U.S.-Russia Innovation Corridor Selects Participants for Spring 2014

Following a Competitive Selection Process, American Councils Announces Spring 2014 Residents in IT, biotechnology, and advanced manufacturing

WASHINGTON, May 20, 2014 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- American Councils for International Education announces the selection of four startups to join the U.S.-Russia Innovation Corridor (USRIC), an initiative that advances research-to-market collaboration through renewable three-month residencies. Through USRIC, the participants will collaborate with American Councils to develop new markets and identify U.S. partners, using the resources of the Maryland International Incubator (MI2) housed at theUniversity of Maryland at College Park (UMD).

Over 160 projects from 50 cities across Russia applied to participate in the startup initiative. The participants were selected based on their innovative footprints in their respective industries and university entrepreneurial ecosystems:

• Rubius, an engineering software company specializing in computer aided design (CAD),computer aided manufacturing (CAM), and product data and lifecycle management solutions;
• PicLab, developer of 27Faces, high-tech tool for experts in business analytics, marketing, and merchandising that analyses audiences of Digital Signage Networks;
• Bioliquid Pro, an enzyme-based bioagent for crops and food protection against mold that is able to detect and prevent fungal growth without harmful antibiotics; 
• 3DMetalPrint, а project creating technology and equipment for the production of precise, high-strength parts from metal powders using additive manufacturing (3D printing) methods.

The startups were established from research at Tomsk State University of Control Systems and Radio Electronics, Yaroslavl State University, Kazan Federal University, and Ufa State Aviation Technical University. The companies were selected on their unique potential to disseminate knowledge following the residency period, including working with young entrepreneurs and supporting regional economic development initiatives.

The U.S.-Russia Innovation Corridor develops and fosters region-to-region and industry-based partnerships with university-based researchers and startup companies serving as the core drivers. In March, American Councils and Kazan Federal University formally established the Tatarstan-Pennsylvania Innovation Corridor to spur the development of energy, petrochemical, and other technologies.

USRIC participants in the Fall 2013 cohort included the technology transfer and innovation office at the National Mineral Resources University in St. Petersburg; Magru, a Moscow-based e-publishing platform; and Enzymer, a waste-water processing technology from the Northern Arctic Federal University in Arkhangelsk.

About the U.S.-Russia Innovation Corridor

USRIC was formed by American Councils as part of the Enhancing University Research and Entrepreneurial Capacity (EURECA) program. The University of Maryland (UMD) and the University of Nizhny Novgorod (UNN) are founding partners, with cooperation and support from the State of Maryland and the government of the Nizhny Novgorod region. The U.S. Russia Foundation for Economic Advancement and the Rule of Law (USRF) funds the EURECA program, which is administered in the U.S. by American Councils. 

About American Councils

American Councils for International Education is a premier, international nonprofit creating educational opportunities that prepare individuals and institutions to succeed in an interconnected and increasingly interdependent world. Through academic exchanges, overseas language immersion, and educational development initiatives, American Councils designs and administers innovative programs that broaden individual perspectives, increase knowledge, deepen mutual understanding, and contribute to successful international collaboration. 

About the US-Russia Foundation

The US Russia Foundation for Economic Advancement and the Rule of Law (USRF) is the legacy foundation of The US Russia Investment Fund (TUSRIF), funded by the U.S. Government in 1995 to promote the development of the private sector in Russiathrough direct investment and technical assistance to private Russian enterprises. The mission of USRF is to support the long-term economic development of Russia's market economy, working in close partnership with the Russian government and leading Russian institutions. In this way, USRF seeks to build strong ties between the United States and Russia. 

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