KFU at Russian Venture Forum: student startups, anniversary memorabilia, and discussions

19th Russian Venture Forum took place at Kazan Expo on 10th and 11th March.

RVF is the largest platform for interaction between startups, investors and representatives of large companies, promoting the development of innovative entrepreneurship. The theme of the forum in 2025 is “Technological Entrepreneurship: Space of Higher Competencies”. Over the course of two days, participants discussed key trends in the venture capital industry and private equity, as well as strategic objectives for the development of technological entrepreneurship in Russia.

The event is organized by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, the Investment and Venture Fund of the Republic of Tatarstan, the Association of Venture Investments (RAVI), the Association for Assistance to Digital Development and the Idea Innovation Technopark.

This year’s event is attended by more than 5 thousand delegates from 25 countries, heads of leading foreign venture capital funds, authoritative experts from the locomotive countries of economic growth in Eurasia, said Rais (Head) of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov at the opening ceremony of the forum. Representatives of Kazan University are among the participants. The forum was also visited by Valery Falkov, Minister of Science and Higher Education of Russia.

Danis Nurgaliev, Vice-Rector for Earth Sciences, told about KFU’s experience in intellectual property management.

“Today’s round table is dedicated to intellectual property – it is actually a very complex issue related to patents and other products of intellectual activity that arise in the process of implementation of various projects, for example, within the framework of the Russian Science Foundation or in partnership with companies,” said Dr Nurgaliev.

The further fate of developments is not always clear, which raises the question: how to breathe life into them and commercialize them?

In the interview, the vice-rector said that today KFU has about 1,500 patents.

“In the oil and gas industry, we usually cooperate with Tatneft, Gazpromneft, Lukoil and other companies. There are many ways to apply patents. We can provide services not only to those with whom we created these products, but also to other companies. We can produce products based on these patents and sell them. There are quite a lot of such projects,” Danis Nurgaliev emphasized.

In addition, Kazan University presented the project of low-tonnage production of active pharmaceutical substances at the forum. It involves a full cycle of development, testing and pilot production of biopharmaceuticals. According to Dmitry Pashin, Vice-Rector for Digital Transformation and Innovation, the project is important for the reason that today our country is facing the issue of production sovereignty.

“Only 6 percent of pharma substances used in the creation of vital drugs are domestically produced. Everything else is brought in from abroad,” Pashin reported.

Anton Dyganov, Head of the Department of Innovative Development of KFU, joined the discussion “Youth and Technology: Student Startups as a Driver of the Future of the Republic of Tatarstan”. The experts discussed the role of technology parks and universities in the development of the startup industry and measures to support student initiatives in the Republic, as well as success stories.

“In 2022, the federal project University Technological Entrepreneurship Platform was launched, which gave an additional impetus to the development of student project work and entrepreneurship. It is a whole series of events, thanks to which the young people participate in trainings on entrepreneurial competencies and accelerator programs. Our university initiated the creation of a university startup studio. And today at the forum you can see the results,” said the speaker.

The university startup studio’s booth worked at the forum. It presented projects that have passed the way from idea to realization, for example, a simulator for the treatment of strabismus.

“First of all, this is a test of one’s strength. Just as athletes need to perform at competitions and scientists at conferences, in the same way startups need to participate in such events to look at others, show themselves, socialize and dive into this environment. That is why we actively promote the participation of students in project work and their involvement in such activities. It makes no difference whether it is technological entrepreneurship or social projects. There are a lot of opportunities, you just have to try,” emphasized Dyganov.

Visiting the People of Science exhibition, the guests of the Russian Venture Forum got acquainted not only with breakthrough discoveries of KFU, but also with the project teams of the university’s scientists who have made a significant contribution to the development of Russian science within the framework of the Priority 2030 strategic academic leadership program.

“With this exhibition we decided to show the teams of scientists – it’s time to tell about the people who lead the developments. It turned out that our scientists are very cheerful, energetic and young, and many of them solve interdisciplinary problems,” commented Natalya Pitulova, Head of the Reputation Management and Reputation Marketing Division of the Department of Information Policy of KFU. “Why did we want to present the exhibition at the Venture Forum? The point is that all the discoveries that the expo tells about have already been implemented in people’s lives.”

As part of the second day of the RVF, a presentation of the creative potential of educational organizations of the Republic of Tatarstan and student merchandise was held. Employees of the student popular science TV channel UNIVER TV, who study at the Higher School of Journalism and Media Communications of the Institute of Social and Philosophical Sciences and Mass Communications, took part in the show. Four models, two men and two women, presented a limited collection of branded clothing and accessories designed especially for the University’s anniversary.

“The year of the university’s foundation is 1804 and the number 220 are iconic milestones that are spelled out in the collection not just as numbers, but as a cultural code encrypted on every item. The visual dominant feature is also the Zilant – the mythological guardian of Kazan and the symbol of the university, which holds the torch of knowledge,” explained Regina Nigmatullina, Head of the Center for Advertising and Brand Development of the Department of Information Policy.

From the usual hoodies and T-shirts designers have moved to seasonal capsules, for example, among the items of KFU merch you can find a stylish raincoat and umbrella. The items fit into both a student closet and urban style.

“An accent element in the image of the models is a Students chiffon scarf based on the stained glass window of the same name, designed specially for the lobby of the main building of Kazan University by the outstanding muralist Victor Fyodorov in 1977. Over the years, the stained glass window has become a symbol of student unity and a part of the university’s cultural code,” Nigmatullina said.

Master’s student Alesya Mukhachyova presented her project at the Russian Venture Forum.

“My team and I applied for the Student Startup competition last year and won a million rubles to create a project to develop and implement author’s tours in Russia with immersive elements. But we realize tours specifically in Tatarstan, i.e. it is hiking tourism with elements of photo training and immersion in history, culture, the plot of the tour, which we go through together with the participants,” commented Mukhachyova. “Student entrepreneurship is very important, because it is students who originate some interesting ideas, as they see life from a different angle. That’s why it’s great when the government supports the initiatives of young people.”