2017年-世界发展银行全球_Ukraine_Innovation_and_Entrepreneurship_Ecosystem_Diagnostic_60页_1mb

Summary of the Ukraine Innovation and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Diagnosis

Core Content

This report is part of the World Bank's Ukraine Technical Assistance on Innovation Support project, aiming to identify gaps in the innovation ecosystem and propose policy reforms and support instruments to foster innovation and entrepreneurship. The analysis is based on literature, previous studies, and interviews with a wide range of stakeholders, including Ukrainian companies, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, public institutions, and international organizations.

Main Purpose and Scope

The report's main purpose is to provide a comprehensive diagnostic of the innovation and entrepreneurship (I&E) ecosystem in Ukraine. It evaluates the environment for three types of companies:

• Existing Ukrainian companies
• New entrepreneurial companies
• Foreign companies making innovation-related investments in Ukraine

The study does not focus on specific regional or industrial sectors, but rather on the overall ecosystem that supports or hinders innovation.

Key Findings

Innovation Potential

Ukraine has significant potential to develop an innovation-based economy, driven by its talent pool, strong IT industry, and a large diaspora. However, this potential is not yet fully realized due to systemic and structural challenges.

Innovation Ecosystem for Existing Companies

• Innovation levels are low, with only 17% of Ukrainian companies being innovative compared to 49% in the EU.
• Most innovation is new to the firm, typically through equipment purchases, rather than new to the world or new to the market.
• R&D and innovation have declined due to the shift of trade from CIS countries to the EU, leading to a focus on commodity-based industries.
• SMEs face major challenges, including lack of skills, knowledge, and financing, and are poorly integrated into international value chains.
• State institutions perform poorly, with issues such as conflicting regulations, slow approvals, and poor infrastructure, which hinder innovation and competitiveness.

Ecosystem for Entrepreneurial Companies

• Entrepreneurship faces challenges, including corruption, outdated regulations, and weak IP and insolvency laws.
• There is a small but promising group of entrepreneurial companies operating in international markets, supported by informal mentoring networks and the diaspora.
• VC funding is limited for firms focused on the Ukrainian market, with investors preferring companies based abroad.
• Cultural support for entrepreneurship is lacking, resulting in few role models and limited success stories.

Innovation Ecosystem for Multinational Companies

• FDI is critical for bringing in technology and capital, but it is low and has declined due to political instability and corruption.
• Most FDI is in low-innovation sectors like machine building, metals, and food processing.
• IT is an exception, with several international firms establishing technology centers in Ukraine.
• Ukraine's talent and cost advantages could attract more FDI if investment barriers are reduced.

Cross-Cutting Themes

Leadership, Governance, and Policy

• Corruption, outdated regulations, and weak state institutions are major barriers to innovation.
• Innovation policies are poorly coordinated and underfunded, with minimal collaboration between relevant ministries.
• Reforms are needed in governance, judiciary, regulations, and institutional capacity to improve the business climate and support innovation.

Access to Knowledge and Technology

• S&T institutions have weakened since independence, with poor funding and outdated structures.
• Research is not aligned with the needs of the current economy, and universities are disconnected from industry.
• IP protection and technology transfer mechanisms are weak, limiting the commercialization of research.

Finance

• Access to finance is a major barrier for SMEs, with limited debt financing and high interest rates.
• Equity financing is limited due to weak institutions and rule of law.
• Private equity and venture capital exist but are not widely accessible to Ukrainian firms.
• Capital mobility suggests that perceived political instability and corruption are key factors affecting investment in innovation.

Human Capital

• Ukraine's education system has strengths in math and science but lacks alignment with current industry needs.
• Universities are not flexible or adaptive, especially in fast-moving sectors like IT.
• Brain drain is a concern due to lack of job opportunities and perceived government inefficiency.

Supports and Infrastructure

• Transportation infrastructure is weak, hindering integration into international supply chains.
• ICT infrastructure is adequate in major cities, supporting the IT outsourcing industry.
• Research infrastructure has declined, and innovation support systems such as S&T parks and incubators are underdeveloped.

Recommendations

Long-Term Reforms

1. Establish an Innovation Agency to coordinate and advocate for innovation-related policies.
2. Implement broad governance reforms, including anti-corruption measures, judicial improvements, and regulatory updates.
3. Reform industrial structure, strengthen competition policy, and support SMEs and technology-based industries.
4. Reform public research institutes and universities, aligning them with current economic needs and improving their engagement with industry.

Short-Term Interventions

1. Scale up working programs, such as the Science Park and entrepreneurship initiatives at Kyiv Polytechnic Institute.
2. Expand entrepreneurship support, including training, seed funding, mentoring, and business plan competitions.
3. Improve coordination among government ministries and stakeholders to remove innovation barriers.
4. Ensure industry input in policy reforms to align them with innovation and competitiveness goals.

Conclusion

The report highlights the need for systemic and structural reforms to develop a robust innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem in Ukraine. It serves as a foundation for policy recommendations aimed at improving the business environment, enhancing access to knowledge and finance, and fostering a culture of innovation and competitiveness.