Moscow’s municipal government is planning a new city innovation cluster to be launched by summer this year, which will include a blockchain-based platform for its participants to connect to find potential partners, products, and equipment.

Moscow’s Head of the Department of Business and Innovation Alexey Fursin was reported by Russian media (Feb 11) as saying those who join the platform will also be eligible for financial support from the Moscow government in the form of grants. Fursin explained that the platform for the new cluster is derived from Moscow’s city navigation hub iMoscow, which is currently being finalized.

Moscow’s innovation cluster is aimed at bringing together technology and business entities, such as technology parks, business incubators, IT firms, universities, and research and development (R&D) organizations.

Russia’s Innovation Cluster Draft Bill was recently approved by the presidium of the Moscow government. Russian media said (Feb 7) it is next expected to be sent to the Moscow City Duma for approval soon, although no fixed date has been mentioned.