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Program 2026
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Conference Evidence-based management
Disruptive Unicorn Lab Summer School
From Idea to Global Product in AI: Selection — Building — Growth
10-19 august / оnline
Submit an application to participate in 2026
Watch the conference recording 2025
about DU Lab
DU LAB
Disruptive Unicorn Lab Summer School
A growth environment for startups: nurturing projects from the idea stage to international market entry
Path to an International Accelerator
Develop and package your project—from idea and market analysis to strategy and a strong application
Learn from international mentors and expand your professional network
Experts from 10+ Countries
International Teams
Collaborate on ideas with participants from different countries and learn how to adapt projects for global markets
Cultural Exchange & Networking
Connect with people from different cultures and become part of an international community
Explore AI ideas with researchers and industry experts, discovering new opportunities for growth
Science & Business
ECTS Credits & ITMO Certificate
Validate your participation with an official certificate and add international experience to your portfolio
10–19 August | Online
Program 2026
DU Lab Summer School
A hands-on online intensive in startup development and building the products of the future. Work in international teams, receive guidance from leading mentors, validate your ideas, and develop your product from the initial concept to submitting an application to a global accelerator
Watch the conference recording 2025
Problem Discovery & Market Research
Identify real user needs, analyze the market, and validate ideas to build solutions that solve real-world problems
Test hypotheses, build your team, define key roles, and take the first steps toward creating a product with global potential
Team Formation & Idea Validation
Opening & Introduction to AI Startups
Kick off the program, connect with the international community, and explore opportunities for AI projects in global markets
August 10 | Day 1
August 11 | Day 2
August 12 | Day 3
Global Ecosystems & Project Growth
Explore international innovation ecosystems, technology transfer, and strategies for scaling AI products
Learn how startups expand globally, identify growth opportunities, and prepare for accelerator programs
Entering International Markets
Building an AI-Powered MVP
Turn your concept into a prototype by developing product logic, creating your first solution, and working with AI technologies
August 13 | Day 4
August 14 | Day 5
August 15 | Day 6
School Finale. International Project Pitch
Present your idea, exchange experiences, and showcase your project to an international audience
Refine your solution, polish your pitch, and receive expert feedback before the final presentation
Final Project Preparation
Science, Technology & Business
Discover emerging approaches in AI, explore cutting-edge technologies, and uncover opportunities for tech-driven ventures
August 17 | Day 7
August 18 | Day 8
August 19 | Day 9
Apply now if you’re ready to create, experiment, and build the next generation of technology solutions!
Apply for the 2026 Program
plan
Individual participation
«Basic»
50 USD
For your first step into the world of AI startups and international entrepreneurship
✓ Access to the educational program

✓ Expert-led lectures

✓ Hands-on workshops

✓ Live Q&A sessions
«Mentoring»
250 USD
For participants who want to develop their ideas with expert guidance
✓ Everything included in the Basic Plan

✓ One-on-one mentoring sessions

✓ Personalized project feedback

✓ Support with hypothesis validation and startup development
«Global Startup Track»
800 USD
A comprehensive support program for taking your project to the international stage
✓ Everything included in the Mentoring Plan

✓ Participation in a two-month professional development program

✓ Ongoing project support from ITMO experts
participation for universities
«University Basic»
500 USD
For student teams that want to complete the program together
✓ Access to the educational program

✓ Expert-led lectures

✓ Hands-on workshops

✓ Live Q&A sessions
«University Mentoring»
2500 USD
For teams seeking expert support to develop their own projects
✓ Everything included in the University Basic plan

✓ One-on-one mentoring sessions

  • ✓ Personalized project feedback
  • ✓ Support with hypothesis validation and startup development
«University Global Track»
4000 USD
A comprehensive program for universities developing technology-driven projects
✓ Everything included in the University Mentoring plan

✓ Participation in a two-month professional development program

  • ✓ Continued project support from ITMO experts
Apply Now
Students
Developers
Researchers
Designers
Founders
Producers
Who can apply

Idea

Prototype

MVP

Prototype

What will you get from DU Lab?

Investments

Pre-Pitch

Team

Global community

organizer
AI Talent Hub — is a coordinator of AI dimension. The largest master's degree programme in artificial intelligence at ITMO University implemented in partnership with Napoleon IT
Main organizer DU Lab Summer School — Center ‍for International Projects and Partnerships FTMI ITMО
Yulia Trabskaya
Head of the Center for International Projects at FTMI ITMO University, PhD, Associate Professor at ITMO University
Director of DU Lab and Science Track Coordinator
First Deputy Dean of FTMI ITMO University
Andrey Starodubtsev
Head of Resources at DU Lab
Andrey Anfinogenov
Dean, Head of the Master's Degree Program, entrepreneur, investor
Anna Kotova
Deputy Dean of FTMI ITMO University for Partner Relations
Ideological Inspirer DU Lab
Coordinator for Partnerships with Russian Partners
Deputy Director of FTMI ITMO for Investments, Investment Director of Kirov Group Ventures and ITMO Startup studio
Elena Morozova
Coordinator for Partnerships with Russian Partners
Diego Arbildo
Curator of the International Partnerships Department at FTMI ITMO University
Head of International Partner Relations at DU Lab
Head of the Marketing Office at FTMI ITMO University
Olga Kokorina
Head of Promotion at DU Lab and Coordinator of the Cultural and Entertainment Program
Anton Potsulin
Head of the Business Department at the Center for International Projects, entrepreneur, lecturer at FTMI ITMO University
Curator of the Center for International Projects at FTMI, ITMO University, Head of the Engineering and Technical Service at Senezh University, founder of the international competition group «Start the Game»
Mariam Karpova
Alexey Lizunov
Assistant to the first vice-rector
Сurator Director, DU Lab Summer School
Coordinator for Partnerships with Russian Partners in the Field of Game Development
Project manager DU Lab
Project Manager at the Center for International Projects at FTMI ITMO University
Yaroslava Masyagin
Lead Organizer of the "Future Talk" foresight session — a telebridge featuring official representatives and experts from Russia and Latin America. Track Coordinator for Global Business at DU Lab School
DU Lab Summer School 2025
August 2026
Format: Online (in English)
Prepare your startup project in GameDev or AI/SaaS in just two weeks under the guidance of top mentors from Russia, China, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Peru, Thailand, and Malaysia
Access to industry experts
A global GameDev and AI/SaaS community
Lectures, practical sessions, workshops, Q&A
DU Lab Summer School Program
How Was Disruptive Unicorn Lab Summer School in 2025?
DU LAB Summer School 2025
statistics for Summer School 2025
  • 1100
    applications
  • 120
    main track participants
  • 80
    participants of the GameDev track
  • 71
    expert & speaker
  • 37
    countries
  • 12
    school days
Speakers of DU Lab Summer School 2025
Serial entrepreneur, mentor, Founder of B5 Research lab, ex-CPO & cofounder of the medtech startup Medixspace B.V.
Sandra Bit-Varda
  • Founded and scaled MedTech startup from concept to €3M funding (EU+USA)
  • Launched world's first AI-enhanced radiology platform – improving workflow of 300 specialists, serving over 12 million patients and significantly impacting the national healthcare system during the pandemic
  • Led international teams of 30+ across Europe, USA, Spain, South Korea, China and Israel in remote-first environment
  • Mentored 20+ startups within acceleration programs
  • Conducted 300+ interviews for product discovery and market validation
A trusted expert on federal business support and development programs. Expert and speaker of the Startup as Diploma programs, HSE, ITMO
Natalya Zinovyeva
TOP 3 tracker in the "Rapid Growth" category. Member of the expert committee of the All-Russian Forum "Strong Ideas for a new age" in the field of technological and digital projects. Expert of 80+ accelerators, mentor of 500+ startups and businesses.
15+ years experience in SpaceTech. AI expert. Co-owner of InfoTouch company at the junction of vending and tourism, a network of vending machines for the sale of audio tours with souvenirs.
Alexander Malinin
Launched first Russian private microsatellite. Held the role of CTO in a startup for "Advertising in space"
Senior Innovation Manager at a Russian venture capital company (RDIF Group).
Mikhail Murzin
Helped 9 Moscow companies enter the markets of the USA, the EU, the Middle East and China. After 3 months of work, 4 companies have already entered MoU with major partners. I have done offline Market Intelligence programs for Avito, Gazprom Neft, Aquarius, and the Ministry of Economic Development in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates. Various tasks were completed: from finding the first partners to meetings with targets and infrastructure for an M&A deal in order to accelerate entry into the local market. He helped Russian companies save up to $10 million a year by searching for and integrating direct technology suppliers from China.

Associate Professor and author of the Technological Entrepreneurship program at NUST MISIS. Candidate of Technical Sciences, expert in the field of renewable energy and robotics. Mentor and tracker of startups and companies. Expert of the Skolkovo Foundation.
Konstantin Pushkin
Winner of the Russian Federation award "Aircraft Manufacturer of the Year 2016" for the best innovative project.
ExCEO&Founder of the Skolkovo startup AL Technologies (electric generators powered by aluminum-air fuel cells).
10+ years of experience in new product development and innovation management.
Ph.D. and engineer with 17+ years of experience in conducting and managing R&D in applied engineering, more than 80 scientific publications.
General Director of the Venture Consulting Group, teaches courses on venture investment and innovative entrepreneurship at the Higher School of Economics, RUDN University, MIPT, SPGMTU and MGIMO, Associate Professor and Ph.D.
Alexander Semenov
  • Over 20 years of experience in venture capital, startups, and innovation ecosystems
  • Participated in more than 20 acceleration programs (many on multiple occasions)
  • Consulted over 500 startup projects, assisting them with financing, strategic development, and implementation of advanced technologies, including AI
  • Experienced in leading and executing projects in IT, AI, and biotech
The tracker and expert of 50 accelerators, tracker of the Skolkovo School of startups, a trusted NTI expert, an expert in the team of organizers of the NTI school of acceleration
Jelena Stukalova
Results X3, X4, X12, in the data-driven approach since 98, the creator of the DPO program for research supervisors in the Startup as a diploma program - about 800 graduates, methodologist and speaker of accelerators of the Financial University
Co-founder of the Stratosphere Business Development Centre, business coach, psychologist, expert in production and team development, author, methodologist and presenter of programs for entrepreneurs and managers
Irina Tolbuzina
Expert in federal business support and development programs, accelerators, mentor of startups; experience in organizing and conducting international training projects in the USA and Australia, university lecturer since 2000 (BSU, RANEPA).
A serial entrepreneur. Tracker of the Skolkovo Startup School and a member of the jury of the main Russian award for effectiveness in marketing Effie Russia
An expert and tracker of more than 10 acceleration programs in Russia and the CIS.
Natalia Tomasheva
In recent years, she has accompanied over 250 startups and companies with a total annual turnover of more than 15 billion rubles. Founder of the FOXMetoD consulting company. Ex is the founder of an IT startup on financial literacy for children.
Vice-Rector for External Relations and Partnership at LGTU, Candidate of Psychological Sciences, trusted expert and NTI tracker, accredited Skolkovo tracker, research supervisor in the startup as a diploma program at MIPT, MIPT SHIR, mentor of the ABT ITMO program, MTK Kidsby tracker - Skolkovo residents
Inara Chilikina
CEO @Softwarelead.me / Venture partner @Insta.vc / Advisor @Orionvc.uk
Vitaly Yanko
Implemented the Go-to-Market strategies of 50+ IT businesses and 30+ organizations in Edtech and HRtech. Made 25+ investments in global technology startups, 3 successful exits in Russia and the EU (educational robotics, distance education, VR/AR technologies in game development).
Senior Data Analyst (Engineer) II at Revolut
Tafida Balarabe
Built regulatory reporting pipelines, fraud detection models, and internal risk analytics tools used in high-stakes environments across global teams.
2026
FTMI ITMO
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