PJSC ALROSA, the Russia-based diamond mining group, has become a partner of the GenerationS–2016 federal accelerator. GenerationS is described as “the largest accelerator of technology startups in Russia and Eastern Europe” organised by the Russian Venture Company (RVC), a government fund and development institute of the Russian Federation, and part of Russia’s efforts to build its own national innovation system.
In GenerationS the best projects selected on the basis of the results of a multi-stage assessment receive intensive development and opportunities to attract new investment. ALROSA will support the Mining & Metals corporate track “that combines a wide range of refining technology, processing of precious metals, diamond mining and smart investment by the world’s industry leaders.”
Within this track, startups from metallurgy, diamond mining and related industries will be able to make their proposals, present their technologies and gain refinement, implementation, building of joint business, investment attraction or sale of technology in the areas traditionally difficult and closed for startups. ALROSA says it “invites projects in the sphere of exploration technologies, unmanned open pit and underground diamond mining, dry concentration and diamond breakage prevention technologies in diamondiferous ore treatment to participate in the track.”
To increase its operating performance, ALROSA says it is actively searching for the ways to optimise the structure of costs at all production stages through the use of new technologies. The company’s investments in R&D in 2015 amounted to RUB2.04 billion. Applications from technological entrepreneurs will be accepted at the GenerationS official website until October 15. To become a participant, an applicant must register at http://generation-startup.ru/register. The GenerationS “Super Final” will be held in March 2017. The winners will share the GenerationS Grand Prix of RUB15 billion and will receive prizes from the accelerator partners and the opportunity “to continue the work with industrial partners or bring in investments to develop and improve their product.”
