170+ student startups compete for 1M-ruble grants in Sverdlovsk innovation race

Over 170 innovative projects from students across the Sverdlovsk region have been entered into the Student Startup competition. The event supports Russia's federal Technologies project, targeting seven key areas of scientific and technological progress. Each winning team stands to receive a grant of 1 million rubles to develop their ideas further. The Ural Federal University (UrFU) leads the competition with more than 130 submissions—double the number from last year. Many of these proposals have already gained official recognition as know-how, adding to the university's intellectual property portfolio. Students from the Ural State Agrarian University and the Ural State Medical University have also joined the contest.

The projects cover a broad range of fields. These include advanced fire suppression systems, unmanned vehicle technology, and AI applications for industry and social services. Other entries feature digital assistants to monitor children's speech development, tools for diagnosing animal diseases, and AI-driven software for designing casting molds and manufacturing parts. The Institute of Physics and Technology, the Institute of Economics and Management, and the Institute of Radio Electronics and Information Technologies (IREIT-RTF) have contributed the most submissions. Semifinalists will soon present their work to a jury, which will then select the finalists for the 1 million-ruble grants.

The competition highlights growing student engagement in applied research and technological innovation. With grants awarded to the best projects, the initiative aims to accelerate the development of practical solutions in key scientific areas. Winners will use the funding to refine and implement their ideas.