“In Russia, we have cutting-edge technology, especially in Tech, both giants and startups”

Digital century: Can Russia, best known for its hydrocarbons industry, excel in the ecosystem of new technologies and in digital?

Sevak Mkrtchyan : Yes of course. At Michelle Robotics, we make robots. Besides, there are many Russian companies specializing in information technologies, known all over the world, such as Yandex or Kaspersky.

Denis Kirikov : Absoutely ! There are two major drivers for the development of new types of equipment and transportation, including driverless cars: the use of hydrogen as a fuel and the large-scale use of electric motors. Russia’s expertise and experience in these areas are well established and are among the most significant in the world.

Denis Miganov : Russia has enormous potential, human and technological, as well as scientific institutions and many companies that are carrying these changes. Russia should soon stand out for its technological ecosystem, as the responsibility for a better ecology and a better living environment continues to grow.

Stanislav Karasev : We have leading technology companies, especially in the field of Tech, both giants and startups. In certain sectors, such as Fintech, the Food Delivery sector or AdTech, Russian startups are at the forefront. At First Data, we focus on AdTech and Martech which are purchase-based technologies. Powerful algorithms allow us to achieve our clients’ goals, measure campaign results and increase the effectiveness of our marketing.

Digital century: Emmanuel Macron and Vladimir Poutine launched the Trianon Dialogue in 2017 to strengthen exchanges, and in particular commercial opportunities, between the French and Russian populations. What do you think of this dialogue?

Sevak Mkrtchyan : Any dialogue is better than no dialogue. Companies should try to operate apolitically. There are many powerful French companies operating in Russia: we work with some of them and we have no political differences.

Stanislav Karasev : It’s a good way to build a quality relationship between France and Russia, especially at a time of a global pandemic and political tensions. It is a format that bypasses certain official positions as well as government bureaucracy.

Denis Miganov : This dialogue has become a fruitful platform for international discussions. This is a brilliant initiative that bridges the gaps between our cultures and creates the basis for joint projects, especially in the industrial and technological sectors of the economy. One of the topics on the agenda is the area of ​​sustainable industry.

Denis Kirikov : The Dialogue du Trianon has organized and sponsored more than 100 Franco-Russian projects. Tech communities express strong interest in bilateral cooperation. The new edition of Trianon Startups, which will take place in Moscow in the spring of 2022, and its second regional edition in France will certainly contribute to this.

Siècle digital: You went to the Palace of Versailles for the 3rd edition of Trianon Startups to meet major French groups. Can you tell us more?

Stanislav Karasev : The Trianon Startups event at the Palace of Versailles was very useful for our company. As a company specialized in AdTech, Martech and data projects, we discovered a landscape of the French market which helped us to clarify our strategy for entering the European market. We also communicated with Orange and Auchan.

Denis Kirikov : The 3rd edition of Trianon Startups was one of the first face-to-face events in France after the lifting of health restrictions, providing opportunities for Russian and French entrepreneurs to meet for the first time in almost two years. If online communication tools allow you to stay in touch, real partnerships are established during face-to-face communication.

Denis Miganov : The trip was perfectly organized by the French side, a big thank you to Euryale Chatelard, the president of Trianon Startups. We had the ideal place to meet and present our startups and our technologies to large French companies. We had meetings with senior executives of these companies: the vice-presidents of Total, Auchan or Air France. This is hardly possible in normal life.

Sevak Mkrtchyan : Our company manufactures robots for stock counting and we work with Decathlon SA. This meeting was very useful for us. We would like to continue the discussion we have started with Auchan and Total in Russia.

Siècle digital: What are the opportunities offered by this type of event in the digital or data field?

Stanislav Karasev : This type of event lowers the barriers between markets and allows French and Russian companies to discuss business opportunities quickly and efficiently. This is even more important for startups that don’t have a lot of resources to devote to market research. Our company, First Data, is young and the European market is new to us. We have a better understanding of how our technology can enable our European customers to communicate with their audience using purchase-based data.

Denis Kirikov : Trianon Startups allows direct contacts between large companies and startups, without any mediator. For businesses, it’s about meeting talented entrepreneurs with unique technologies and being the first to spot them. For startups, it is an opportunity to find investors and penetrate international markets.

Denis Miganov : This offers a great opportunity to meet both in Russia and in France. No matter what you are – a small start-up or a large corporation – this event will allow you to meet personally and individually the company you need.

Siècle digital: What advice would you give to French entrepreneurs who would like to start their own business or do business in Russia?

Denis Kirikov : Visiting the MGIMO business school is the first step to being introduced to the business environment and the different sectors of the economy. Experts will help you understand both the specifics of internal standards and conduct an in-depth industry study.

Denis Miganov : The first piece of advice is to come to Russia, talk to potential resellers of your product, talk to potential customers to understand how to adapt to the market. We have many French companies operating in Russia (Orange, Auchan, Total, etc.) as well as small and medium-sized startups, such as Sigfox.

Stanislav Karasev : Real business and investment opportunities in Russia are very promising and the Russian market is very rich in terms of innovations. The most appropriate way to start selling products or services in Russia is through a partnership with existing Russian players. This allows foreign companies to easily access customers and level the cultural difference.

Michelle Robotics : Indeed, it is ideally necessary to find a local partner.

Siècle digital: Is there aid in France to help Russian startups set up in France? Is there an ecosystem of Russian companies specializing in Tech in France, a bit like French Tech in Russia?

Michelle Robotics : there is support for obtaining long-term visas, facilitation to enter acceleration hubs and investments in the start-up phase.

Denis Kirikov : I cannot comment on the availability of assistance in the commercial development of my project in France, but I can confidently say that EdTech projects in France are open and friendly.

Stanislav Karasev : I don’t know any player in this ecosystem, but I will participate if it is built by companies or the government. I think the Russian research and development center Skolkovo Innovation Center has a strong relationship with French companies, like Orange, so it could be built on that.

Denis Miganov : We visited acceleration hubs in France that help Russian startups grow faster in the region, and not just in France. France is a good place to do business in the European Union. We see many successful examples of Russian companies in France.