The SME Forum

The venture capital market is a dynamic ecosystem influenced by various factors, including investors, entrepreneurs, and the economic environment. In 2022, the Russian venture capital landscape experienced a notable divide, with some participants choosing to exit the market while others remained. This shift has led to significant changes in the composition of participants and the geographical focus of their investments. Currently, the market is undergoing a profound transformation that will play a crucial role in determining Russia's technological sovereignty. How can the Russian venture capital market be enhanced to attract both investors and startups, while aligning with the needs of businesses and the government?

Moderator
Elena Volotovskaya, Vice President for Investments at Softline; Head of Softline Venture Partners

Elena Volotovskaya

Vice President for Investments at Softline; Head of Softline Venture Partners

Panellists
Evgeny Borisov, Co-founder, Partner, Kama Flow
Kirill Varlamov, Head, Internet Initiatives Development Fund (IIDF)
Andrey Krivenko, Founder, VkusVill
Ruslan Sarkisov, General Director, Voskhod Management Company
Vyacheslav Shulenin, General Director, Moscow Center for Healthcare Innovations

Evgeny Borisov

Co-founder, Partner, Kama Flow

Kirill Varlamov

Head, Internet Initiatives Development Fund (IIDF)

Kirill Varlamov is a head of Internet Initiatives Development Fund (IIDF), created by the current President of Russia, Vladimir Putin. IIDF was established in March 2013. IIDF main goals are financial and consulting support of internet projects at all stages of development, searching and selecting startups and growing them to a highly valuable business.
Kirill is also a CEO at Naumen, company cofounded with Аleksandr Davydov in 2001. Naumen is one of the leading companies in software development in Russia.
Born in 1974 in a city of Sverdlovsk, Kirill graduated Ural State Technical University in 1996, attended classes at Bradley University, Peoria, IL. In 2012 Kirill graduated Moscow management school Skolkovo as Executive MBA. In November 2012 Kirill became a winner at national finals of Ernst & Young “Entrepreneur Of The Year” in IT section. That contest is being held for 27 years in 140 cities of 50 countries around the world.

Andrey Krivenko

Founder, VkusVill

Ruslan Sarkisov

General Director, Voskhod Management Company

Starting from December 2021, Mr. Sarkisov has been heading the Voskhod Venture Fund (Interros Group).

In 2018ؘ—2021 — Head of the Far East High Technologies Fund.

2014-2018 Ruslan was Deputy to CEO at the Far East Developpment Fund responsible for launching Far East High Technologies Fund and projects in logistics, housing and Utility Infrastructure and manufacturing industry.
2011-2013 Ruslan was Senior Vice-President at the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) where participated in the implementation of investment projects in the telecommunications and commodities sectors as well as in the creation of the Russian-Chinese investment fund with a capital of 2 billion dollars.
Since 2002, Ruslan has held various positions in Russian and international companies (Ernst & Young, Basic Element, CentreInvest Capital Partners, Rusnano.
snano.

Vyacheslav Shulenin

General Director, Moscow Center for Healthcare Innovations

Front row participants
Anna Bukhalo, Advisor to the General Director, Management Company RVC
Evgeniy Larionov, Owner, Ex Libris; Co-founder, Experum; Member of the Board of Directors, Dome Foundation

Anna Bukhalo

Advisor to the General Director, Management Company RVC

Evgeniy Larionov

Owner, Ex Libris; Co-founder, Experum; Member of the Board of Directors, Dome Foundation