Russia may introduce a new category of technology companies known as “technology leaders.” The Ministry of Economic Development has submitted a corresponding draft government resolution. Potential candidates for this status include drug developers, medical device manufacturers, and research organizations operating in the healthcare sector. A dedicated state register is expected to be created for these companies, along with priority access to government support measures.
The document, prepared on the instructions of the President and First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, sets out specific eligibility requirements. Companies with annual revenue of between RUB 4 billion and RUB 40 billion will be able to apply for the status, a threshold higher than that established for small technology companies. In addition to financial performance, a company’s innovation activity will also be assessed. To be included in the register, applicants must score at least 65 points based on an expert evaluation.
The assessment will cover several areas: innovation potential, market potential, manufacturing capabilities, business reputation, and development strategy. The highest scores will be awarded to companies that spend at least 5% of their revenue on R&D; hold registered patents and other intellectual property rights; can demonstrate documented demand for their products through agreements and contracts; operate a certified quality management system; export to countries outside the near abroad; and achieve an average annual revenue growth rate of at least 15%. In addition, revenue from the company’s core business must account for at least 20% of total revenue, and its products must outperform comparable Russian and foreign alternatives.
The Ministry of Economic Development is expected to be responsible for establishing and maintaining the register. Company assessments will be conducted by the Skolkovo Foundation and the Center for Engineering and Innovation Support, which will also serve as support centers for technology leaders. They are expected to advise organizations on obtaining government support and facilitate interaction with federal authorities. For most companies, an expert opinion will remain valid for two years, while for developers of medicines and medical devices, the validity period has been extended to three years. Inclusion in or removal from the register will take no more than five business days.
At the same time, the rules governing the allocation of subsidies will be amended: technology leaders will receive preferential treatment in the distribution of grants and other forms of assistance. The final decision on prioritization will remain with the Deputy Prime Minister.
The authors of the initiative expect the new category to create a unified mechanism for identifying companies with strong technological potential, make government support more targeted, attract private investment, and create conditions for scaling Russian developers into globally competitive technology companies, including so-called unicorns—startups valued at more than $1 billion.
It was previously reported that the Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers of the Eurasian Economic Union had asked the government to remove barriers preventing Russian full-cycle manufacturers of medicines included in the list of strategically important medicinal products from obtaining preferences in public procurement.
Source: GxP News, June 24, 2026.
