Rules for identifying small technology companies have been developed

The Ministry of Economy has developed a procedure for classifying enterprises as small technology companies (STC). Organizations with revenues of up to 4 billion rubles and operating under more than 60 economic activity codes will be able to apply for this status. Technology companies that received financial support from the state after June 30, 2022 will receive the new status automatically. All MTCs will be entered into a special register, which will allow the state to formulate targeted support measures for them.

The Ministry of Economy has prepared a draft government resolution regulating the procedure for classifying technology companies as MTC. The document (available to Kommersant) was developed in accordance with the recently adopted law on the development of technology companies. Companies with revenues of up to 4 billion rubles and operating in more than 60 types of economic activity (OKVED) will be able to submit an application for an examination to be classified as MTK.

The document defines several types of MTC depending on the volume of revenue, including the main type of economic activity, for the previous calendar year: startups (technology companies with revenue of no more than 0.3 billion rubles), early-stage companies (from 0.3 billion up to 2 billion rubles), mature companies (from 2 billion to 4 billion rubles).

The companies will be assessed by special centers of expertise – the Fund for Assistance to the Development of Small Enterprises in the Scientific and Technical Sphere, the Development Fund of the Center for the Development and Commercialization of New Technologies, the ANO Center for Support of Engineering and Innovation, and the ANO Platform for National Technology Initiative. They will check the infrastructure, the availability of rights to the results of intellectual activity, experience in developing products using innovative technologies, the level of qualifications of specialists, the presence of demand for products and competitive advantage.

At the same time, as company revenues grow, the requirements for scientific and technical potential and the availability of opportunities for the use of innovative technologies increase.

It is expected that the examination will be carried out on a paid basis.

In accordance with the project, centers of expertise will conduct monitoring of MTK at least once a year, checking information on the volume of revenue and the main type of activity of such companies. Companies that received financial support from the state after June 30, 2022 (organizations from the existing Unified Register of final recipients of state support for innovation activities) are automatically recognized by the Ministry of Transport and Communications.

All MTCs will be entered into a special register based on the GIS “Economy”, which is currently under development. This platform will bring together investors and startups. Companies from the “startup showcase” will be able to apply for targeted government support measures, and the portal will help investors select an investment property (see “Kommersant” dated July 21).

The authorities expect that MTC will be a driver in achieving technological sovereignty.

Already now, these companies can apply for a preferential industrial mortgage at 3% and a preferential loan for investment and working purposes (also at 3%) without additional examination for the degree of innovation. “The possibility of introducing a special tax regime and a special regime for purchasing products from such companies is being considered,” the Ministry of Economy told Kommersant.

Venera Petrova