Like other Russian majors, Yandex is demonstrating its commitment to combat Covid-19 through a series of initiatives. The latest one is Yandex.School, a free online education platform which the search giant created “in record time” using its existing educational programs. Launched on March 31, Yandex.School helps teachers, students and parents “retain a sense of normalcy …
Yandex launches covid home testing and online school Read More
Residents of Rostov-on-Don held a virtual rally against self-isolation restrictions on April 20, using the “Conversations” tool on the mobile apps Yandex.Maps and Yandex.Navigator. During the virtual rally, locals dropped pins near the regional government building and wrote messages about the impact of self-isolation orders, ranging from lost jobs to ineligibility for social assistance. In general, participants demanded one of …
Virtual anti-lockdown protests mount in several Russian cities Read More
The Retail Innovation Tech Alliance (RITA), an international startup scouting initiative launched by major Russian retailers, has just launched its first call for startups. RITA is seeking innovative solutions in a variety of fields, including e-commerce, transport and logistics, quality of goods, point-of-sale operations, back office automation, CRM, marketing, home mobile entertainment, automated interior design …
Top Russian retailers call startups from across the world to share their innovations Read More
Crunchbase and East-West Digital News are teaming up to cover key tech and venture trends from Russia and neighboring countries in Eastern Europe. Since last year, EWDN chief editor Adrien Henni has offered a regular column to highlight the most notable industry facts and trends as well as promising tech innovations from these countries. Covering the first quarter …
Promobot, a successful Russian robotics startup, has secured 200 million rubles (approximately $2.7 million) from the Far-East High Technology Fund as it intends to open a branch in this far-flung Russian region. This local branch will develop sophisticated artificial skin and hair to enhance the look of these robots. The fresh funding will also help …
Robot maker Promobot raises $2.7 million to develop artificial skin in Russian Far East Read More
Last week Sberbank, the Russian financial and tech behemoth, announced it created a disinfection robot “in the shortest time.” It is intended for use in any public place – from hospitals, to schools, to offices, to public transport. This robot – which is an adapted version of a delivery robot – can disinfect a room of 20 sq. …
Russian petrochemicals leader Sibur has teamed up with Brochesia, an Italian provider of software solutions for wearable devices, to support its network digitalization effort. Brochesia’s smart glasses and augmented reality solutions will help the Russian group enhance several production processes, including maintenance and support services, using AR and developing remote assistance procedures. The adoption of these solutions …
Russian state defense conglomerate Rostec has begun the pilot production of a new antivirus suit that aims to protect from any biological threats. The 500-gram costume is made from durable, membranous material and covers the body from head to toe. The suit can additionally be supplemented with gloves and a respirator. According to the company’s official website, …
Russian defense firm develops a new antivirus suit Read More
DSight, a business intelligence agency focusing on the Russian venture market, has just released the English version of its latest yearly report. Russian venture investments amounted to at least $868 million in 2019 (excluding exits), up 13% year-on-year, says the report. Although this performance remains very modest by international comparison (USA: $136 billion, UK: $14.3 billion, Germany: $6.6 billion), it …
Russian venture market reached record $868 million in 2019 Read More
The European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has provided finances to a Russian company for the first time in more than five years under its emergency coronavirus support fund. The EBRD stopped making active investments in the country in 2014, following Western sanctions stemming from the events in Ukraine and Crimea. The group has also wound …
EBRD provides rescue financing to Travelata and other Russian portfolio companies Read More
Russian retailers have been rocked for the past six weeks as epidemic fears were mounting among the population. Even before the shutdown of many offline outlets – which was ordered in Moscow city on March 31 – online demand surged across a host of products. Conservation-type food products became in strong demand in late February, with market leader Utkonos reporting a 60% sales spike in comparison with the same …
How COVID-19 is shaking Russia’s online and offline retail Read More
Last week, just days after Elementaree.ru secured a $5 million round of funding, Mail.ru Group and Sberbank announced plans to acquire another Russian food delivery startup called Samokat. The tech group and the financial giant – which are both listed on Western exchanges – are committed to acquire 75.6% of the service, according to corporate statements cited …
Mail.Ru and Sberbank to acquire food delivery service Samokat Read More
