We are fortunate to be living in this unique and exciting age of global technological revolution. It seems that the world has never undergone such rapid change as now, thanks to innovations which are constantly being introduced into our everyday lives. In fact, technology has become the greatest global resource, more important than any raw material or financial capability. Furthermore, the global technological imbalance between countries presents a greater problem than the economic inequality of the latter part of the 20th century.

Understanding key trends in technology has never been so important, both for individual success and business growth, and for the very future of each and every country. Over the course of just a few years we have seen how the technological revolution has turned the grassroots startups of yesterday into the new leaders of the corporate world, ruthlessly usurping their predecessors. We have also seen how countries considered underperformers just a few decades ago are astutely betting on technology trends and emerging as global leaders, overtaking old elites not only in terms of the pace of economic growth, but also in terms of increasing living standards.

Technological innovations are having a huge effect on all aspects of life, drastically changing how we work, the environment we live in, the health care we have access to, and how we study and relax.

It is for these reasons that we are holding the Open Innovations Forum and Technology Show in Moscow, where participants will have the opportunity to interact with global technology experts, representatives of Russian technology companies, startup communities, scientists and representatives of government and development institutions over the five themed days which make up the conference.

We are holding this event as part of efforts to ensure that Russia becomes a world leader in the technology industry. And that is what we shall achieve, since the technological revolution requires talented people first and foremost, which we have in abundance!

We look forward to seeing you in late October at Open Innovations!