I am so glad that people are calling this 'there is no gvernment money needed in research' a lie, for that is exactly what it is. At the moment Russia has a huge opportunity, whilst other economies don't have the cash, to pump lots in and move ahead. Russia, whilst feeling the crisis; due its reserves and great debt position (don't ever forget it!), find itself in an investment antiphase. Meaning it can invest when other countries cannot. And that means being able to provide lures for the best brains to come, especially when at home, they cannot realise their full potential due to their countries domestic debt positions. Austerity elsewhere means fertile ground for headhunting. We should pump in loads of money and have muliple hubs all linking into Skolkova. Each hub should then have a knowledge transfer function and an incubator or network of incubators attached depending on geography, supported by Angels, VCs, other companies and self supporting sole inventors. This gives us a true research backed innovative network across Russia, delivering the research backbone and providing the touch point into hyper exploititive market driven entrepreneurs. But we do need evangilists, they are the ones who can drive it, not from the top, but at the local level. Its all about networking, if most companies and most entreprenuers are not linked in. then it is failing. These evangilists must make the connections to get the real existing entrepreneurs and business in touch with the incubators and their finance supporting functions. Networking is absolutely key to the success of this project. We are pouring water in the top, if no one can drink it at the bottom, then we have a dessert. Foreigners are great, they will add a fantastic extra dimension, creating a true international flavour and adding extra value due to a diversity of cultures, training and past experience. This isn't a liitle closed shop with easy competion. take note my compatriots, you will need to compete!

“We have been taught for a long while that science should be paying back. It is a lie,” he [Surkov] stated. Without financing from the state, he went on, “even such free and super-rich economy as the American cannot create new technology.” Nicely put Mr.Surkov. This immediately brings me the names of Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla who could not invent and create anything until they got huge amount of money from American taxpayers... I am pleased to hear, thought, that at least one thing Skolkovo leaders got right -- "Best specialists should be working in the center – no matter where they come from. Therefore, the import of brains, import of specialists, not only local ones, is crucial.". Now, the most important thing -- you need to figure out how to make it happen. Because, this is where the real challenge is.

Let's move forward in this world and get past the myth that we can go back to the 'good old days' of wires and magnets and that this is the only form of invention. We need to realise that invention comes at all levels; ranging from invention that can be done in the kitchen, to others that may need a flight in space. From derivative invention to a step breakthrough invention. Because Invention is multidimensional, in terms of its charactersitics. It is simply a totally out of touch view that modern economies do not need well funded research. We have learn't alot in Research, we know it has to be balanced between blue sky and industry trajectories. We know it must be stratagised and managed, we know it must have a knowledge transfer backend and we know that there is a paradim shift in thinking, that small scale cannot compete with government aided programs going forward. The US actually recognise this, and recognise they are becoming at a disadvantage, against other countries government assisted research programs. We are stepping to the future with this approach, and are aligning ourselves with the international benchmarks for how modern research should be conducted. It is highly refreshing to see government acting in a responsible way and enabling a research and innovative based economy. The investment is coming from hydrocarbons, it is investment from the peoples black gold store of value, into their future generations livlihood and prosperity. But people will ask about return on ivestment, and in a transparent way that has to be shown. The use of KPIs can greatly help in this process, using metrics such as patents and know how generated, as a reaearch stage measure; and the ratio of flow of these into subsequent KPIs of industrial useage and revenue for them respectively. But the key to it all is top level dashboard management, allowing professionals to get on with their work of the real science,

Count Cash, What does "multidimensional invention" mean? I mean, the one which "comes from all levels". I guess, you already start inventing things... even before Slolkovo is built. Also, I think, I may ask you to elaborate to this: ".. Research, we know it has to be balanced between blue sky and industry trajectories"? Where is the trajectory of the blue sky? How it looks like? For me the whole sky is just blue, sometimes with clouds. May be I just do not use proper angle or look at it from the wrong perspective? Now, you said: a) "It is simply a totally out of touch view that modern economies do not need well funded research". Who is arguing this? I am not. b) "... small scale cannot compete with government aided programs going forward". You may be wrong on that. Non-government companies may have very impressive size and conduct more research than some government-controlled. Though, of course, they try to avoid fundamental research as it just drains money without big return. c) "The US actually recognise this, and recognise they are becoming at a disadvantage, against other countries government assisted research programs". Really? Would you, please, be more specific about those countries? And were did you get that information that the US government does not fund research programs? d) " aligning ourselves with the international benchmarks for how modern research should be conducted". Where are they, those benchmarks? Are they published somewhere? I means, as a researcher, I should know if I am aligned or not, shouldn't I? e) "But people will ask about return on ivestment, and in a transparent way that has to be shown. The use of KPIs can greatly help in this process, using metrics such as patents and know how generated, as a reaearch stage measure". Firstly, Russians are humble -- they will not ask. They just swallow it as usual. Secondly, patents is exactly what Russians taxpayers are looking forward of getting...

Bogdanov, At last some attempt at comprehension of someones statements! Now this isn't a spoon feeding school, so take the next step and do research. Then come back with aternate ideas, concepts.. that are honed - then we can discuss! But gladly I go away on vacation, so its bye for a while.