Young industrialists honored as standouts in their field during INNOPROM-2025 annual awards ceremony
The "Young Industrialist" competition, a prestigious national award, honours exceptional young entrepreneurs and industrialists in Russia who are making significant strides in industry and business development. This competition, now in its fourth year, aims to foster and promote young talent driving industrial innovation and regional economic growth.
Organised by prominent national entities such as the Agency for Strategic Initiatives (ASI), the Roscongress Foundation, and VEB.RF, the competition holds a high importance at the federal level. The latest edition, the IV All-Russian “Young Industrialist of the Year Award” held in 2025, saw entrepreneurs Dmitry Filipchuk and Andrey Bershak from Mordovia among the laureates. Mordovia also distinguished itself in the "Region" nomination of the Russian brand competition "Know Ours," highlighting the active role of the region in supporting its entrepreneurs and brands.
The competition is held under the patronage of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation. This year, a record-breaking 60,000 votes were cast, with the "People's Choice Leader" being selected via a website where partners, clients, and fellow townspeople of the finalists could cast their votes.
The first prize in the "Young Industrialist" competition was awarded to Yaroslav Zhelonkin, the General Director of Kazan-based company "Ferri Watt". Yaroslav's company develops and produces vacuum technological equipment for various industries, including mechanical engineering, atomic, aerospace, and others. Among the clients of "Ferri Watt" are corporations such as "Rosatom", "Rostec", "Roscosmos", United Aircraft Corporation, United Engine Corporation, and "KAMAZ".
For the first time, the competition included a category for the best female industrialist. Maria Shulgina, director of "Kvatro" from Yekaterinburg, was the first recipient of the award in this special category.
With the acknowledgment of their achievements, the winners receive not only awards but also inclusion in the community of the Club of Young Industrialists and the opportunity to participate in working meetings with government leaders. Anton Kovalev, chairman of the organizer of the Prize - the Club of Young Industrialists, commented that all finalists are winners and are people to look up to.
Alexander Shokhin, President of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, spoke about the contestants soon taking leading roles. Despite their youth, the participants are effective industrialists and entrepreneurs whom the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs welcomes with open arms.
Over 700 applications for the 'Young Industrialist' competition were received from 69 Russian regions this year. The competition is for those under the age of 40, and interest in it grows each year. The regions the winners come from are proud as their work gains recognition at the federal level.
In summary, the "Young Industrialist" competition in Russia serves as a platform to recognise and promote young industrial entrepreneurs across the nation. It encourages entrepreneurship and industrial development among the youth, highlights successful examples from various regions, and fosters a supportive environment for young industrialists. The winners not only receive awards but also inclusion in the community of the Club of Young Industrialists and the opportunity to participate in working meetings with government leaders. Their products often surpass imported goods and technologies, and the competition is held under the patronage of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation.
- The competition, organized by prominent national entities, serves to acknowledge and encourage young entrepreneurs and industrialists in the finance and business sectors across Russia, showcasing their significant contributions to industry development.
- The winners of the "Young Industrialist" competition are not only recipients of awards but also gain membership in the Club of Young Industrialists, offering opportunities to engage in collaborative discussions with government leaders, further expanding their influence within the sector.
