How does the Hi-Tech Park ecosystem contribute to the development of innovative entrepreneurship in Belarus? In this article, we will look at a startup ecosystem and how the conditions created jointly by the Hi-Tech Park and educational institutions allow teams with fresh ideas to build startups and successfully develop in a competitive environment. We will also look at why IT startups benefit from collaborating with HTP and gaining access to the startup ecosystem of the Hi-Tech Park, as well as why the HTP startup system is essential for developing entrepreneurship in innovation.
What is a startup ecosystem?
A startup ecosystem is a combination of various elements and participants of the system that interact to create, support and develop startups. The startup ecosystem includes:
1. Startups — companies that create new products or services, often in an environment of uncertainty.
2. Investors: Venture capital firms, business angels, and other funding sources willing to support startups in the initial stages.
3. Accelerators and incubators help startups grow by providing mentoring, resources, and capital.
4. Academic institutions and universities that promote innovation through research and talent development.
5. Supporting organizations like law and accounting firms that help startups navigate the business environment.
6. Communities and networks — platforms for sharing experiences and ideas where entrepreneurs can establish valuable contacts.
Thus, the startup ecosystem is a dynamic network in which the interaction of all participants contributes to accelerating innovation and idea monetization.
Belarus ‘ place in the world according to the startup ecosystem rating
The Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2024 is a rating of countries compiled according to various criteria related to the attitude towards startups. These criteria include, in particular, the number of active startups, the number of people involved in startups, the speed of the Internet, and others. In 2024, Belarus ranked 42nd in Europe, 82nd in the world, and 21st in Eastern Europe in this ranking of 100 countries and 1,000 cities.
The startup ecosystem of the High-Tech Park of Belarus is also related to the high potential of the startup ecosystem of Belarus.
How the Hi-Tech Park develops its startup ecosystem
HTP is interested in developing entrepreneurship in the field of innovation, as this activity is significant for the state and prestigious for society. Here are some of the ways HTP develops the ecosystem of innovative startups:
1. Creating a separate department for working with startups
In May 2024, the Hi-Tech Park created a special division to develop the startup movement: the HTP startup center.
2. Interaction with Belarusian universities
As part of developing the startup system, the Hi-Tech Park enters into agreements with Belarusian universities. These agreements involve HTP cooperation with universities to create and monetize innovative projects and support university startup centres’ work.
According to HTP plans, the startup support ecosystem has already reached 12 universities in Belarus.
Interaction with HTP universities is significant, as the HTP can use its capabilities to help implement startup ideas and support young, talented IT entrepreneurs. HTP sees universities as where the expert community, infrastructure, and human and scientific capital allow business startups to emerge and develop.
HTP representatives attend university events dedicated to IT startups and participate in startup centers of Belarusian universities.
3. Holding exciting and important events together with other startup centers and companies
HTP conducts events to develop startups that cooperate with startup centers and other organizations.
Together with the startup center of the Belarusian State University (a leading university in Belarus), In August 2024, the HTP held a national-scale seminar called “Infrastructure of Innovative Entrepreneurship in Higher Education Institutions”. Representatives of startups from all Belarusian universities attended the workshop. The speakers were not only employees of the Park and BSU startup centers. Participants of the StartUp Space youth business community and graduates of acceleration programs also spoke.
The HTP Supervisory Board Secretariat has signed an agreement with the Council of Young Scientists under the Belarusian Ministry of Education to hold joint events to support and develop university entrepreneurs in the field of innovation.
HTP, together with other innovative companies, conducts startup project competitions. In 2023, 20 projects prepared by startups from all Belarusian regions reached the final of the GreatStartup competition. These projects were selected from 50 applications that were submitted to the contest. The winners of the competition received cash awards, the opportunity to promote their projects, the chance to meet with representatives of the business community, the opportunity to visit the co-working space of the HTP business incubator to work on a project, and the status of a resident of Minsk City Technopark LLC under a simplified procedure. It was planned that such a competition would become an annual event.
4. Holding events in the HTP business incubator
The HTP business incubator is a physical platform for innovation development for startups. It is also intended to develop existing companies. Still, events held by the business incubator can often be attended by HTP residents and existing companies.
For example, in the summer of 2024, the HTP business incubator hosted seminars on preparing a startup for attracting funding, possible mistakes in attracting investment, and how to avoid them.
HTP holds events not only for startups but also for potential startup investors. In particular, in the summer of 2024, the HTP business incubator hosted a Meetup titled “Making investments in a startup.”
5. Implementation of the startup ecosystem development concept
The development of the startup ecosystem involves, in particular, the development of new young high-tech companies in the Belarusian and foreign markets. Together with universities, HTP develops students ‘ knowledge about entrepreneurship in innovation and monetization of business projects.
6. Networking
At offline and online events held by the HTP for startup teams, you can get acquainted with other HTP teams and experts. This contributes to developing ideas, their expert evaluation, and expert support for innovation.
HTP events for developing the startup system in Belarus attract the attention of the Belarusian startup community and help establish connections between representatives of the startup community from different fields of activity.
7. International cooperation
HTP helps Belarusian universities cooperate with foreign educational institutions. HTP holds meetings with representatives of other countries, particularly Brazil, Vietnam, and Hong Kong, on the development and support of the startup movement and promising startups.
Which universities have signed cooperation agreements with HTP
Since 2024, the HTP has been working to coordinate and sign cooperation agreements in the framework of the startup ecosystem development.
HTP is the leading partner of the startup center of Belarusian State University, the country’s leading educational institution.
The HTP Supervisory Board Secretariat also signed agreements on the development of the university startup system, in particular with:
- Vitebsk State Technological University.
- Gomel State University, named after F. Skorins.
- Gomel State Technical University, named after P. O. Sukhoi.
- Polotsk State University. named after Euphrosyne of Polotsk.
- Brest State Technical University.
- Polessky State University (Pinsk).
- Grodno State University named after Yanka Kupala.
- Belarusian-Russian University in Mogilev.
- Belarusian State Technological University.
Why IT startups need to get into the HTP ecosystem
IT startups need to get into the startup ecosystem of the Hi-Tech Park in Belarus for several reasons:
- In the future, a startup can become an HTP resident and receive tax benefits. HTP residents can take advantage of special tax conditions, which significantly reduce the financial burden on startups.
- Access to investment— venture capital companies and business angels actively work in the ecosystem and are ready to invest in promising projects.
- Mentoring and supporting startups get access to experienced mentors and experts who can help avoid mistakes and accelerate business growth.
- The networking ecosystem provides many opportunities for networking with other startups, potential customers, and partners.
- Infrastructure: The presence of a business incubator, state-of-the-art offices, laboratories, and other resources facilitates product development and testing.
- Established relations with the state — The Hi-Tech Park actively cooperates with state bodies, which helps in solving administrative issues.
Thus, participation in the Hi-Tech Park startup ecosystem provides IT startups with a platform for rapid development and access to resources and opportunities that can significantly accelerate their success.
Why the HTP startup ecosystem is essential for the development of innovative entrepreneurship
The startup ecosystem of the Hi-Tech Park plays a vital role in the development of innovative entrepreneurship in several vital areas:
1. Creating an enabling environment for startups:
HTP offers startups that have become residents of the Park preferential tax conditions and administrative preferences, which makes starting a business less expensive and more attractive.
2. Support for innovative ideas
The ecosystem is organized so that promising ideas in the IT field are developed and supported by experts in technology and business.
3. Access to finance
Partnering with venture funds and investors helps startups attract the necessary investments for development, which is one of the most critical aspects of the growth of an innovative business.
4. Experience and mentoring
The park employs experts with experience in various fields who can help startups avoid common mistakes, optimize business models, and develop market entry strategies.
5. Network capabilities
HTP promotes creating a community of startups, businesses, research organizations, and investors, facilitating the exchange of knowledge, experience, and resources.
6. Entering the markets
Thanks to the support of more mature companies and infrastructure, startups in the HTP can enter international markets, which significantly increases their chances of success
7. Research and development
HTP promotes cooperation between universities and startups, which makes it possible to attract research and development to practical business projects.
Thus, the startup ecosystem of the Hi-Tech Park in Belarus provides comprehensive support for innovative entrepreneurship, making it an important catalyst for the development of technology and the country’s economy.
How to contact us
For more information or advice on issues related to HTP startup ecosystem in Belarus, do not hesitate to contact us. We are here to help and support you.
Phone and email communication options are available for your convenience:
- +375293664477 (WhatsApp/Telegram/Viber);
- info@spex.by.
