The Business Worth the Million project ended at the My Business Centre in Novgorod. After two months on the accelerator, the four finalists presented their business ideas to the judges. Following the presentations, Kristina Sharova won the prize. She is developing a brand of designer accoutrements and accessories for pets.
Kristina explained that the products are currently made in China, but she would like to move production to Veliky Novgorod. Her products are available on the markets of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, as well as on the e-markets. Kristina also had the idea of installing a metal box with hygiene bags in the regional centre to collect and dispose of dog waste in public areas. The project’s main prize of 1 million roubles will enable her to realise her plans.
“I’d like to thank the experts for giving my project such a high rating, and my loved ones for supporting me. I will do my best to invest this million in the right way to make the lives of the pets more comfortable, to empower us, pet owners, to promote a culture of dog walking,” Kristina shared.
The judges also noted that all the shortlisted projects were of high-quality and promising.
“Each project is highly sophisticated. Thank you for participating in the contest. Participation is always exciting. That’s why you all are winners,” Yevgeny Bogdanov, Chairman of the Jury, First Deputy Governor of the Novgorod region, said to the finalists.
It’s worth noting that all the shortlisted businesses are creative. For example, Darya Guzeyeva will open a children’s programming school in Borovichi early next year. The financial model of her existing business in Veliky Novgorod is the basis for the idea. The young woman is confident that she can help students get into the best universities in the country to study IT.
Kseniya Ikrennikova sets up a platform for career guidance for creative young people. She has a university degree in teaching. Kseniya’s aim is that the children she teaches can fulfil themselves through art and creativity.
Aleksandr Minin is the owner of an electric guitar repair and production workshop. He is looking to expand the business as the number of orders increases. He has customers not only in Russia, but also in America. Aleksandr is keen to develop exports to Asia and Europe.
We would like to remind you that Business Worth the Million is a business idea competition for aspiring and budding entrepreneurs. It attracted over 200 applicants from across the region. 70 projects were selected for participation by the experts. Following the results of the intensives, 20 people entered the accelerator phase and 4 entered the final phase after preliminary defending their business projects. Yevgeny Demin, CEO of SPLAT Global, acted as the business angel of the project.
“Big business does not start with a million roubles, but with a big dream and a belief in yourself. So an entrepreneur’s path is a hero’s path. Thinking big, bringing an extraordinary idea to market, building a team and launching a cool product that changes people’s lives for the better takes a brave, smart and energetic leader. This all requires confidence and powerful nature,” Yevgeny Demin emphasised in his video message.
In addition to Yevgeny Bogdanov, the jury for the project included Irina Chadina, Chairwoman of the Novgorod Region Youth Policy Committee, Aleksandr Rogozin, CEO of the Organic Pharmaceuticals Factory, Roman Vlasov, CEO of Eldis JSC, and Yekaterina Voronkova, an entrepreneur.
The Business Worth the Million project was implemented within the framework of the Region for Young People integrated youth policy development programme of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs, the Education and Small and Medium Entrepreneurship national projects.
06 декабря 2023 12:49:00
