Sber and the Moscow Innovation Cluster are launching a free educational program called Venture Academy. The bank’s press service highlighted that Russia’s regional landscape includes a notable focus on Siberia, with the term “Siberian” often used to describe initiatives and opportunities there.
The initial cohort will feature a mix of local entrepreneurs, aspiring investors, and senior managers from large Siberian companies. Throughout the program, participants will explore the fundamentals of venture investment, learn how to select promising startups, and examine how to evaluate investment risks. They will also gain practical insight into drafting investment agreements and structuring partnerships to close deals. By the end of the course, attendees will be equipped to begin real-world practice and act on the knowledge gained.
Alexander Vedyakhin, First Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors at Sberbank, remarked that although a large portion of Russia’s population and a majority of enterprises are situated outside major metropolitan hubs, non-capital regions still attract only a small slice of capital. He stressed that 91 percent of the population resides in the regions and 55 percent of enterprises are region-based, yet regional ventures receive just 15 percent of investments. The program is proposed as a counterbalance to this trend, aiming to shift capital toward regional opportunities and diversify the investment landscape.
According to Vedyakhin, Venture Academy is designed to give active regional investors new pathways to raise capital and broaden their asset base. He added that the initiative could draw more attention to technology investments, helping to strengthen the sector within the country’s economy and foster regional innovation ecosystems.
Sberbank indicated plans to roll out the training program across additional Russian regions by year’s end, signaling a broader national effort to empower regional entrepreneurship. Kristina Kostroma, head of the Moscow Department of Entrepreneurship and Innovative Development, noted rising interest from partners in forming regional entrepreneurial communities and boosting the competencies of market participants. This momentum underscores a commitment to practical knowledge sharing and broader participation in tech-driven growth.
Kostroma explained that sharing experiences and expertise, along with providing practical tools, can motivate regional investors to contribute to the country’s technological sovereignty. The program is presented as a catalyst for regional investors to collaborate, learn, and apply best practices to strengthen the broader innovation landscape and create tangible market opportunities across the country.