has built an outstanding reputation in his field and a wide network of specialists and consultants in different fields with whom he collaborated in various consulting engagements.

Experience 2008 - present 2006 – 2008 FLAIG+HOMMEL, LTD. NIZHNY NOVGOROD, RUSSIA Managing Director • Production of Fasteners WOLGA CONSULT (until 10/2007: MU CONSULTING) NIZHNY NOVGOROD, RUSSIA Managing Partner • Investment Consulting for foreign companies 2007 – present INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION NIZHNY NOVGOROD, RUSSIA OF NIZHNY NOVGOROD (ICANN) President Education 2002 – 2006 FREE UNIVERSITY AND HUMBOLDT UNIVERSITY, M.A. BERLIN, GERMANY Main subjects: Modern and Eastern European History, subsidiary subjects: Slavic Languages and Literature.

Education Tatyna Komissarova graduated from Lomonosov Moscow State University and got the Candidate of Economic Sciences degree. In 1994 completed the MBA Program at the Moscow International Higher Business School MIRBIS. Holds the diploma by the Plekhanov Russian Academy of Economics. In 1992-1995 Ms. Komissarova held a number of internships in Germany, Great Britain and USA. Professional Achievements Since 1989 Tatyana Komissarova has been working in business in HR development sector, since 1996 – also marketing sector. Ms. Komissarova worked as a consultant in market management with leading companies in sector markets, such as Evrazholding, ROCKWOOL, Ekonika, TEGOLA, ROSNO, Medicina, MRSK Urals and Volga and others. She also has experience working with innovative technologies and products. Higher School of Economics-based Higher School of Marketing and Business Development in 2006, after its first year of operation, was named the most successful project by the Marketing Guild. Today it is the most recommended School of modern marketing technologies studies, according to the graduates. The School revenues grew by 40 times in three years. Tatyna Komissarovo is the head of the School’s Market Management Lab and Innovations Marketing Center, which organized on-line debate on How to Manage the Company’s Market when Sales Decrease in February 2009. About 5,000 business representatives throughout the country participated in the debate. Tatyna Komissarova was the winner of the All-Russia Contest “Person of the Year – 97” in Career and Success nomination, organized by the RF Chamber of Industry and Commerce and the RF State Duma. She is also in the list of top 300 marketing specialists in Russia, according to the Russian Marketing Association, 2009.

Vitaly Lazorin is the founder and CEO of Centre for Promotion of Innovative Technologies “NovStream-Constructive Solutions”. NovStream works with academic researchers and inventors on commercialization of intellectual property, provides feasibility study and project facilitation services to investors and businesses pursuing innovative projects. NovStream provides consulting services to the Technoangel I microfinance investment fund and .is a full member of the European Ventured Capital Association. Vitaly Lazorin started his professional career in an international auditing and consulting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers and then worked in the finance and investment business (Lower Volga Regional Venture Fund of the EBRD, Russia Partners, The Carlyle Group) focusing on portfolio financial controlling function and pursuing investment opportunities in high-tech industries. Vitaly Lazorin is the chief editor of the Russian edition of Technology Forecast, a quarterly publication of the Center for Technology and Innovation of PricewaterhouseCoopers. He is a regular speaker at Business Leaders Investments Forums “Innovation for Business” organized by MARCHMONT Capital Partners. Vitaly Lazorin is a Chartered Certified Accountant, holds a degree in foreign economic relations from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations.

Elena Tkachenko graduated from Leningrad Finance and Economics Institute named after N.A. Voznesensky in 1991. Ms. Tkachenko is the author of over 80 scientific and study materials, including 10 text books, as well as study guides and monographs. Her scientific interests include industrial businesses development management, investment project, changes management and innovation management. Ms. Tkachenko is an Expert of North-West Development and Investment Promotion Agency. She has made more than 200 investment projects appraisal.

Igor Gurkov, Distinguished University Professor of National Research University – Higher School of Economics, member of Academy of Management and Strategic Management Society, regular contributor for Journal for East European Management Studies, Post-Communist Economies, author of «Strategy and Structure of the Corporation».

In 1991 Vadim Lapidus was appointed the CEO of Methodical Center of Certification Prioritet and in 2002 he became its business adviser. As of 2004 he is the CEO of Center Prioritet. <br /> Mr Lapidus studied radiophysics and electronics at Gorky State University n.a. Lobachevsky, Radiophysics Department. In 1974 he received a degree of candidate of Science from Moscow Radiocommunication Research Institute. He is a PhD candidate in radiocommunication and Doctor of Engineering in engineering systems management <br /> Vadim Lapidus is an active member of Russian Academy of Quality Problems; member of American Society for Quality and Southern-Italian Society for Quality; member of International Academy for Quality. As of 2006 Vadim Lapidus is President of International Union of Quality Professionals. <br /> Vadim Lapidus gave lectures on quality management at Gorky State University n.a. Lobachevsky (from 1981 to 1991). From 1995 to 1998 he worked as a Professor at the Department of New Methods of Product Quality Monitor and Control at Academy of Standardization Metrology and Certification. He has been repeatedly invited to give lectures on quality management methods abroad: The University of Tokyo and Keio University (Tokyo, 1994), The Georgia Institute of Technology (USA, 1995), University of Naples (Italy, 1996, 1997), and Tel-Aviv University and Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa (Israel, 1994, 1996). Vadim Lapidus advised on creation and implementation of TQM systems at largest Russian enterprises, including Avtovaz (Togliatti, Russia), GAZ (Nizhny Novgorod, Russia), Pavlovsky Bus Plant and US-Russian JV Instrum Rand (Pavlovo, Russia), and others. <br /> Mr Lapidus is the author of many publications on quality management, including TQM, international standards ISO 9000 series, quality management in automobile industry, etc. He also tackles issues of management, motivation, and leadership in his works.

Was born in 1947.In 1971 Evgeny Sokolov graduated from Radiophysics Department in Nizhny Novogord State University named after N.I. Lobachevsky. Since 1971 Mr. Sokolov has been working in Science and Research Radiophysics Institute and then the Institute of Applied Physics in the Russian Academy of Science in positions of junior science researcher, senior science researcher, leading designer, laboratory chief, deputy chief engineer. Since 1992 Mr. Sokolov has been working as a director of GYCOM science and production company. Mr. Sokolov is a Candidate of Physics and Mathematics Sciences, specializing in Vacuum Electronics.

Chairman of the Management Board of National Factoring Company President of The East European Factoring Association (EEFA) Member of IFG`s board of directors Chairman of IFG Born in 1971 Michael Treivish graduated from Moscow State Aviation Institute, Department of Applied Mathematics, and Central Economico-Mathematical Institute, RAS. From February 1999 Mr Treivish worked at Incorporate Bank Investment and Banking Group NIKoil. In June 2001 he became President of The East European Factoring Association (EEFA). In August 2002 he was appointed the CEO of Incorporate Bank. n April 2004 Mr Treivish was appointed Chairman of the Management Board of National Factoring Company UralsibNIKoil, the first specialised factoring company in Russia. Since October 2004 Mr Treivish is a member of the board of directors of the oldest international factoring association International Factors Group (IFG) as well as President of the East European Division of IFG. As of June 2007 he was Vice-Chairman of IFG`s board of directors. In June 2008 Mr Treivish was appointed Chairman of IFG. Mr Treivish can be considered one of the pioners in Russia`s factoring business. He is the author of over 30 books and publications. Mr Treivish has participated as a speaker in many international conferences and seminars.

Nadezhda Butryumova graduated from the Higher School of Economics with Master’s degree in Innovation Management. In 2007 – 2009 she worked in Business-Angels Association “Start Investment”. Since 2008 Ms. Butryumova has been working in Nizhny Novgorod Regional Venture Fund. Since 2009 she has been teaching in Venture Management Department and working in Innovation Systems Management Laboratory in Nizhny Novgorod branch of Higher School of Economics. Ms. Butryumova has practical experience in selection of innovation projects for investment and preparation of investor proposals. Her scientific interests include small innovation companies’ problems, regional innovation system, innovation elevator system in the region.

Education - Lobachevsky State University of Gorky, graduate, Physics Department, Gorky.
Career stages: 1974-1996 -  processing engineer, the chief of scientific-production complex, the director of the company “Microelectronics”, affiliated with the Public corporation "Production Association Proton” of Electronic Industry Ministry; 2000-2005– Deputy general director of consulting firm "Region-Center" Co Ltd.; Since 2006– the director of the Center for Innovation Planning of Financial Group “Nizhegorodsky Project "and director of the Non-profit company" Business Angels Association "Startovye Investitsii"(“Start Investment”).

Field of activity: Preparation of innovation projects and small innovation companies for business angel and venture capital investment, post-investment support; Providing Non-profit company" Business Angels Association "Startovye Investitsii" functioning; Providing the functioning of Non-profit company" Business Angels Association "Startovye Investitsii", an official venture partner of the Russian venture company(RVK) Seed Fund  Ltd.; Support in functioning of Regional venture fund Closed Joint Stock Company “VTB Upravlenie aktivami”( VTB Asset management) that invest into SMEs in the scientific and technical spheres in    the Nizhny Novgorod region.

Education: Graduated from St Petersburg State University; International Academy WIPO Experience: Hellevig Klein & Usov LLC (Avenir Group) Incor Alliance Law Office – operating management, accompanying of projects connected with intellectual property; corporate practice projects

Mr Andrusov has over six years of consulting experience with implemented projects where he was responsible for developing strategies in the power sector, aircraft industry and financial services as well as market analysis, business planning, company business diagnostics and management system optimization. Earlier he oversaw operations of an analytical department at a retail bank in Moscow. Andrey Andrusov started his career as a business analyst at British and French offices of US bank Capital One where he worked for three years. He received his master`s degree in mathematics from Novosibirsk State University and Paris Polytechnic School.

Anzhelika Golova holds higher education diploma in Economics. Ms. Golova has been working at the stock exchange and is currently a regional representative of MICEX and regulates relations with regional auction bidders and securities issuers in the Volga Federal District.

 

Kirill Gusev has been working in Troika Dialog since 2008. He started as VIP-clients manager in the company’s Nizhny Novgorod office. In 2009 he was appointed the director of Nizhny Novgorod office of Troika Dialog. Kirill Gusev graduated from the Nizhny Novgorod State Technical University, specializing in Automation of Technological Processes and Production. At the same time he graduated from the Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod.

Elena Rogova graduated from Leningrad Finance and Economics Institute named after N.A. Voznesensky, specializing in Industrial Planning in 1991, and the same year began post-graduate studies in the Institute. In 1995 she got Candidate of Science degree, her thesis paper was on Venture Entrepreneurship in Russia: Theory and Practice. In 2005 Ms. Rogova received PhD degree in Economics at St. Petersburg State University of Economics and Finance, her doctorate thesis was on Organizational and Economic Provision of Technology Transfer: Theory and Practice. Ms. Rogova worked in a number of small innovation businesses as a senior accountant, economist, financial manager. In 1998 – 2001 she worked as a deputy general director in Reprografia – servicing company for polygraph and copy machines. Since 1995 she has been teaching in St. Petersburg State University of Economics and Finance as a senior teacher and associate professor in Department of Business Economy and Production Management. In 2006 she started working in St. Petersburg branch of Higher School of Economics. Ms. Rogova interned in Universities in Great Britain, Spane, Italy and Poland. She was the executive officer of several researches under St. Petersburg Innovational Development Complex Program in partnership with local administration.

Alexey Eliseev was born in Orenburg city in 1979. Graduated from Orenburg State Agriculture University, Ph.D. in Economics. Alexey’s career on the Russian stock market began more than 6 years when he took a position of a financial analyst at an investment company. Before joining RTS’s team, Alexey worked as a Vice Director of Development Department at OJSC Central Moscow Depository where he was in charge of registrar’s interaction with securities issuers. In June 2008 Alexey Eliseev took a position of Director of Regional Policy Department of OJSC RTS. And starting from December 2008 Alexey has been heading Development and Marketing of Listing and OTC Market Department. Now his competence involves issues relating entrance of securities of Russian companies to the stock market.

For the last ten years Mr. Maslennikov has been specializing in audit and consulting, and is an acknowledged expert in small businesses problems. Mr. Maslennikov coordinates expert groups, engaged in industrial companies restructurization. Among his most significant projects are bus plant LiAZ, based in Likino, Moscow region phosphoric sector companies in Kazakhstan; the All-Russia Institute of Aviation Materials, Moscow; Russian-German corporation Paninter, based in Moscow. Mr. Maslennikov has headed an expert group of the Moscow Region Department of Employment in under Russian – Norwegian project “Employment Technology for Jobless Highly-Qualified Workers – SISLAB Laboratory”. Valery’s research results were used in Russian – Canadian project “The Future of Urban Communities”, as well as by investment and consulting group ROEL Consulting.

Higher education, LETI (St. Petersburg) Previous experience: started in 1990 and still is a shareholder in a company designing Automated Process Control Systems for RAO Gazprom, innovation projects (1990 – present), 1980-1990 – Russian Federal Nuclear Center - The All-Russian Research Institute of Experimental Physics (RFNC – VNIIEF), head of laboratory. Possesses a wide experience in successful realization of different innovation projects. Charismatic leader, successful entrepreneur, result-oriented manager. Has large experience of collaboration with the enterprises of defensive complex, academic and branch institutes and production companies. Supports steady partner relationships with state organizations and industrial companies in the USA, Ukraine and some other countries. Specialized in the field of administrative consulting, innovative projects management, and analytical works. Has an experience of organizing large international projects in area of high-tech. Has an experience of difficult science intensive projects management on order of the Russian and foreign companies and organization of advancement of Russian technologies to the export market.

In 2000 Marina Karpunina graduated from Nizhny Novgorod State Architechtural and Construction University-based Humanities and Arts Institute, specializing as a Social Teacher, Health Sciences Teacher. In 2006 she completed training and received a certificate of Moscow Institute of Gestalt Therpay and Consulting, specializing as a Gestalt Therapist. She also took HR Management program by Swedish Institute of Management and French-Russian Institute of Business Administration, Strategic Assessment Center Program and others. Ms. Karpunina is currently working as a senior teacher at Venture Management Department at Nizhny Novgorod branch of Higher School of Economics, and HR consultant. Since 2002 Ms. Karpunina developed and participated in several projects, related to HR assessment, reorganization, motivation and development at Nizhny Novgorod Business Magazine, Huntsman – NMG, Sadovy Tsentr (Garden Center), Stomatolog (Dentist), Toledo, Energogarant, as well as partnered in projects, carried out by RAO UES, Samsung-service and others. Ms. Karpunina specializes in business team-building, personnel assessment and selection, corporate training programs and open theme training sessions. She continues practicing gestalt therapy through individual and family consultations.

Education 1982 – Lomonosov Moscow State University, specialization – Biology; 1994 - Lomonosov Moscow State University, specialization – Psychology. Elena Karaeva has over 20 years of experience working as a management consultant. Her main specialization is businesses and municipality territories development, educational programs, including programs for innovators and young specialists. Ms. Kartaeva has carried out projects in Kaliningrad, Rostov, Saratov, Penza regions, as well as Slakhalin, Kamchatka, the Republic of Mary El and other regions. Among her clients are RENAULT, Volga-Dnepr Association, Kvazar-Micro, Ucrtatnafta, Vologda region Government, Ministry of Regional Development and others. Ms. Kartaeva gas developed several authorship programs, such as Funky-Battles, Creative City, FutureVille, which have been presented at professional conferences, Golden HR contest, TV-project Capital (channel TNT) and were put into practice. Ms. Kartaeva’s projects and methods were presented in specialized magazines Expert, Rynok Tsennyh Bumag (The Securities Market), Russian Food Market Magazine, Munitsipalnaya Vlast (Municipal Government), Gorodskoye Upravleniye (Urban Management), and a number of monographies.

Oleg P. Yakovlev is the independent consultant with as much as 15 years of relevant experience at the area of management consulting. During the development of his professional career Mr. Yakovlev has constantly been working at the close cooperation with Progressor Group. Primary education – Faculty of Soil Science of Moscow State University named by M.V. Lomonosov. The areas of professional specialization: government and municipal board, strategic planning an organizational development, project management. As a project manager and stream leader Mr. Yakovlev took part at the performing of different projects in Moscow, Kostroma, Rostov, Vologda, Saratov, Penza, Kamchatka, Chuvashia, Ossetia, Stavropol regions. As a consultant Oleg has been performing projects for state authorities at regional and municipal levels, federal ministries and departments of RF. Working together with Progressor Group Oleg Yakovlev worked for such clients as Renault, Volga-Dnepr and many others. As a consultant and an expert Mr. Yakovlev also performed a number of projects for the World Bank and some others international financial organizations and funds. The methodological approaches used by Mr. Yakovlev during the projects’ performing as well as the projects’ principal results descriptions were published as monographs as well as articles at “Expert” and “Municipal power” magazines; its were also presented at different relevant conferences, admitted and tested by professional community.

Aleksey Mokrov graduated from Radiophysics Department and Economics Department in Nizhny Novgorod State University, he also interned in Rosklide University in Denmark. In 1999 he got Candidate of Science degree, his thesis paper was on Marketing Planning Processes in Russian Industrial Companies: Organization Principles, Methods and Models. In 2000 Mr. Mokrov founded Navigator group of companies, partnering with marketing agency Media Navigator, software company Monitor-CRM, Market Capital Solutions group. In 2001 – 2007 he worked as a deputy general director of Nizhny Novgorod Regional Marketing Center. Mr. Mokrov is an associate professor at Higher School of Economics. Mr. Mokrov specializes in investment marketing and innovation marketing. His professional interests include investment project management, business express-capitalization, marketing research and investor relations. Mr. Mokrov is the author of 75 published articles on marketing, decision-making models, marketing information systems, sales management, dealer network building and other topics. He participates in 17 Russian and international conferences, coordinated over 90 successful projects in marketing systems and marketing strategies development, M&A deals.

In 2006 Denis Fomenkov graduated with honors from Nizhny Novgorod branch of Higher School of Economics, specializing in Marketing. In 2006 – 2009 he headed marketing and sales department in RosAvtoStroy. Since 2009 Mr. Fomenkov has been teaching at Marketing Department in Nizhny Novgorod branch of Higher School of Economics. His scientific interests and expertise include: Entrepreneurial Marketing; Transfer Strategies from Early to Main Market; Problem of Small Innovation Companies Internationalization.

In 2006, graduated with honors from the Faculty of Management, SU-HSE with a degree in Marketing. Since 2006, engaged in the implementation of marketing projects in areas such as development, Internet providing, restaurant business, high and business education. Since 2007, the lector of the Faculty of Management (Marketing Department), SU-HSE in Nizhny Novgorod. The author of educational courses «Event Marketing», «Relationship marketing». Professional interests: relationship marketing, marketing of innovations, customer loyalty

Born in 1950. Sergey Ershov graduated from Physical Department of the NNSU (at the time – the Gorky State University) in 1972. Ever since he has been working in the NNSU in all position levels – starting with engineer and finishing with the professor. In 1978 Mr. Ershov got the Candidate of Sciences degree, in 1997 – PhD, in 1983 – associate professor, in 2000 – professor. Mr. Ershov has published 120 science works and holds four authorship certificates. Since 2000 Sergey Ershov has been working as the director o the Innovation and Technology Center of the NNSU. Mr. Ershov is a member of the Council for Science and Technology and Innovation Politics under Nizhny Novgorod regional Government. He regularly advises the Office of the Plenipotentiary Representative of the RF President in the Volga Federal District.

Mr. Sidorov is a Master of Management (Higher School of Economics, 2008) and Master of Physics and Mathematics Sciences (Nizhny Novgorod State University named after N.I. Lobachevsky, 2007). Mr. Sidorov teaches at Venture Management Department in Nizhny Novgorod branch of the Higher School of Economics. Mr. Sidorov has vast experience in innovation projects development within Synthetic Crystals group of companies, building relations between key participants of innovation projects.

Education: Graduated from The State University of Gorky, physical department in 1986. Since 1989 worked as a physicist-engineer in a closed research institute in Gorky. In 1993 obtained a degree in state and municipal management in Volgo-Viatsky Personnel Center (State Service Academy of Volga-Viatsky region afterwards). In 1997 obtained a degree of candidate of juridical science in the graduate course of Russian Academy of government service by the President of Russian Federation in Moscow. Took part in the program of the Management center “de Baak” “From planned economy to dynamic management ”, Netherlands, June 1999, certificate; worked on probation in a private company “Egorov, Puginsky, Afanasiev and partners” Philadelphia, USA, 1994, may – June, program “Business for Russia”; upgraded professional skills, taking a course of Jurisprudence for stock and broker business in Nizhny Novgorod, February, 1991, certificate. Work Experience: Julia Kruse is a general director of a Juridical Stock Company of a Closed type “T.M. Service”, mainly specializing in legal consulting and juridical practice in such spheres: legal defense and support of business on all the stages of its development, including geographical expansion, purchasing and sale of business, reorganization, representative and defense of the corporative clients in the court and state power organs, local self-government, taking part in negotiation with foreign investors, clients, preparation of normative acts’ projects on demand of governmental and local authorities. Apart from current juridical practice Julia Kruse regularly organizes and takes part in regional and international entrepreneur seminars and conferences. She has prepared an author course “Legal base of business”, “Defense of assets” and other courses for corporative clients, Chamber of Commerce and Industry, advanced Universities of Nizhniy Novgorod (MBA – State University – in the Nizhny Novgorod’s brunch of The High School of Economy, Nizhny Novgorod Technical University, Education Consortium of Nizhny Novgorod). Was published abroad. General Achievements: Legal researches of Julia Kruse regularly appear in the Press or on Television of Nizhny Novgorod. For the share in the development of entrepreneur is awarded various certificates and commendations from the plenipotentiary of the President of Russian Federation in Volga Federal Region (in 2004). Juridical Company “T.M. Service” is a partner and a participant of the program “Business leaders of Volga region”, 2004 – 2005, got an award “the elite of Nizhny Novgorod’s business” (in 2004) and is a corporative member of Nizhny Novgorod Professional Consultants’ Guild, and a participant of federal ratings of Russian juridical companies (since 2003 until now), and a participant of international conferences. In 2008 on the base of quotation enquiry the managing company “T.M. Service” was an executor of a governmental contract of a creation of a draft of the concept of the development of small and medium entrepreneurship in the Nizhny Novgorod’s region till the year 2020. And a juridical company “T.M. Service” was an executor of a governmental contract of the preparation the draft of the law “of the development of small and medium entrepreneurship in Nizhny Novgorod’s region”. The concept and the law were passed and came into effect in the end of the year 2008.

Elena Fomchenko has been with The U.S. Russia Center for Entrepreneurship since 2006. She is responsible for project management regarding training venues for entrepreneurs, co-financing and research programs in Nizhny Novgorod.

In 2001 Natalya Shubnyakova graduated from Physics Department in Nizhny Novgorod State University and completed professional retraining program on Entrepreneurship in Science and Technology Sector at the same University. She also undertook training under Entrepreneurship Training Dynamic Model program in 2006. In 2005-2007 Ms. Shubnyakova was a manager coordinator at Business-Angels Association “Start Investment”. Since 2006 she has been working as a senior teacher at Venture Management Department in Nizhny Novgorod branch of Higher School of Economics. Ms. Shubnyakova’s scientific interests include: – regional innovation system; – HR training system for innovation sector; – project training methods.

Ms. Sysoeva is a teacher at Venture Management Department in Nizhny Novgorod branch of Higher School of Economics, she specializes in Innovation Projects Management and Innovation Manager’s Personal Competency Development. She is also an expert at Innovation Systems Management Laboratory in Nizhny Novgorod branch of Higher School of Economics. Ms. Sysoeva also holds position of director on development in RosAvtoStroy. Ms. Sysoeva has vast experience in research projects on relations between key participants of regional innovation cluster at early development stage. Ms. Sysoeva provides business training and consultancy services on business modeling, business processes engineering, innovation projects team building and business planning. She published a number of science articles on those topics. Ms. Sysoeva holds Master degree in Management.

Ilya A. Korshunov, born October 8, 1968 in Gorky . After graduation from the Nizhny Novgorod State University, Department of Chemistry, in 1990 he took a post-graduate course at the Institute of Chemistry of High-Purity Substances of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) and received the Ph.D. degree in 1993 with his thesis “Inhomogeneities in fabricated Zinc Selenide by Chemical Vapor Deposition”. From 1993 to 1998 he worked as a Senior Scientific Researcher and as Head of Laboratory for “Treatment of optic materials” at the Institute of Chemistry of High-Purity Substances of RAS. He is a co-author of over 10 journal publications and 1 patent in laser materials. Ilya A. Korshunov is a winner of State President scholarship and a member of the Academic Council of the Institute of Chemistry of High Purity Substances of the Russian Academy of Science. Since 1997 he has been working as an Professor at the Nizhny Novgorod State Civil Engineering University. From 1997 to 1998 Ilya A. Korshunov was a General Expert for Science Organizations at the Department for Education and Science of Regional Administration. He was responsible for monitoring of scientific enterprises in the Nizhny Novgorod region, organization of collaboration between science and industrial companies, development of regional legislative acts for science and innovation activities (i.g. «Program for Development of Scientific-Technical Potential of the Nizhny Novgorod Region till 2001»). Since 1999 he has been working as the Director of the state-owned educational institution “Science and Information Center of Nizhny Novgorod”. He develops and provides new information and consulting services, training programs based on the needs of scientific institutes, enterprises and other institutions working with innovations. He works as a broker between scientific institutions and industrial enterprises in the process of signing contracts between them, helps companies to find the best partners among scientific institutions. The scope of his scientific activities includes the investigation of the Infrastructure for market-oriented R&D and Products Commercialization. He is a co-author of above 20  publications in this field.

Born on September 17, 1960. Dmitry Rylkov graduated from the Gorky Higher Anti-AiCraft Missile Command School for Air Defense in 1982. In 1982 – 1991 he served in a military base in the town of Priozyorsk in Kazakhstan. In 1991 – 1992 he worked in law enforcement. Since 1993 Mr. Rylkov has been working in business. Mr. Rylkov is the co-owner of Briz-Comfort – supplier of air conditioners, ventilating fans, heaters and geothermal pumps. He is also the director of InvestStroyGroup. Mr. Rylkov is a publisher of Krupny Plan magazine.

Alexander Savinov is the Head of the Nizhny Novgorod Representative office of the managing company Quadriga Capital Russia. Quadriga Capital Russia is the managing company of a private equity fund, specializing in the Russian private equity market. Mr. Savinov joined Quadriga Capital Russia nine years ago working as an investment officer from 2000 till 2005, and in 2005 was appointed the Head of the Nizhny Novgorod Representative office. Prior to the start of his career at Quadriga Capital Russia Mr. Savinov worked as the Head of Controlling Department at Uhde, a Russian affiliate of Thyssen Krupp group. Mr. Savinov holds an MBA from the European Institute of Management, and has a Masters degree in Law and Physics.

Vladimir Karyuk was born on April 15, 1947 in the town of Elets, Lipetsk region. In 1971 Mr. Karyuk graduated from the National Nuclear Research University MIFI. In 1995-1998 he took training courses on Management, Marketing, Finance Management and Resources Management in the Open British University. In 2001 he was an intern in the USA under SABIT program, specializing in Science Research Commercialization. In 1965 – 1990 Mr. Karyuk worked in Russian Federal Nuclear Center - The All-Russian Research Institute of Experimental Physics (RFNC - VNIIEF), where he participated in 10 underground nuclear tests at Kazakhstan and New Land landfills. In 1989 Mr. Katyuk founded science and production private firm BINAR. In 20 year the small private firm has grown to become a competitive innovation company with 360 workers. Since 2000 BINAR has been actively participating in innovation events throughout the Volga Federal District. Mt. Karyuk has set up BINAR-based business-incubator, hosting nine small innovation firms, working in different sectors. Since 2003 Mr. Karyuk has been serving in an award panel, selecting innovation projects for the Foundation for Assistance to Small Innovative Enterprises (FASIE fund) under the START program. He has been awarded with the Volga Business Leader Award and Nizhny Novogorod region’s 3rd Degree Medal for Community Spitil and Honor.

In 1989 Aleksey Umnov graduated from Radiophysics Department in Nizhny Novgorod State University. Since 1989 has been teaching in the Nizhny Novgorod State University, in 2000 he was appointed the associate professor of the Electrodynamics Subdepartment of the Radiophysics Department of the NNSU. In 1998 he received the Candidate of Physical and Mathematical Sciences. Since 2002 Mr. Umnov headed the Laboratory "Physical Fundamentals and Technologies of Wireless Communications" in the NNSU, founded and supported by Intel corporation. He ran a number of innovation projects on wireless connection systems and services, initiated by such companies, as Intel, Microsoft and others. Specifically, he managed development of long-distane WiFi communication, built with use of phased antenna array. Since 2005 Mr. Umnov has been the co-founder and the director of the group of companies, working in wireless networks market. The companies has introduced to the market such products as Oil Wells Parameters Wireless Monitoring System, Utilities Meters Wireless Supervision System, Mobile Wireless Security System, urban traffic monitoring Internet service DorogaTV. The group has also developed a number of mobile information and educational services (mLearning).

Was born on May 8, 1961 in the town of Arzamas-75 (presently – Sarov), Gorky region (presently – Nizhny Novgorod region). Education: 1978 – 1983 Gorky State University named after N.I. Lobachevsky, Radiophysics department; 1985 – 1987 Nizhny Novgorod University of Design; 1988 – 1989 Nizhny Novgorod School of Efficient Management, Professional record: 1983 – 1985 – fellow researcher at IAP RAS; 1985 – 1989 – engineer at IAP RAS; 1989 – 1992 – junior science researcher at IAP RAS; 1992 – till present – science researcher at IAP RAS, the general director of MEDUZA; 2004 – till present - Head of Innovation Programs Sector at IAP RAS; 2008 – till present – the member of the Committee of Innovations and Industrial Politics of the Nizhny Novogorod regional Chamber of Industry and Commerce.

Eric Hansen has been with The U.S. Russia Center for Entrepreneurship since its setup in 2002. He is responsible for project management regarding training venues for entrepreneurs, co-financing and research programs. Mr. Hansen oversees programming of CFE offices in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Nizhny Novgorod. Eric is a BOD member at Russian Association of Entrepreneurship Education. He is also a member of Executive Board of Our Talents Foundation, Enterprise Development Committee of The American Chamber of Commerce in Russia, a member of Marchmont Capital Partners` Advisory Board, and member of the Expert Council of the Business Incubator at the Higher School of Economics in Moscow. Eric has been working in Russia since 1992. He is fluent in Russian.