«Innovative lift» as an instrument for stimulating new activities in the small business of the Donbas

In the article, the state and dynamics of the Donbas` industrial development were analyzed. It was concluded if current trends continue the inefficient region` production structure would be frozen. Foreign trade in goods of the Donbas, its dynamics and structure were investigated. It was determined that in the structure of exports are still dominated raw commodities and products with low-value addition. It was substantiated that in an environment with weak capacity for commercialization of the outputs of research and development that characterize the region, the state needs to be given careful thought the sequence of implement measures for promoting innovation, using different tools at each stage of innovation chain. It was suggested to implement the system of the «innovative lift» in the region with such components – business studios, business incubators, science parks, industrial parks and European technology parks – as an instrument for stimulating of the small innovative businesses, new activities and economic sectors in the Donbas. These will enable to increase the flow of highquality innovative projects, ready for investing by providing access to resources and the competencies, to improve the quality of education, to develop entrepreneurial and innovation culture in the region, and ultimately to create the holistic regional innovation system.