On November 23, 2021, Felix Blinov, CEO of RWM Capital Investment Group, took part in the expert discussion on the key issues of the Innovative Education Environment Project, organized within the strategy session "The Image of the Future Campus. Team Building".
During the discussion the invited experts discussed the creation of modern student campuses in Russia. During the discussion Felix Blinov shared the experience of RWM Capital Group in the construction and operation of the student campus in Spain, as well as his vision for the possibility of implementing similar projects in Russia.
In particular, he noted that in case of a concession agreement, the development of project documentation for the facility should be carried out by the concessionaire or the investor, which the region considers to be the most likely partner, with the subsequent inclusion of these costs in the concession agreement. In case of preparing of the project documentation by the region itself, there is a high probability of revision or even complete redesign of the project by the investor. As a result, the funds for these works would double.
In addition, in case private capital is involved in the implementation of the project, the beneficiaries of the project become the consumers of the provided service. The investor develops the project taking into account further effective operation of the campus, optimization of capital inputs and operating costs within the life of the project, existing market trends and the needs of the target audience, based on market research, as he is interested in the payback of the project and return on the investment made. The result of this work will be a facility that meets modern trends and the needs of the region residents.
The speaker also noted the need for future project zoning in terms of feasibility of attracting funds from private investors. Therefore, in accordance with international practice, research laboratories are often created within campuses at the expense of patrons (companies or individuals) who are interested in developing new technological fields and conducting relevant research.
Finding a private investor equally interested in investments in real estate (campus construction) and investments in venture technologies and startups, which such laboratories actually are, is quite problematic. It is reasonable to attract private investment capital for the construction and operation of student housing and recreation facilities, as this field provides commercial opportunities.
