Leading startups in Russia 2024, by SR score

MyBook was the leading Russian startup with a score of over 80,000 points as of August 2024. It was followed by PSprices, whose score was measured at approximately 76,700 points. SR score measurements are based primarily on SEO and social media factors. 

Telegram

Now one of the leading messengers worldwide, Telegram was founded as a Russian startup. Created by the founders of the social network VK and currently located in Dubai, instant-messaging software Telegram has been operating in Russia since 2013. The app prides itself on its use of cloud technologies and encryption methods. Since its launch, the messenger in question has increased its audience to 400 million active users worldwide. In January 2021, Telegram was the most popular communication application in the Google Play Store by the number of downloads, followed by its main competitor WhatsApp. The app also remains popular in Russia, despite previously having been banned in the country.

Startup market in Russia

The establishment of Moscow as a major startup hub in Russia began over a decade ago with the foundation of the Skolkovo Innovation Center in the capital city. Thus, to date, Moscow is home to most startup companies in the country. Startups with the focus on developing products and services in the IT sector occupied more than one quarter of the market, although other industries, such as education, medicine, and robotics, were nearly as attractive for new businesses. Even though Russian startups attract foreign investments and enter international markets actively, most of the companies remain exclusively active in the domestic market.