Young business innovators, age 35 and under, opt for ventures in sectors like education, recreation, arts, sports, and entertainment
Demographics of Young Entrepreneurs in RussiaJune 27, 2025, 4:01 PM
Modern Business Breaking down the landscape of young business owners in Russia, SberAnalytics unveils the flourishing generation of entrepreneurs under age 35.
In Russia's entrepreneurial ecosystem, the youth glimmers vibrantly, taking up a substantial share of active individual entrepreneurs (IP). Cutting-edge sectors like education, recreation, culture, sports, and entertainment grab the most interest from this eager generation, with 26% of individual entrepreneurs under 35 venturing into these fields, as revealed by SberAnalytics' experts. Trailblazing industries such as information services, hospitality, catering, and trade follow closely.
The North Caucasus and Siberia exhibit the highest percentage of young IPs (38% in Chechnya, 32% in Ingushetia, Tuva, and Dagestan, respectively). The capitals, Moscow (28%), Tatarstan, North Ossetia-Alania (27% each), and St. Petersburg (26%), make up the top regional spots. A trending presence of 57% young males dominates the entrepreneurial domain.
Digital prowess characterizes this trendsetting demographic, as 94% employ digital tools to promote their business, and 58% utilize AI for ad creation, SberMarketing data reveals. Yet, despite digitalization, 83% of entrepreneurs persist in using offline tools, such as event participation, flyer distribution, and outdoor advertising. It's interesting to note that 74% are eager learners, dedicating an hour or more weekly to embracing novel digital tools.
SberMarketing analysts shed light on the preferred topics for learning: mastering effective advertising channels (49%), investigating creative cases (33%), and absorbing large business experiences (33%). The SberAnalytics study stems from aggregated and anonymized data from early 2025 using the "Regional Economy Monitoring" panel.
NoteSberAnalytics' studies resemble a kaleidoscope, reflecting the needs and preferences of 111 million consumers and 7 million legal entities, backed by over 70 internal and external sources. This multifaceted approach enables comprehensive analysis of various markets, considering their industrial and regional nuances.
Implications and Insights
The distribution of young entrepreneurs in Russia reveals a distinct pattern, favoring urban regions and particular business sectors.
- Booming industries for budding young entrepreneurs in Russia incorporate retail, transportation, wholesale, construction, catering, services, automotive repair, and IT, with software and IT holding a significant place in the top 10[1].
- The largest number of new companies were registered in Moscow, Moscow Region, Krasnodar Territory, St. Petersburg, Rostov, Sverdlovsk region, and the Republic of Bashkortostan, with the Moscow Region displaying the sharpest increase in new business registrations (+26%)[1].
- Buryatia showcases the highest rate of female entrepreneurs (55%)[1].
- Around 44% of new company registrations in 2023 belong to entrepreneurs under 35, with 15% aged 18-25 and 3.5% aged 18-19[1].
- budding entrepreneurs find a broader market reach through online marketplaces, surpassing local boundaries[1].
- Support for emerging Russian brands manifests in initiatives, including contests like "Rising Russian Brands," suggesting encouragement and marketing resources that likely encompass digital marketing efforts[1].
- Young entrepreneurs receive mentorship in areas like business legality and marketing, hinting at a combination of traditional and digital marketing methods[2].
- Leveraging platforms like social media, online advertising, e-commerce, and digital marketplaces, young entrepreneurs look to a blend of technology and offline methodologies for promotions[1][2].
In the dynamic landscape of young entrepreneurs in Russia, the small-business sector is popular among the youth, with a substantial number of them (44%) participating as individual entrepreneurs (IP). Particularly, they are drawn to industries like retail, transportation, software, and IT, among others. The capital city, Moscow, leads the way in new business registrations, especially in sectors like retail, IT, and automotive repair.
