One year after Russian authorities decided to block it, the instant messenger Telegram continues to be widely accessible from Russia. Almost half of Telegram users in Russia do need to use VPNs to access the service, according to Telegram Analytics; but the number of daily users of the service in Russia grew from 3.7 million …
One year after ban, Telegram still accessible from Russia with growing audience Read More
Each year specialized research agency Data Insight releases its ranking of Russian e-commerce sites. Sites are ranked by sales volume (incl. VAT), number of orders and average order value as estimated by the research agency and, in certain cases, confirmed by the companies. (The ranking excludes foreign players, which explains why AliExpress is not mentioned.) …
British digital bank Revolut is at risk of losing its European banking licences amid fresh questions over its alleged links to the Kremlin. The company, one of Europe’s fastest growing fintechs, was granted its European licences through the Bank of Lithuania in December. The move was designed to help the nation challenge the UK as Europe’s financial technology …
International investors active in Southeast Europe (SEE) will have an opportunity to meet top tech companies from the region through the South East Europe Tech Tour 2019 (SEETT), which will take place this year in Bucharest (May 28) and Sofia (May 29). The main goal of SEETT 2019 – organized by Tech Tour with support from international VC fund Almaz …
International venture partner Saul Orbach recently visited GoTech, a major startup event in Moscow. In this interview, Orbach analyzes the challenges faced by startups from emerging markets willing to go global, providing an interesting comparison between Eastern Europe and Latin America. You are a venture partner of Starta Ventures and BrightSky ventures. Starta Ventures works …
On April 11 Skolkovo, the international tech hub on the outskirts of Moscow, hosted the second edition of Corporate Innovations, an international conference focused on best practices in tech development and market launch strategies. The event was attended by more than 500 individuals and 150 companies, with more than 70 speakers delivering keynotes. According to …
Facebook and Twitter have been given nine months by Roskomnadzor, the Russian telecom and Internet regulator, to move Russian users’ data onto servers located physically on Russia soil. As reported yesterday by the Interfax news agency, Roskomnadzor’s head Alexander Zharov expressed “hope” that the two companies will comply with Russian legislation on personal data storage, and …
Facebook and Twitter given nine more months to comply with Russian data-localization law Read More
Last week Russian venture fund Pulsar VC, Russian-Japanese consulting agency SAMI and Japanese firm Skylight Consulting launched the Japanese-Russian Tech Companies and Investors Association to promote cooperation among entrepreneurs and investors from the two countries. The partnership agreement was signed on April 11 at the Russian Venture Forum in Kazan, 800 km east of Moscow, in the presence of …
Russian and Japanese tech players and investors create business association Read More
“Visa announces technical implementation of cash withdrawal services at cash registers at trade and service enterprises in Russia. The service is currently being tested as a pilot in partnership with Russia’s The Parmesan retail chain and the Agricultural Bank,” the company said. The plans for the payment system include making the service available throughout the …
Visa launches cash withdrawal pilot project in Russia Read More
Sberbank, the state-controlled financial giant, intends to acquire a 51% stake in Speech Technology Center (STC) from Gazprombank, a financial arm of the Russian gas company. Digital Horizon, a VC and business incubation firm with offices in Moscow and Tel Aviv, has also agreed to acquire a minority stake in STC. After deal completion in …
Sberbank, Gazprombank and Digital Horizon aim to create “global leader” in biometrics Read More
In a first sign of a milder attitude towards Michal Calvey since his arrest in mid-February, a Moscow court placed him today under house arrest for at least three days. The court’s decision follows a petition submitted by Russia’s Investigative Committee, whose investigators “have determined that Calvey possesses strong social ties in Moscow, has a …
Improvado.io, a US-based marketing solution provider with Russian roots, has secured $5 million from several investors including two Russian funds: Impulse VC, which is reportedly affiliated to Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, and Cabra VC. According to the business daily Vedomosti, which reported the news earlier this week, this capital injection comes as the second part …
Marketing solution startup secures $8 million from US and Russian investors Read More
