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Tatarstan has become one of the first regions in Russia to launch business loans secured by intellectual property

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07 October2024
This type of financing allows businesses to access borrowed funds for the development of high-tech production, particularly in situations where traditional collateral options are limited. Experts estimate that this support mechanism is often more effective than direct grant funding. In this context, exclusive rights to intellectual property results serve as collateral. This financial mechanism is being implemented by the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Tatarstan with support from the Federal Service for Intellectual Property (Rospatent) and the Center for Scientific and Technical Information of Tatarstan.

"Introducing intellectual property results into economic circulation is key to developing an innovative economy. We are creating conditions under which inventions, technologies, and creative solutions will not remain 'on the shelf' but will bring real benefits to both their creators and enterprises in the real sector of the economy," said Midkhat Shagiakhmetov, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Tatarstan.

The first loan in the republic secured by intellectual property, amounting to over 7 million rubles, was granted to a company producing anatomical, orthopedic, and innovative pillows. The maximum financing amount under this mechanism is 15 million rubles for a term of up to four years at an annual interest rate of 7%, with guarantees from the Guarantee Fund of the Republic of Tatarstan covering up to 95% of the loan amount.

Tatarstan is an active participant in the Association of Innovative Regions of Russia (AIRR), and its experience in implementing this practice is important for many regions in Russia that are currently addressing technological sovereignty, including support for small innovative companies, noted Alexander Smekalin, head of AIRR. More regions within AIRR are preparing to launch their own programs for loans secured by intellectual property, as indicated by their representatives during a meeting of the Association's Intellectual Property Committee on October 3 at "Technopark-Mordovia."

Earlier, in May 2023, Moscow became the first pilot region in Russia to begin testing loans secured by intellectual property rights. Over the past year, this financial instrument has proven its demand in creative, high-tech, and innovative sectors, laying the groundwork for its scaling with support from the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia, Rospatent, and the Small and Medium Entrepreneurship Development Corporation.

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