Russia has launched an extensive national program to foster university-based entrepreneurship. Innovative companies established at universities are becoming pivotal in achieving the state’s strategic objectives for technological leadership.
The focus on university-affiliated enterprises is no coincidence. Leading Russian universities are renowned for their strong fundamental academic schools. Their research teams generate cutting-edge solutions essential for the country’s technological breakthrough. Small companies producing advanced products can rapidly test innovations and integrate into supply chains with major industrial customers.
According to the goals of the new federal project “Technologies,” the number of small technology companies in Russia is expected to increase nearly tenfold by 2030—from 1,500 in 2023 to 12,000. Concurrently, these enterprises will play an increasingly significant role in the national economy and in strengthening Russia’s technological sovereignty. As outlined in the project’s roadmap, their combined revenue is projected to grow sevenfold by 2030, reaching 2.1 trillion rubles.
Another strategic mission of university-based small enterprises is unlocking student potential. Universities not only provide young people with a solid scientific foundation but also cultivate entrepreneurial competencies.
In the Samara Region, small innovative enterprises (SIEs) affiliated with higher education institutions have been operating for over 13 years, serving as successful examples of integrating science, education, and the real economy.
For instance, Samara National Research University has established 18 such enterprises. According to university representatives, these companies not only facilitate the monetization of intellectual property but also foster an innovation ecosystem around the university, attracting talented youth and creating new jobs.
From Idea to Production: The Story of “3D Kub”
One of the earliest and most successful ventures of this kind at Samara University is LLC “3D Kub.” University scientists and engineers explore the industrial applications of additive manufacturing technologies—processes that produce physical objects from digital 3D models using materials such as photopolymers, plastics, waxes, steels, and alloys.
In 2012, university specialists entered the “START” competition with their own development: an intelligent system for technological preparation of foundry production (a specialized workstation for foundry engineers). Following their victory, the university decided to advance this direction through a dedicated entity. The company was registered as an LLC, with 40% of its charter capital held by the university and 60% by the author team. This model enabled the transfer of know-how rights into the SIE’s charter capital and launched its commercial development.
As Vitaly Smelov, Director of LLC “3D Kub” and Director of the Institute of Engine and Power Plant Engineering at Samara University, explains, the development of proprietary software allowed the team to algorithmize manufacturing processes. “We succeeded in producing wax patterns for investment casting with significantly reduced preparation time and improved final product quality. This marked the beginning of the SIE’s evolution into an independent small enterprise,” says Smelov.
Subsequently, “3D Kub” began participating in larger-scale technological projects, including those supported by federal grants. In 2024, the team won an NTI Foundation competition to develop a prototype of a small gas turbine engine with 22 kgf thrust. The three-year contract amounted to 60 million rubles. “This is a pre-series development project. Our selection in the first wave of the competition confirms the relevance and demand for our solution,” notes the company’s director.
Another promising initiative at Samara University is the development of a domestically designed piston internal combustion engine under the SIE “Aerospace Technologies.” This project also received a two-year grant of 29 million rubles. According to Vitaly Smelov, full-scale testing of the piston engine—including its proprietary control system and fuel injector—was completed in summer 2025.
“We’ve created a flying laboratory that demonstrates our team’s capabilities not only in design but also in building fully functional prototypes,” shares Smelov.
In the future, this engine will serve as the basis for a product line ranging from consumer equipment—such as lawn mowers and brush cutters—to dual-use technologies.
Currently, the SIEs have prepared a full series of experimental and pre-series prototypes. However, launching serial production—for example, of small gas turbine and piston engines at a volume of 1,000 units per year—requires substantial investment in infrastructure and material resources. “Serial production represents a new level for us. For now, we are proceeding step by step: developing technologies, testing prototypes, refining designs, and conducting market research,” says Smelov.
Today, “3D Kub” operates as a fully-fledged commercial enterprise. Its financial performance shows strong positive dynamics: revenue reached 17 million rubles in 2024 and grew to 60 million rubles in 2025. The company’s activities extend beyond grant-funded contracts—it also provides technological and engineering services to industrial partners.
As the university emphasizes, SIEs fulfill important personnel and social functions. These enterprises serve as a bridge between academic training and real-world practice, helping retain talented graduates in the region. For example, “3D Kub” employs approximately 30 people, including both experienced engineers and Samara University students who combine work with their studies. “We primarily hire our own students. They gain unique hands-on experience in real engineering projects—from design to testing,” notes the company’s director.
The Synergy Effect
For small innovative enterprises to succeed, it is crucial to establish an optimal cooperation model with the university as the founder. Only then does the model become mutually beneficial: the university gains a business mechanism for rapid commercialization of research results, while the SIE gains access to innovative infrastructure and human capital.
“When an innovator emerges as a separate legal entity, operational costs immediately arise—rent, equipment, accounting, and legal support. These ongoing expenses can undermine a project at its inception,” reflects Vitaly Smelov. “A university that positions itself as entrepreneurial provides innovators with workspace and equipment access, enabling them to build prototypes.”
The experience of Samara University and “3D Kub” demonstrates that small innovative enterprises can serve as effective instruments for integrating science, education, and business. They enable the advancement of developments to prototype stage, attract funding, create jobs, and retain talent in the region. The success of such enterprises largely depends on the university’s flexible and supportive policies, its willingness to build mutually beneficial partnerships, and its ability to cultivate an environment where innovative ideas have a real chance to materialize.
Expert Opinion
Vitaly Smelov, Director of LLC “3D Kub” and Director of the Institute of Engine and Power Plant Engineering, Samara National Research University
“Small innovative enterprises are, above all, teams focused on solving advanced engineering and production challenges and commercializing intellectual property. Their key advantage lies in the ability to rapidly assemble competencies in response to acute market demands. Within a university setting, an SIE becomes a tool for accelerating processes and responding effectively to external challenges.”
Source: kommersant.ru
