Small Innovative Business in Science Cities: Main Problems and Development Prospects

In the course of the study, the authors indicated an increase in the importance of creating innovations by small enterprises, taking into account their ability to adapt quickly, flexibility, and mobility in comparison with large business. Modern forms of small innovative business are start-ups and engineering small business. It is noted that innovative activity in Russia is characterized by weak indicators, and therefore, it is small business in science cities that can become an activator of this activity. The global epidemic had an extremely negative impact on the state of small innovative business CoVid-19. During its period, there was a sharp drop in demand and a decrease in the number of enterprises. The authors have identified a list of measures to support small businesses during quarantine measures, but small businesses need additional sources of development. Statistical reporting made it possible to assess the share of small innovative business in the Central Federal District of the country, the costs of enterprises for innovative activities. Municipal statistics are presented on the example of the science city of Korolev in the form of an analysis of the dynamics of the number of small enterprises and their turnover. It was noted that until the end of 2019, the number of operating small enterprises remained at approximately the same level, but since the beginning of 2020, there has been a decrease. Based on the analysis, the authors were able to identify the main problems of the development of innovative activities of small businesses in science cities, taking into account the current situation and determine the promising areas of modern business after the end of quarantine restrictions. One of the ways to solve the problem of enhancing innovation activity, the authors propose a project of cluster interaction of small innovative enterprises with city-forming corporations and scientific organizations. Keywords—development, innovation, science cities, small innovative business