Coursera has presented the final version of the Global Skills Index, a global survey of the training level of IT professionals in various fields.

 
 Russia is placed first in the&nbsp; "Technology" and "Data Science" categories, and 9th in the "Business". Analysts note that Russian specialists occupy first places in international competitions, ahead of the USA and China, and also produce the largest number of specialists - about 450 thousand per year.

 
 Analysts also assessed what are the professional skills, as well as the qualifications of personnel in 10 different industries, including IT and telecom, healthcare, and the automotive industry. Here are some research insights:

<ul>
 <li>Working with cloud computing and&nbsp;artificial intelligence algorithms are the most trending skills in the IT field.</li>
 <li>The telecom industry has demonstrated the highest professionalism of experts in the field of machine learning, which is associated with the high penetration of technology into almost all segments of this area;
In the healthcare sector, analysts saw an average level of preparedness of IT specialists, including in the field of machine learning and big data, only the security engineering skills of developers were highly rated;&nbsp;</li>
 <li>The automotive industry has demonstrated a high level of preparedness of the IT staff, which is associated with developments in the field of unmanned aerial vehicles.&nbsp;</li>
 <li>In the Data Science category, the automotive industry came in third, and analysts expect more investment in this segment.<a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn" target="_blank"></a></li>
</ul>

 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.coursera.org/gsi">Global Skills Index</a>

<div>
 <img alt="" data-openpopup="0"
 src="https://ict.moscow/static/1200x/f1943d0d-8e86-5c21-9cc9-acc010e6cb2c.jpeg">
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 <a href="https://ict.moscow/news/coursera-rossiia-prodolzhaet-zanimat-1-e-mesto-v-kategoriiakh-tekhnologii-i-data-science-v-global-skills-index/" target="_blank">Original (in Russian)</a>

Coursera

Coursera: Russia continues to rank #1 in the Technology and Data Science categories in the Global Skills Index

Mail.ru Group will buy 25% of the Russian educational service for schoolchildren <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/card/uchi-ru/" target="_blank">Uchi.ru</a> for 3.75 billion rubles (equivalent to $51.1 million).

 
 The Internet holding will be able to increase its share to a controlling one through an option. The first option to increase the stake to 49.5% can be exercised at the end of 2021. The founders of Uchi.ru will remain shareholders and will continue to develop the platform.

 
 The Mail.ru Group specified that according to the plan in 2020, the revenue of the Uchi.ru platform will amount to over 2.5 billion rubles ($34.1 million). This service brings 90% of the company's total revenue, which is expected to be about 3 billion rubles ($40.9 million). This is almost three times more year-on-year. Uchi.ru's foreign revenue is projected to exceed $2 million in 2020. Uchi.ru is not the first educational project for Mail.ru Group.

 
 The group already has stakes in the <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/card/skillbox/" target="_blank">Skillbox</a> educational platform, the <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/card/skillfactory/" target="_blank">SkillFactory</a>, as well as the <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/card/geekbrains/" target="_blank">GeekBrains</a> online school and Algorithmics, a service-developer of educational programming courses for children.

 
 <a href="https://ict.moscow/news/mail-ru-group-investirovala-v-servis-uchi-ru-i-poluchit-25-kompanii/" target="_blank">Original (in Russian)</a>

VC.ru

 Mail.ru Group has invested in the Uchi.ru service and will receive 25% of the company

The weekly observer of Moscow's tech stories

<hr />
<h2>
 MARKET IN BRIEF
</h2>

 
 main news about Moscow's projects, developers and technologies

 <div>
 <a class="image_link" target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/face-id-to-pay-fare-will-appear-in-the-moscow-metro-in-2021/">
 <img alt="" data-openpopup="0"
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 </a>
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<ul>
 <li>Face ID to pay fare will <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/face-id-to-pay-fare-will-appear-in-the-moscow-metro-in-2021/" target="_blank">appear</a> in the Moscow metro in 2021</li>
 <li>Moscow's digital projects to fight the COVID-19 pandemic <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/moscows-digital-projects-to-fight-the-covid-19-pandemic-receive-a-runet-prize/" style="background-color: rgb(250, 250, 250);" target="_blank">receive</a> a Runet prize</li>
</ul>

<ul>
 <li>Sberbank <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/sberbank-plans-to-open-an-international-institute-of-artificial-intelligence-in-russia/" target="_blank">plans</a> to open an international Institute of artificial intelligence in Russia</li>
</ul>

<ul>
 <li>MTS <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/mts-launched-a-russian-base-station-in-its-network/" target="_blank">launched</a> a Russian base station in its network</li>
</ul>

<ul>
 <li>AI-powered knowledge base service for employee support AutoFAQ is <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/ai-powered-knowledge-base-service-for-employee-and-customer-support-autofaq-is-included-in-the-register-of-domestic-software/" target="_blank">included</a> in the register of domestic software  (Card of <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/card/autofaq/" target="_blank">AutoFAQ</a>)</li>
</ul>

<div class="incut-block incut-block-text-small-size">
 GOV AGENDA
 
 A draft law on a tax on cryptocurrency has been <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/a-draft-law-on-a-tax-on-cryptocurrency-has-been-submitted-to-the-state-duma/" target="_blank">submitted</a> to the State Duma
 </div>
 
 <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/" target="_blank">More news →</a>

<hr />
<h2>
 INVESTMENT &amp; IPO DEALS
</h2>

<ul>
 <li>Russian AI company Cleverbots <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/russian-ai-company-cleverbots-attracted-1-million-investment-for-development-in-the-international-market/" target="_blank">attracted</a> $1 million investment for development in the international markets (Card of <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/card/marketplace-cleverbots/" target="_blank">Cleverbots</a>)</li>
</ul>

<ul>
 <li>The developer of digital farms City Farmer <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/the-developer-of-digital-farms-city-farmer-attracted-investments-from-ibs-in-exchange-for-55-of-the-company/" target="_blank">attracted</a> investments from IBS in exchange for 55% of the company</li>
</ul>

<ul>
 <li>Online English school for children Novakid <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/online-english-school-for-children-novakid-raised-4-25-million/" target="_blank">raised</a> $4.25 million</li>
</ul>

<hr />
<h2>
 ANALYTICS AND INSIGHTS
</h2>

 
 researches, monitorings, reports and other analytics of Moscow and Russian IT market

<ul>
 <li><a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/research-70-of-companies-using-ai-say-technology-is-effective/" target="_blank">Rostelecom &amp; Tadviser</a>: 70% of companies using AI say technology is effective →</li>
</ul>

<ul>
 <li><a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/research-only-12-of-russian-companies-intend-to-cut-costs-on-iot/" target="_blank">Megafon</a>: only 12% of Russian companies intend to cut costs on IoT →</li>
</ul>

<ul>
 <li><a href="https://ict.moscow/en/research/hi-tech-crime-trends-2020-2021/" target="_blank">Group-IB</a>: the total potential damage of possible ransomware incidents, could exceed $1 billion →</li>
</ul>

<hr />
<h2>
 LONGREAD
</h2>

 
 <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/maas-in-global/" target="_blank">The route is built: prospects for the development of MaaS in Moscow and other megacities of the world</a>

 <div>
 <a class="image_link" target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/maas-in-global/">
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 </a>
 </div>

 
 At the beginning of November Moscow authorities announced plans to launch a MaaS-platform (Mobility-as-a-Service, “mobility as a service”) in the city; it will combine all city and several private transport services. By the end of 2021, the concept of multimodality will be implemented, which means that types of transport will be combined in a single digital space, and routes and fares will be personalised for users.

 
 This ambition of Moscow corresponds to the global trend in the field of transport - gradual implementation of MaaS concept in the city. To understand the current state of things and the prospects for the development and application of MaaS in the world, ICT.Moscow studied the experience of the development of this concept by megacities of the world, and also discussed its key features and barriers with experts.

 
 <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/maas-in-global/" target="_blank">Read full article →</a>

<hr />
<h2>
 DIGITAL SOLUTIONS FROM MOSCOW
</h2>

 
 a showcase of some smart mobility solutions 

 
 <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/card/mosgorpass/" target="_blank">Mosgorpass</a>

 
 Moscow passenger mobile application

 
 <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/card/metro-moskvy/" target="_blank">MosMetro</a>

 
 Moscow Metro mobile application

 
 <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/card/parkovki-moskvy/" target="_blank">Moscow parking</a>

 
 Application for finding and paying for parking

 
 <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/cards/?tags=transportation" target="_blank">More solutions →</a>

<hr />
<h2>
 KEY ACTORS IN IT
</h2>

 
 discover people who stand behind the innovative companies and projects in Moscow

 
 Lev Khasis, First Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board of Sberbank | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/lev.khasis" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://ru.linkedin.com/in/lev-khasis-73387429" target="_blank">LinkedIn </a>

 
 Vladislav Belyaev, Co-founder & CEO of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/autofaqai/" target="_blank">Autofaq.ai</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/vbelyaev89" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://ru.linkedin.com/in/vlbelyaev" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a>

 
 Adam Turaev, Strategy Director at Cleverbots | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/adam.turaev.3" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://ru.linkedin.com/in/adamturaev" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a>

 
 Anatoly Karachinsky, President and CEO of IBS Group, Founder of City Farmer | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/anatoly.karachinsky" target="_blank">Facebook</a>

 
 Maxim Azarov, CEO of NovaKid | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/vwpanther" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://pl.linkedin.com/in/mazarov" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a> | <a href="https://www.crunchbase.com/person/maxim-azarov" target="_blank">Crunchbase</a>

<hr />
 
 <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/?filterCategory=Tech-in-Moscow" target="_blank">Previous Tech in Moscow newsletters</a>

ICT.Moscow

Tech in Moscow #16 (30 November - 6 December 2020)

Successes of medical AI, the race between the United States and China, the hype around autonomous vehicles and other topics of November about artificial intelligence from the @ict_moscow_ai Telegram feed in one digest.

<hr />
<h2>
 Successes of medical AI<a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a>
</h2>

 
 At the beginning of the month it was announced than Botkin.AI system for medical images analysis using artificial intelligence from Intellogic had <a href="https://vademec.ru/news/2020/11/05/zaregistrirovano-pervoe-programmnoe-obespechenie-s-ii-dlya-analiza-meditsinskikh-snimkov/" target="_blank">received</a> a registration certificate from Roszdravnadzor and had been admitted to circulation on the Russian market starting from November 3, 2020.

 
 The company <a href="https://old.sk.ru/news/b/news/archive/2019/05/29/botkinai-poluchil-100-mln-rubley-investiciy.aspx" target="_blank">raised </a>100 million rubles (equivalent to $1.3 million)  investment for the startup last year. This solution <a href="https://ict.moscow/projects/ai/news/1215/" target="_blank">became</a> the second medical software using AI that is registered in Russia, the first one was the solution for analyzing images using AI.

 
 Also in November Moscow <a href="https://tass.ru/obschestvo/10098247" target="_blank">reported</a> that more than 500 thousand CT images has been analyzed using AI in the capital, and announced the results of the first year of the experiment for introducing artificial intelligence into the Moscow healthcare system: currently about 300 Moscow medical institutions use artificial intelligence services developed by 21 companies. Next year the authors of the project <a href="https://www.mos.ru/news/item/83143073/" target="_blank">plan</a> to increase the number of types of medical research using artificial intelligence from 4 to 10.

<hr />
<h2>
 China is trying to overtake the USA<a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a>
</h2>

 
 CB Insights analysts <a href="https://t.me/blockchainRF/3290" target="_blank">presented</a> a list of the 10 most expensive AI companies in the world: 3 out of 10 are from China, the rest are from the USA. Later, the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology <a href="https://ict.moscow/projects/ai/news/1266/" target="_blank">released</a> the China Internet Development Report 2020, which said that China had overtaken the United States in the number of patent applications in artificial intelligence. In total, 694 thousand applications were submitted in the country, and in the period from January to October of this year the number of applications almost reached 102 thousand. This is 56% more than during the same period of 2019.

 
 The news agenda of the last month also included messages on bilateral cooperation between Russia and China. At the beginning of November it was announced that Russia and China <a href="http://duma.gov.ru/news/49910/" target="_blank">had agreed</a> to exchange experience in legal regulation. The areas of exchange include the regulation of digital economy, artificial intelligence technologies, personal data security, and legislative support of information security and scientific and technical cooperation. Russian RVC and Chinese DeepBlue Technology <a href="https://www.comnews.ru/content/211378/2020-11-02/2020-w45/rvk-i-kitayskaya-korporaciya-deepblue-technology-budut-razvivat-proekty-oblasti-umnykh-gorodov" target="_blank">signed</a> a memorandum on cooperation in the field of smart cities and industry 4.0. The first project will be aimed at attracting Russian teams for participation in the Smart City project of the Chinese city of Anshan. Priority search areas are intelligent and robotic systems, visual recognition and intelligent detection systems, solutions in artificial intelligence and big data analysis for manufacturing industries, production security systems.

<hr />
<h2>
 Growing hype around AI and autonomous vehicles<a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a>
</h2>

 
 Rostelecom <a href="https://ict.moscow/projects/ai/news/1225/" target="_blank">released</a> another notable report by publishing the fourth annual monitoring of global digitalization trends. For the second year in a row, AI remains the most notable trend. This is also <a href="https://ict.moscow/projects/ai/news/1234/" target="_blank">confirmed</a> by the quarterly review of the most notable media trends in IT by ICT.Moscow. According to the review, artificial intelligence was mentioned from 15.4 to 17 thousand times a month from July to September of this year.

 
 Rostelecom also notes that autonomous vehicles trend has been growing rapidly over the past 5 years. Experts see a significant growth in the market of technologies for unmanned vehicles (merger of VW Group and Ford to create unmanned taxis and delivery services, expansion of the partnership between Uber and Toyota, active investment by large corporations in this area). According to Rostelecom analysts, the main barriers to commercial use are infrastructure and regulations.

 
 NP “GLONASS” also claims that regulation and the lack of uniform technical standards as one of the barriers. In December the Moscow Region will <a href="https://iz.ru/1084300/2020-11-08/v-rossii-zapustiat-testirovanie-sistemy-bespilotnogo-vozhdeniia-v-potoke" target="_blank">launch</a> the testing of the system of transport autonomous driving in traffic using V2X (vehicle-to-everything) equipment from six developers: Fort Telecom, MVS Group, Kaspersky Lab, Sreda Solutions, Keysight and FSUE NAMI. Based on the results of the launch, the domestic Russian standard for data exchange within the V2X infrastructure will be developed.

 
 Regarding the UAVs area, the first center for the operation of unmanned aircraft systems was <a href="https://ict.moscow/projects/ai/news/1214/" target="_blank">launched</a> in Russia on the basis of the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI. The unit is the first and only one in Russia and has already been granted an official national status. It was also announced that the Ministry of Transport had ordered to develop an information support system for unmanned aircraft flights in the Russian Federation.

 
 The unmanned vehicles area is actively developing abroad as well. The UK has made an important step in this direction: at the beginning of the month, the testing of six autonomous vehicles <a href="https://bespilot.com/news/913-oxford?fbclid=IwAR0I7hfohhR-kECUZaF9BTa5qnmXhO14Mb9INskfOIELC8Wzus9rdJqX2jQ" target="_blank">began</a> in Oxford under the government’s <a href="https://www.endeavourprogramme.com/" target="_blank">Endeavor</a> program. This is the country’s first autonomous vehicle testing program on public roads. The testing will be conducted during the year in three major British cities, including London.

<hr />
<h2>
 AI monetization<a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a>
</h2>

 
 In November, companies continued to announce purchases of start-ups, report on finding new markets and technology profitability. For instance, TechCrunch <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/m-a/20/11/18200266/intel-makes-its-second-ai-acquisition-in-a-week" target="_blank">wrote</a> about another deal by Intel - this time the company purchased the Israeli developer cnvrg.io.

 
 In Russia Sberbank <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/sberbank-expects-ai-profit-expansion/" target="_blank">claimed</a> it expected an increase in profits from artificial intelligence. The technology will generate about 6% of the targeted net profit of Sberbank this year, as the company plans to use this technology in almost all processes in the expanding range of products. On November 30, the same idea was voiced by the first deputy chairman of the board of Sberbank Alexander Vedyakhin at the online presentation of Investor Day: Strategy 2023. He said that the company intended to issue more than 90% of all loans in 2023 using artificial intelligence.

 
 Meanwhile, Tinkoff bank <a href="https://ict.moscow/projects/ai/news/1213/" target="_blank">announced</a> that it would create a separate department for the development of AI technologies. In another segment, Gazprom Neft and Zyfra Group <a href="https://ict.moscow/projects/ai/news/1255/" target="_blank">announced</a> the creation of a separate business - a joint venture for developing digital solutions in the oil and gas sector, including using AI. And VisionLabs (part of the Sberbank ecosystem) has <a href="https://ict.moscow/projects/ai/news/1264/" target="_blank">opened</a> an office in Dubai to promote its AI solutions in the UAE market. The company plans to continue its expansion by opening representative offices in Singapore and the USA, and is also considering the possibility of entering the markets of Latin America and Japan.

<hr />
 
 * * *

 
 Another notable event of November for the Russian AI industry was the <a href="https://t.me/ict_moscow_ai/1226" target="_blank">inclusion</a> of a Russian representative in the work of the interstate group for conducting global consultations in the Ad hoc Committee on Artificial Intelligence of the Council of Europe. Andrey Neznamov, Sberbank’s executive director of the Center for Data Research for Government Bodies, was elected as the chairman of this group.

 
 <a href="https://ict.moscow/news/ai-digest-november20/" target="_blank">Original (in Russian)</a>

Digest about AI in Russia: top news in November

Online English language school Novakid (a Skolkovo resident) raised $4.25 million in round A. The Hungarian PortfoLion (part of the OTP Group) was the lead investor. The American fund LearnStart, which is part of the LearnCapital investment company, the Korean venture fund BonAngels, the LETA Capital fund and the venture fund TMT Investments also invested in the startup. The investment amount of TMT Investments amounted to $500 thousand, the shares of investments of the other participants were not disclosed.

 
 The funds are planned to be used to support the growth and development of innovations in the project.

 
 Novakid was founded in 2017 by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/vwpanther" target="_blank">Maxim Azarov</a> and Dmitry Malin. The company is registered in the USA.

 
 <a href="https://rb.ru/news/novakid-tmt-investments/" target="_blank">Original (in Russian)</a>

RB.ru

Online English school for children Novakid raised $4.25 million

The integrator of solutions based on artificial intelligence <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/card/marketplace-cleverbots/">Cleverbots</a> has raised $1 million from the AST Group of companies, one of the Russian agroindustrial conglomerates.

 
 Cleverbots plans to use the funds received to scale the business and further develop it in the Russian and international markets. 

 
 According to the director of strategy of the company, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/adam.turaev.3" style="background-color: rgb(250, 250, 250);">Adam Turaev</a>, offices in Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates, where AST has already opened its offices, can become launching sites.

 
 In addition, the startup intends to expand the development team fivefold and the sales team threefold. Participation in government tenders and development of its own product solutions will also become key areas of the company's development.

 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/cleverbots-privlek-1-mln-investitsii-dlia-razvitiia-na-mezhdunarodnom-rynke/">Original (in Russian)</a>

Cleverbots

Russian AI company Cleverbots attracted $1 million investment for development in the international markets

The developer of digital farms City Farmer (a Skolkovo resident) attracted investments from IBS in exchange for 55% of the company. The amount of funds raised has not been disclosed. 

 
 The partnership is aimed at promoting startup solutions in the Russian market. It is expected that City Farmer will receive technological support from IBS for organising service support for farm clients. The companies will also develop intelligent control systems for growing processes. In addition, the startup will be able to use the partner's marketing and sales channels.

 
 According to the Unified State Register of Legal Entities, City Farmer LLC was established in 2018. The founders of the company are Viktor Nikitin and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/anatoly.karachinsky" target="_blank">Anatoly Karachinsky</a> - 45% and 55%, respectively.

 
 Anatoly Karachinsky is the President of IBS Group. As a result of investments, the entrepreneur gained control over the "City Farmer". The startup is engaged in the production and maintenance of digital agricultural farms. Each of them is a modular object. The main farm processes (irrigation, ventilation, lighting, humidification and others) are controlled remotely using artificial intelligence technologies.

 
 <a href="https://ict.moscow/news/razrabotchik-tsifrovykh-ferm-siti-fermer-privlek-investitsii-ot-ibs/" target="_blank">Original (in Russian)</a>

 The developer of digital farms City Farmer attracted investments from IBS in exchange for 55% of the company

Tech in Moscow #15 (23 - 29 November 2020)

Rostelecom buys 51% in the Big Three company, which specializes in waste processing automation, for $16.6 billion. 

 
 The operator has already signed an agreement for the purchase of 1% and call options for 50% of the shares, which it is selling in the first half of 2021. The Big Three will become part of the Rostelecom group as a subsidiary, while retaining the team.

 
 The main product of the Big Three is the Waste Management platform. This solution will complement the waste processing technologies that Rostelecom already has.

 
 According to Igor Zimin, Vice president for Applied Projects of Rostelecom, the deal solves for the operator the strategic problem of creating another promising business cluster within the company, comparable in potential with such areas as information security and cloud services.

 
 Rostelecom is not the first telecom operator in the waste processing market. For example, MTS has a federal program for the digitalization of waste collection and disposal. The company has developed an ERP system that streamlines the work with municipal solid waste.

 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/rostelekom-pokupaet-kompaniiu-po-upravleniiu-pererabotkoi-otkhodov-bolshaia-troika/">Original (in Russian)</a>

Vedomosti

Rostelecom buys waste management company Big Three for $16.6 billion

<a target="_blank" href="https://motify.com/ru/">Motify</a>, a service providing exercise videos for doing fitness, raised $3 million in a seed round from Grishin Robotics of the Mail.ru Group’s co-founder Dmitry Grishin and a group of investors.

 
 The company plans to use most of the raised funds on marketing scaling and the development of the service. The terms of investment and the value of the company were not disclosed.

 
 Motify was <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/byvshie-top-menedzhery-mail-ru-group-zapustili-prilozhenie-dlia-onlain-trenirovok/">launched</a> by former top managers of Mail.ru Group <a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/rusgafurov">Ruslan Gafurov,</a> <a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100006121779115">Andrey Tsytsenko </a>and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/tsytsenko.sergey">Sergey Tsytsenko</a> in early April 2020.

 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/servis-onlain-trenirovok-motify-privlek-3-mln-na-razvitie">Original (in Russian)</a>

Motify online fitness service raised $3 million for development

The weekly observer of Moscow's tech stories

<hr />
<h2>
 MARKET IN BRIEF<a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a>
</h2>

 
 main news about Moscow's projects, developers and technologies

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 </a>
 </div>

 
 Moscow “Digital Twin” project <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/moscow-digital-twin-project-received-the-international-isocarp-award/">received</a> the international ISOCARP award&nbsp;(<a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCA7M-jrP_s">Video</a>) A single application for all types of transport <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/a-single-application-for-all-types-of-transport-will-appear-in-moscow/">will appear</a> in Moscow The Moscow Region <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/the-moscow-region-will-test-the-autonomous-driving-system-for-transport-vehicles-on-roads/">will test</a> the autonomous driving system for transport vehicles on roads Ericsson <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/ericsson-deployed-a-5g-standalone-network-in-moscow/">deployed</a> a 5G standalone network in Moscow Apple Rus <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/apple-rus-claims-in-russia-for-frequency-bands-in-the-range-of-6-2-8-2-ghz/">claims</a> in Russia for frequency bands in the range of 6.2-8.2 GHz Andrey Neznamov <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/andrey-neznamov-has-been-appointed-chairman-of-the-international-group-in-the-council-of-europes-ad-hoc-committee-on-artificial-intelligence/">has been appointed</a> chairman of the international group in the Council of Europe’s Ad Hoc Committee on Artificial Intelligence

<div class="incut-block incut-block-text-small-size">
 GOV AGENDA
 Data on urban transport routes in Russia <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/data-on-urban-transport-routes-in-russia-will-become-publicly-available/">will become</a> publicly available
 The State Duma <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/the-state-duma-proposes-to-secure-the-rights-to-the-results-of-ai-work-for-the-copyright-holders-of-the-programs/">proposes</a> to secure the rights to the results of AI work for the copyright holders of the programs
 
 </div>
 
 

 
 

 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/">More news&nbsp;→</a>

<hr />
<h2>
 INVESTMENT DEALS<a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a>
</h2>

<ul>
 <li>Project Fura&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/project-fura-raised-2-million/">raised</a>&nbsp;$2 million&nbsp;(Card of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/project-fura-raised-2-million/">Fura</a>)</li>
 <li>EdTech-project Dragon Family&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/edtech-project-dragon-family-raised-investments-from-iidf/">raised</a>&nbsp;investments from IIDF&nbsp;(Card of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/card/dragon-family/">Dragon Family</a>)</li>
 <li>Rostelecom&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/rostelecom-buys-telecommunications-business-of-lukoil/">buys</a>&nbsp;telecommunications business of Lukoil&nbsp;(Cards of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/cards/?tags=Rostelecom">Rostelecom</a>)&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

<hr />
<h2>
 ANALYTICS AND INSIGHTS<a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a>
</h2>

 
 researches, monitorings, reports and other analytics of Moscow and Russian IT market

<ul>
 <li><a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/rostelecom-ai-is-the-main-technology-trend-for-the-second-year-in-a-row/">Rostelecom:</a>&nbsp;AI is the main technology trend for the second year in a row&nbsp;→</li>
 <li><a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/gsma-building-5g-networks-could-cost-84-more-due-to-less-suitable-frequency-band/">GSMA:</a>&nbsp;building 5G networks could cost 84% more due to less suitable frequency band&nbsp;→</li>
 <li><a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/iks-consulting-70-of-rack-spaces-in-commercial-data-centers-are-located-in-moscow/">iKS-Consulting:</a>&nbsp;70% of rack spaces in commercial data centers are located in Moscow&nbsp;→&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

<hr />
<h2>
 LONGREADS<a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a>
</h2>

 
 ICT.Moscow has collected the most notable topics for October about artificial intelligence in one digest: AI is the first in line to be tested in Russian sandboxes, the need to determine the criteria for AI solutions, open practices of the world’s cities and other topics of the month

 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/ai-digest-highlights-for-october/">Read full issue&nbsp;→</a>

 
 

<hr />
<h2>
 DIGITAL SOLUTIONS FROM MOSCOW<a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a>
</h2>

 
 a showcase of some&nbsp;transportation solutions

 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/card/vocord-traffic/">VOCORD Traffic</a> Intellectual system for license plate number recognition and traffic violations fixation <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/card/yandeksmarshrutizaciya/">Yandex.Routing</a> Platform for handling logistic challenges in the urban environment <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/card/neurocore-raspoznavanie-avtomobilei/">Neurocore: car recognition</a> Vehicle license plate number and class recognition system <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/card/delimobil-pool/">Delimobil Pool</a> The service for connecting external motor car parks’ vehicles to car sharing <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/card/smart-automatic-train-operation/">Smart Automatic Train Operation</a> Intelligent railroad train movement control system

 
 

 
 &nbsp;&nbsp;

 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/cards/page/3/?tags=transportation">More solutions&nbsp;→</a>

<hr />
 
 

<h2>
 KEY ACTORS IN IT<a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a>
</h2>

 
 discover people who stand behind the innovative companies and projects in Moscow

 
 Andrei Neznamov, Executive Director of the Center for Data Research for Government of Sberbank&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/avneznamov">Facebook</a> |&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrei-neznamov-344aa1ba/">Linkedin&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;

 
 Mikhail Filimonchik, Chief Manager of Ericsson 5G Innovation Center&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001268272506">Facebook</a>&nbsp;

 
 Mikhail Mishakov, Head of digital project sector at IT Department of Moscow Government&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/mishakovm">Facebook&nbsp;</a>

 
 Arthur Zhazhoyan, COO &amp; Founder of Fura&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/arthur.zhazhoyan">Facebook</a> |&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthur-zhazhoyan/">Linkedin</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

 
 Teimour Sternlib,&nbsp;Founder of Dragon Family&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/eugene.lisovskiy">Facebook</a>&nbsp;

<hr />
 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/?filterCategory=Tech-in-Moscow">Previous Tech in Moscow&nbsp;newsletters</a>

Tech in Moscow #13 (9 - 15 November 2020)

Rostelecom announced the signing of legally binding agreements to acquire LLC Lukoil-inform, which represents the telecom business of the Lukoil group.

 
 "The structure of the transaction involves the acquisition of 50.1% of the shares at the time of the transaction, and also provides for the possibility of the buyer and seller selling call / put options, respectively, for the remaining 49.9% of the shares in 2023," the operator said in a statement.

 
 The transaction amount will be at least 2 billion rubles ($25,9 million). Lukoil will maintain the volume of existing contracts for telecommunications and IT services with Lukoil-inform for the next 5 years.

 
 The deal will strengthen Rostelecom's position in the B2B segment, create a center of excellence for digital development of oil and gas companies and provide an opportunity for additional sales of Rostelecom's digital services.

 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/rostelekom-pokupaet-telekommunikatsionnyi-biznes-lukoila/">Original (in Russian)</a>

Rostelecom

Rostelecom buys telecommunications business of Lukoil

Moscow EdTech project Dragon Family, which is creating an application for developing children's skills, has raised investments from the Internet Initiatives Development Fund (IIDF) in exchange for a 5% stake in the company. This is the first outside investment for the startup. The details of the deal were not disclosed. The application is used by more than 25 thousand families, and one fifth of them are US users.

 
 In September Dragon Family received 500 thousand rubles (or $6,5 thousand) from the Moscow Seed Fund as part of the program providing grants to the most investment-attractive graduates of accelerators held in Moscow.

 
 <a href="https://ict.moscow/news/edtech-proekt-dragon-family-privlek-investitsii-ot-frii/" target="_blank">Original (in Russian)</a>

EdTech-project Dragon Family raised investments from IIDF

MTS announced the
sale of 100% of the system integrator NVision Group to its largest shareholder,
Sistema
PJSFC. The value of the deal is 401
million rubles. But the final value may be
adjusted depending on the revised financial results as of the date of deal closure, the operator stated in a press release.

 
 MTS sells NVision
Group’s systems integration assets, excluding those used in the development of the MTS’s product portfolio. MTS will also retain the FORIS BSS/OSS billing system that was earlier an asset of NVision Group.

 
 The mobile
operator acquired NVision Group from Sistema in 2015. Initially, it was
reported that the company would cost the operator up to 15 billion rubles.
However, MTS later indicated that it had paid 11.2 billion rubles for the asset.

 
 According to the
representative of MTS <a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001788742697">Alexey Merkutov</a>, the
difference between the current valuation of
NVision Group and the amount that the operator paid for the company five years
ago is due to the fact that MTS retains a
billing system that allows invoicing for communication services to subscribers
and formed the basic value of the
asset in 2015. Merkutov noted that the main purpose of the NVision Group
acquisition had been the integration of its
own billing system into the MTS perimeter.

 
 According to
Merkutov, the sale of the remaining part of NVision Group is due to the fact
that the company’s assets “are not related to the
formation of a product portfolio, require additional investments and are not considered a priority in terms of implementing the company’s strategy”.

 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/mts-prodaet-envizhn-grup/">Original (in Russian)</a>

MTS sells 100% of the system integrator NVision Group to Sistema PJSFC

Mail.ru Group will
sell 100% of the MAPS.ME map service for 1.6 billion rubles. (equivalent to $20.5 million)

 
 The buyer is Daegu Limited, a member of the Parity.com group (a
global instant money transfer system that provides services to corporate
clients in insurance, tourism, e-commerce, finance, etc.). The
headquarters of the Parity.com Group is located in Switzerland.

 
 The sale of MAPS.ME is a part of Mail.ru Group’s strategy to focus on the development of core assets, where the service is
perceived as non-core.

 
 Mail.ru Group
acquired MAPS.ME in 2014 for $6.9 million. The service has surpassed the
mark of 140 million installs and 10 million monthly
active users. In 2019 MAPS.ME revenue amounted
to $2 million.

 
 Contacts:

 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/eugene.lisovskiy">Eugene Lisovsky</a>, CEO of MAPS.ME

 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/mail-ru-group-prodaet-maps-me-shveitsarskoi-parity-com/">Original (in Russian)</a>

TASS

Mail.ru Group sells MAPS.ME for $20.5 million

Megafon will acquire
33.8% in Digital Media Holding LLC (DMH), the parent company of the Start video
service. This information was reported by RBC
with reference to representatives of the parties.

 
 The operator is
ready to invest up to 5 billion rubles in service during the next three years. Start will use the raised
funds to increase the production of original content and
the development of new related business areas.

 
 The value of the deal was not disclosed. According to the
publication, it could amount to 2–2.7 billion rubles, since a source in the online movie theater market estimated
Start at
from 6 to 8 billion rubles.

 
 According to a representative of Megafon, the company sees great prospects in the online
cinemas market: “The creation of original content is a growth driver for the OTT
market in Russia”.

 
 According to the company’s own estimates, Start
has over 1 million paying users. According to TelecomDaily estimates, this
online cinema showed the most significant revenue growth in the first half of
the year - the figure increased by 362.9%
compared to the same period in 2019.

 
 Contacts:

 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/julia.mindubaeva">Julia
Mindubaeva</a>, CEO of Start&nbsp;

 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/megafon-stanet-sovladeltsem-onlain-kinoteatra-start/">Original (in Russian)</a>

Megafon will become a co-owner of the Start online cinema

Sberbank and R-Pharm will acquire 90% of shares in the Internet pharmacy Eapteka

Eticket4, a online platform for resale of tickets for events from Moscow, has attracted investments from the founder of the TicketOK ticket service Vitaliy Morgachev. The entrepreneur joined the project as a strategic partner.

 
 The investor will get 5% of the project, the investment amount was not disclosed. According to the company’s information, Eticket4 is estimated at about 220 million rubles. Thus, Morgachev’s investment could amount to 11 million rubles.

 
 Morgachev will focus on developing new technical solutions for the marketplace. One of the tasks is to diversify the sources of monetization.

 
 Eticket4 has been operating since 2016. Monetization of the service is ensured by collecting agency fees from transactions for the sale and purchase of tickets for entertainment events.

 
 <a href="https://ict.moscow/news/marketpleis-eticket4-privlek-novogo-partnera-dlia-postroeniia-biletnoi-ekosistemy/'" target="_blank">Original (in Russian)</a>

Eticket4 marketplace attracted a new partner to build a ticketing ecosystem

Sberbank became interested in the smart housing and communal services
market. The bank received a minority stake (5%) in the “Smart Resident” project, which connects citizens and management
companies and allows to automatically collect data from meters
and pay bills.<a></a>

 
 The service was launched in 2016. According to Russian accounting standards, in 2019, the revenue of the company amounted to $198 thousand with a net profit of $116 thousand. In 2019 the company participated in the Sberbank accelerator
and 500 Startups.<a></a>

 
 The company’s solution allows to conduct online voting for residents, communicate with the management company,
order household
services, make payments and transfer data to the management company.<a></a>

 
 Telecommunications
operators - Rostelecom, VimpelCom, MTS and Megafon - are already working in the field of smart housing
and utilities. According to Megafon estimates, by 2022 this market in Russia will reach $15 million.<a></a>

 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/sberbank-poluchil-doliu-v-zhkkh-proekte-umnyi-zhitel/">Original (in Russian)</a><a></a>

Kommersant

Sberbank received a stake in the “Smart Resident” housing and communal services project

Oleg Tinkov sold
his stake in the financial marketplace Sravni.ru to Baring Vostok and Goldman Sachs funds. The
amount of the transaction and the shares of shareholders were not disclosed.<a></a><a></a>

 
 Sravni.ru in
2009 was founded by Albert Popkov. In 2014, the
project attracted investments from Tinkoff Digital, the owners of which are
Tinkov and Goldman Sachs.<a></a><a></a>

 
 At that time the
sources of RBC in the market, which were familiar
with the details of the transaction, estimated the service at $5 million.
According to one of them, Tinkoff Digital acquired a controlling stake and an option to increase its stake in
the company.<a></a><a></a>

 
 Alexey Solovyov, Managing Director of A Partners investment company, noted in a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.vedomosti.ru/finance/articles/2020/10/18/843658-tinkov-sravniru">conversation</a> with
Vedomosti that there had been hardly
any “strong synergistic effects” between Tinkoff Digital and Sravni.ru, so the exit of the investor was unlikely to negatively affect the business.<a></a><a></a>

 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/fondy-baring-vostok-i-goldman-sachs-uvelichili-doliu-v-sravni-ru/">Original (in Russian)</a><a></a><a></a>

Baring Vostok and Goldman Sachs funds increase their stake in Sravni.ru

Yandex announced
the termination of negotiations on the possible purchase of 100% of the share
capital of Tinkoff. The parties failed to agree on the final terms of the deal,
the company stated in a press release. Immediately after the termination
was announced, TCS Group’s receipts on the Moscow Exchange <a target="_blank" href="https://quote.rbc.ru/news/article/5f8963609a7947a15b40a5b3">fell</a> by more than
6%. The price of securities fell to 1,754 rubles. Yandex shares fell by 3.7%.<a></a><a></a>

 
 According to a
representative of Tinkoff Bank, the company is not negotiating with anyone, and
“Tinkoff will develop independently”.<a></a>

 
 According to
Forbes, the key issue in the negotiations was Oleg Tinkov’s
participation in the management of the merged company.<a></a>

 
 The merger
negotiations between TCS Group and Yandex were <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/reaktsiia-otrasli-iandeks-pokupaet-tinkoff-bank/">announced</a> on September 22. The parties claimed that they had reached
a preliminary agreement.<a></a>

 
 On October 14, The
Bell <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/the-bell-tinkov-vedet-peregovory-s-mts-po-prodazhe-tinkoff-banka/">announced</a> that MTS was interested
in buying TCS Group.<a></a>

 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/iandeks-i-tinkoff-prekratili-peregovory-o-sdelke/">Original (in Russian)</a><a></a>

Yandex

Yandex and Tinkoff terminated negotiations on the deal

Oleg Tinkov,&nbsp; founder of Tinkoff, who less than a
month ago confirmed a possible deal with Yandex, is negotiating with other
potential buyers. MTS or MTS Bank, members of AFK Sistema of Vladimir
Yevtushenkov, can “kill” the deal with the Internet company. According to the
newspaper, there are no final agreements yet.<a></a>

 
 Back in July 2020, an acquaintance of Yevtushenkov informed
the publication about the discussion of the deal. Negotiations continue, but
Yevtushenkov has not made a decision yet.<a></a>

 
 Oleg Tinkov estimated the likelihood of concluding a
deal with Yandex as 50/50 in a post on Instagram on October 4. In the post he
argued that Tinkoff Bank aims to achieve the target of 20 million active
clients and $1 billion in net profit [as of October, the bank has 11 million
customers, net profit for 2019 was 36.1 billion rubles, or approximately $470
million.<a></a>

 
 According to the sources of the publication,
negotiations between the businessman and Yandex are continuing and are going
slowly, the parties have not yet reached a final agreement.<a></a>

 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/the-bell-tinkov-vedet-peregovory-s-mts-po-prodazhe-tinkoff-banka/">Original (in Russian)</a><a></a>

The Bell

Oleg Tinkov is negotiating with MTS on the sale of Tinkoff Bank

Mail.ru Group increased its share in Skillbox and invested in the Tetrika online school

Moscow startup Briskly which develops the B-Pay contactless payment platform raised $2 million to finance its first project in Europe and strengthen its positions in Russia. Among the investors there are Maxim Poletaev (the stake is 13.29%), Gauss Ventures (moreover, Nikita Chesnokov from the fund joined the board of directors of Briskly), a British venture fund and another private investor.

 
 According to Gleb Kharitonov, co-founder of the project, Briskly will soon complete preparations for the launch of retail outlets in Croatia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan. The company plans to develop a network of smart autonomous outlets in these countries together with regional partners.

 
 In 2019, Briskly conducted two funding rounds for a total of $370,000 and doubled the valuation to $20 million.

 
 <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/card/briskly/" target="_blank">Briskly</a> card on ICT.Moscow

<div class="incut-block incut-block-text-small-size">
 Contacts:
 <a href="https://www.facebook.com/gleb.tec" target="_blank">Gleb Kharitonov</a>, CEO of Briskly.online
 
 </div>
 
 <a href="https://ict.moscow/news/briskly-privlek-2-mln-dlia-vykhoda-na-zarubezhnye-rynki/" target="_blank">Original (in Russian)</a>

Market in Brief