Technopolis PLC

Technopolis PLC is the Finnish company managing network of technoparks in Finland and Russia. Technopolis founded in 1982 owns in Finland of more than 450 thousand sq.m of the areas, servicing about 1200 customers in 13 technoparks. Except premises and related services (telecommunications, protection, etc.), Technopolis is engaged in attraction of external financing and preparation of business plans for the clients. Technopolis Ventures is responsible for this direction.

Management

• Keith Silverang is the president and the CEO of advance party of the companies
• Carry Mikkonen is the vice president of Technopolis who is responsible for the Russian direction
• Peter Coachman is a CEO Technopolice St. Petersburg (Technopolis PLC affiliated enterprise in Russia)

Projects in Russia

Technopark of Pulkovo

• Total area: 24,100 sq.m
• Area suitable for leasing: 19,400 sq.m
• Quantity of jobs: ≈ 2,000
• Number of floors: 8
• Lease cost: from 800 to 1250 rub/sq.m

Technopolis PLC continues construction on Pulkovskoye Highway (the South of St. Petersburg near the ring highway and the airport) technopark of Pulkovo which first stage should be handed over in the spring of 2010. This organization possesses a ground near the airport on which there has to be an eight-story building, with a total area of 24100 sq.m. and with an estimated value of €50 million. The first building of the technopark focused first of all on the IT companies will be open on April 27, 2010. The rate size for tenants will begin with 970 rub for sq.m.

Investments into the St. Petersburg technopark made €50 million. The Step company became the general contractor at construction of technopark.

Now founders of the St. Petersburg technopark say that it will allow not only to attract the foreign companies on the local market, but also to create new domestic-owned knowledge-intensive firms.

One of important design features of the St. Petersburg technopark is the possibility of operational re-planning of premises. To change the size of rooms and to move jobs it is possible within one working day. As much it will be required to time for adaptation of premises to requests of the new tenant. The possibility of operational re-planning is especially important for the hi-tech companies at which it very quickly changes both the total number of employees, and structure of the separate commands working on special projects.

Technopolis attracts tenants also providing specific services which are not in normal business centers. In the St. Petersburg technopark only a set of the services contributing to the development of the hi-tech companies will be offered first. For example, Technopolis will help the clients with work with venture funds and with promotion of products in foreign markets. Other specific services are supposed to be started in process of growth of interest of tenants in them.

Pilot innovation center

In November, 2006 Technopolis announced opening of the pilot innovation center which is designed to help development of the Finnish companies at a stage of their emergence in the Russian market. The first two companies which appeared in the center became Planora Oy which is engaged in consulting in the field of power and software development and Mikkeli Politeknik, representative office of the polytechnical university of the city of Mikkeli.

Other directions

Except the St. Petersburg direction, at Technopolis the memorandum of cooperation with the Government of Moscow and the agreement of intent are signed with the government of the Tyumen region.