This symposium will bring together guest speakers from Russia and China, Michigan faculty and graduate students to discuss cross-regional and comparative perspectives on innovation and creativity within the specific contexts of government – industry partnerships, political agendas, and cultural settings of Shenzhen in China and Skolkovo in Russia. This symposium is part of the International Institute’s Enterprise Project Fund with the same title, led by Irina Aristarkhova, Silvia Lindtner, and Robert Adams.