AI Accelerator for Government Sector: Rostelecom and HSE Partner to Support AI Startups

At the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum 2026 (SPIEF), Rostelecom and the Higher School of Economics (HSE University) signed a cooperation agreement to jointly run an AI accelerator for the government sector. The partnership brings together the technological expertise of Russia’s leading digital infrastructure provider and the academic potential of one of the country’s top research universities.

AI Accelerator for Government: How the Program Will Work

The first phase of the accelerator will be a large-scale study of the digital maturity of Russian regions. The analysis will identify the real technology needs of government bodies in the field of artificial intelligence and define the key requirements for its adoption.

Based on the findings, a dedicated educational program will be launched. It will help AI startups participating in the accelerator adapt their products to the specific demands of the public sector, taking into account organizational and regulatory constraints as well as requirements for security and scalability.

Support for AI Startup Acceleration Teams

Teams selected for the AI accelerator will receive expert support from Rostelecom and HSE University specialists, along with professional guidance throughout the practical implementation of their solutions in the regions.

How to Apply to the Government AI Accelerator

Applications for the program are open until June 30. Submissions are accepted on the Rostelecom X.Technologies website.

More details about the agreement are available on the Rostelecom corporate portal.