Two thousands finalists of the main stage of the contest “Captains – my first business” took part in 32 educational business camps, which were being held in 28 regions of Russia from 7 to 10 of December, 2017 in the format of an exciting business game. The competition is held in the framework of an open platform “Russia is a country of opportunities”. The organizers are the Charitable Foundation for the Support of Educational Programs “Captains” and the Faculty of Business of the Russian Economic University named after G.V. Plekhanov. The contest is aimed at developing the intellectual and creative abilities of schoolchildren and youth entrepreneurship in the country. The three-day camp program provided training in project approach and entrepreneurship skills and the selection of business projects with its subsequent implementation in conjunction with students and graduates of the Faculty of Business “Captains”. The participants of the camps were welcomed by governors, ministers, representatives of business structures and development institutions. Thus, in the Novgorod region, Governor Andrey Nikitin shared his experience in developing ideas. The governor of the Saratov region Valery Radaev noted that: “It is for these guys the future. You are brave, erudite and you have a good future. And we will support you”. Representatives of the Foundation for the Assistance of Innovation addressed the participants with a presentation of the Fund’s main capabilities in 24 regions. In addition, the representatives of the regional CYICs spoke before the youth and invited the children to their sites for finalizing the projects.
General Director of the Foundation for the Assistance of Innovation Sergey Polyakov took part in the educational camp in Kazan as a speaker. He noted that: “There are no losers in the contest. All without exception received for these three days invaluable experience that will help in the implementation of their own ideas, and the contest “Captains - my first business” gives young and promising managers a chance to prove themselves”. 60 schoolchildren of the 10th and 11th grades took part in the Kazan camp, 23 of which represent the Republic of Tatarstan, and all the rest are the nearest republics - Mari El, Chuvashia and Udmurtia.
