Exhaustion of non-renewable mineral resources determines sustainable socio-economic development of resource-based regions. However, mineral resource abundance is an essential competitive advantage that can be used for innovative development of regional economies. At the first stage of creating innovative economy, pilot innovation projects can be implemented in mining industries, and then in manufacturing and service sectors of economy. For this, an effective model of innovative activity in a resource-based region should be developed. In this article we consider the “triple helix” model.

The purpose of this article is to assess the potential for innovative development of a resource-based region through the “triple helix” model. We study Krasnoyarsk Region as a typical resource-based region.

The use of the “triple helix” model results in a change in the roles of actors in innovation process. Universities play a major role and become entrepreneurial universities. The entrepreneurial university aims to create and implement innovations through technology transfer to industry. At the same time, the government becomes an equal partner of innovation process, and a customer for the development of advanced production technologies.

Effective implementation of the “triple helix” model requires quantitative assessment at a regional level. For this, we suggest a system of indicators and methodology for assessing the level of innovative development for a resource-based region. This methodology is our contribution to the theory of innovative development.

The research was carried out with the plan of research work of IEIE SB RAS, project XI.174. 1.1. «Economy of Siberia and its regions with external and internal challenges and threats: methods, trends, forecasts », № АААА-А17-117022250133-9.