11 April 2012
As part of the “Creating Sustainable Businesses in the Knowledge Economy” program—a joint initiative with Nokia and the government of Finland—infoDev is rolling out a series of measures to deliver stronger networking platforms, financing tools, and regulatory environments for tech entrepreneurs in Eastern Europe and Central Asia (ECA).
To reduce the overwhelming financing obstacles for early-stage Kazakh enterprises, infoDev’s Access to Markets and Finance team is developing its “Private Sector Investment for Innovation in Kazakhstan” project, which aims to catalyze the development of local angel investor networks.
The project seeks to spur knowledge transfer and networking between policymakers, private sector investors, innovative startups, and technology parks and incubators in Kazakhstan through the creation of a regional Community of Practice (CoP).
Though the project is currently in its discovery phase, it has already resonated with diverse communities in the regional investment ecosystem. Two recent round-table discussions drew over 75 high-level stakeholders, including the Kazakh Vice Minister of Industry and New Technology, and were well covered by the local press (articles in Russian).
Additionally, a workshop titled “Broadband Fundamentals and ICT Policy,” will equip policymakers, regulators, and students from the region with the skills and tools they need to capitalize on cutting-edge developments in ICT, technology, and markets, with a focus on broadband Internet and mobile applications.
“Tech entrepreneurs (in ECA) can keep driving innovation, but only with the right environment” said infoDev program analyst Anushka Thewarapperuma. “More than just building bridges, we need to train the future architects of local infrastructure and growth.”
To implement this workshop, infoDev is partnering with the Center for Global Communication Studies at the Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania. Funding for the initiative comes from the Creating Sustainable Businesses in the Knowledge Economy (CSBKE) program, a joint effort by the government of Finland, infoDev, and Nokia.
For more information on our communities of practice, visit www.infodev.org/a2mf or email Oltac Unsal (ounsal@worldbank.org). To view the workshop curriculum for April, click here. For all other inquiries, contact Anushka Thewarapperuma (athewarapperuma@worldbank.org).