Founders with Russian roots in 2025 attracted just over $3 billion of foreign investment in their projects, which is comparable to the result of 2024. This means that the crisis of 2022-2023, when foreign investors turned away from Russian startups after the outbreak of hostilities in Ukraine, has been overcome. In 2026, Russian founders will have to deal with new serious problems, including tougher US immigration policy and Russia's inclusion in the EU's money laundering blacklist. How will this affect their business?

Startups with Russian roots attracted more than $3 billion in foreign investment in 2025. What awaits them in 2026? 

Nu Holdings Ltd.

Two fintech companies founded by Russian natives have become direct competitors in the Mexican banking market. They are Nikolay Storonsky's Revolut neobank and Plata Card, a startup by former top managers of Tinkoff Bank with investments from the bank's founder Oleg Tinkov and Baring Vostok founder Michael Calvey. Both companies have received full banking licenses from the national regulator, are focused on aggressive growth and are seeking IPOs. What will they fight for and what challenges might they face in Mexico?

Battle for Eldorado: what will Plata and Revolut fight for in Mexico?

Nebius Group N.V.

For startups with Russian roots, the first two years after the outbreak of hostilities in Ukraine were a failure. Now the peak of tension is over, but they are forced to choose a new development strategy. How has the venture capital market changed for projects with Russian founders?

"No Gravity": do Russian roots hinder startups abroad?

Figma

Adobe Inc.

Imagine a movie: a small actor from the California countryside falls asleep on stage in the middle of a Peter Pan play and does a Windows XP commercial. He solves algebraic equations at age six, drops out of an elite university to build a startup, and becomes a billionaire. The final scene is an IPO on a wave of fame and global recognition. This is not a fictional hero. This is Dylan Field, CEO and co-founder of Figma.

From Peter Pan to billionaire CEO: How Dylan Field led Figma to the biggest IPO of the year

Former top managers of Tinkoff raised $200 mln through equity investments and debt instruments, built a bank in the Philippines and within 2 years became one of the five largest retail lenders in this country. In an interview with Oninvest editorial director Elena Tofanyuk, Salmon co-founder Georgy Chesakov described how to launch a neobank where there are no credit histories, scoring and financial literacy.