Permits for flights of unmanned aerial vehicles will begin to be issued in the Moscow region. The possibility of providing the service was approved by the Ministry of Transport and Road Infrastructure of the Moscow Region together with the Ministry of Public Administration, Information Technologies and Communications of the region. An application for permission to fly UAVs can be submitted on the regional portal of public services.

 
 The service will be available to individuals, individual entrepreneurs and legal entities. The pilot areas, where the service will be launched earlier than anyone else, will be selected in the first quarter of 2021. It is planned to fully launch the provision of the service by July.

 
 In January, Hover&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/first-tests-of-unmanned-flying-taxis-took-place-in-the-luzhniki-stadium-in-moscow/">tested</a> unmanned flying taxis in the closed arena of the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow. 

 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/v-moskovskoi-oblasti-nachnut-vydavat-razresheniia-na-polety-bespilotnykh-letatelnykh-apparatov/">Original (in Russian)</a>

TASS

Permits for flights of unmanned aerial vehicles will begin to be issued in Moscow region

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100019084008710">Andrey Andreev (Ogandzhanyants</a>), the founder of the Badoo dating site, announced the launch of the <a target="_blank" href="https://stereo.com/">Stereo</a> audio broadcasting service in Russia. It, like the Clubhouse social network, allows audio broadcasts, however, unlike the latter, it has the ability to record broadcasts. Users have the opportunity to receive donations from listeners for them. The service is available on both iOS and Android. 

 
 According to Andreev, the development of the project began in late February - early March 2020, and the first launch of the application took place in the United States. Former employees from the British office of Badoo participated in the development of the service, now 20 people are involved in the creation of the project, of which 10 are developers. In a month or two, Andreev plans to start monetizing the service.

 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/osnovatel-badoo-obiavil-o-zapuske-v-rossii-servisa-dlia-audioefirov-stereo/">Original (in Russian)</a>

Forbes

The founder of Badoo announced the launch of the Stereo audio broadcasting service in Russia

ComNews

The Ministry of Construction proposed to conduct an experiment in Moscow on the implementation of digital innovations in construction

The manufacturer of a low-code platform for process management and CRM, the Creatio group of companies, which includes Terrasoft, has attracted minority investments in the amount of $68 million to develop its business in the international market. 

 
 The funds received will be used to further accelerate expansion abroad, strengthen R&amp;D and actively develop the partner ecosystem in 110 countries of the world. Volition Capital was the lead investor. The co-investor is the Horizon Capital fund.

 
 According to the company, citing analysts, the volume of the global market for low-code platforms will reach $187 billion by 2030.

 
 Contacts:


 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/katerina.kostereva">
Katerina Kostereva</a>, Co-founder and CEO of Creatio&nbsp;&nbsp;

 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/gk-creatio-privlekla-68-mln-dlia-razvitiia-na-mezhdunarodnom-rynke/">Original (in Russian)</a>

Terrasoft

Creatio Group raised $68 million for further international development and expansion

Forbes has compiled a rating of the top 30 most expensive companies on the Runet, and Yandex became the leader for the third year in a row. The value of the Internet holding reached $22.98 billion, having increased by more than 57% compared to 2020. A year earlier, the growth was about 36%.

 
 Other companies included in the Forbes rating:

<ul>
 <li>Wildberries - $14.52 billion;</li>
</ul>

<ul>
 <li>Ozon - $10.5 billion;</li>
</ul>

<ul>
 <li>Mail.ru Group - $6.08 billion;</li>
</ul>

<ul>
 <li>Avito - $4.9 billion;</li>
</ul>

<ul>
 <li>1C - $2.28 billion;</li>
</ul>

<ul>
 <li>HeadHunter - $1.6 billion;</li>
</ul>

<ul>
 <li>Delivery Club - $1.52 billion;</li>
</ul>

<ul>
 <li>AliExpress Russia - $1.1 billion;</li>
</ul>

<ul>
 <li>SKB Kontur - $657 million;</li>
</ul>

<ul>
 <li>Positive Technologies - $580 million.</li>
</ul>

 
 The rating includes companies whose revenue is generated on the Internet. The list does not include organizations that receive more than 50% of their revenue abroad or which have less than 50% of users in Russia.

 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.forbes.ru/biznes-photogallery/421235-30-samyh-dorogih-kompaniy-runeta-reyting-forbes">Rating of the most expensive companies on the Runet (in Russian)</a>

 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/iandeks-stoimostiu-22-98-mlrd-stal-samoi-dorogoi-kompaniei-runeta/">Original (in Russian)</a>

Yandex worth $22.98 billion became the most expensive Internet company on the Runet

ICT.Moscow

Tech in Moscow #24 (15 - 21 February 2021)

<a href="https://ict.moscow/en/cards/?tags=Selectel" target="_blank">Selectel</a>, Russian provider of IT infrastructure and data center services, has completed its debut placement of a 3 billion rubles (over $ 40 million) bond issue on the Moscow Exchange.

 
 The collection of applications for the issue took place on February 18, technical placement and the start of trading are scheduled for February 25. The coupon rate is set at 8.5% per annum, taking into account the semi-annual coupon payment, it corresponds to a yield of 8.68% per annum, the company added. The circulation period of the issue is three years. 

 
 According to Oleg Lyubimov, CEO of Selectel, the company plans to use the funds raised to build new data centers, purchase high-performance equipment and develop new IT products.

 
 Contacts:

 
 <a href="https://www.facebook.com/lev.leviev" target="_blank">Lev Leviev</a>, Founder of Selectel

 
 <a href="https://ict.moscow/news/selectel-privlekla-bolee-40-mln-cherez-razmeshchenie-obligatsii-na-mosbirzhe/" target="_blank">Original (in Russian)</a>

VC.ru

The Russian network of data centers Selectel attracted more than $40 million through the placement of bonds on the Moscow Exchange

Russia has proposed to revise the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic for the development of unmanned vehicles. Russia and seven other European countries (Belgium, Luxembourg, Portugal, France, Finland, Switzerland and Sweden) spoke with this initiative at the UN Economic and Social Council. According to the current version of the Convention, the use of unmanned vehicles is prohibited on public roads.

 
 The authors of the initiative consider it necessary to introduce into the document the concept of "automated driving system", a software and hardware complex that dynamically controls the car. They also propose to add a clause that an automated system can be recognised by a driver if the car meets the technical and operational requirements of the states that have recognized the amendments.

 
 Summing up the results of 2020, the representative of Yandex.Self-Driving Cars shared with ICT.Moscow the expectations that in the new year in Russia (which, unlike the United States and China, ratified the Vienna Convention) "will take progressive measures that create a favorable environment for the further development of technology."&nbsp;

 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/rossiia-predlozhila-peresmotret-venskuiu-konventsiiu-dlia-razvitiia-bespilotnykh-avtomobilei/">Original (in Russian)</a>

<h2>
 
</h2>

Vedomosti

Russia proposed to revise the Vienna Convention for the development of unmanned vehicles

In 2021, MTS will install Huawei equipment with 5G-ready functionality in Moscow, dismantling all Nokia base stations. This was announced by&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/inessa.galaktionova">Inessa Galaktionova</a>, First Vice President for Telecommunications Business of the company.

 
 According to her, MTS plans to build 6.5 thousand base stations, which will be 2.5 times more than in 2020. Most of the facilities will be built in the Novomoskovsk and Troitsk administrative districts, as well as in Khimki, Mytishchi, Balashikha and Krasnogorsk. The company estimates the total capital expenditures in the capital region for 2021 at 16 billion rubles (equivalent to $216 million).

 
 According to ComNews, the press service of Huawei is not providing a comment on the initiative.

 
 The publication also requested information from other participants in the telecom market. Beeline said that they completed the modernization of existing equipment in Moscow and the region in 2019 and focused their efforts on the construction of new infrastructure in 2020. According to Tele2, the operator has a state-of-the-art network in Moscow, which initially develops on Ericsson 5G-ready equipment. Megafon declined to comment.

 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/mts-ustanovit-v-moskve-vmesto-bazovykh-stantsii-nokia-5g-ready-oborudovanie-huawei/">Original (in Russian)</a>

MTS will install 5G-ready Huawei equipment instead of Nokia base stations in Moscow

Russia is placed third in terms of the number of patent applications filed in the period from 2017 to 2020 on blockchain technology in finance and logistics areas.&nbsp;

 
 The USA and China are the leading countries in the number of developments in these areas and the number of patent applications. The largest number of patent families are owned by Alibaba Group Holding LTD (China), Alibaba Group Service LTD (Hong Kong), Alipay Lab Singapore PTE LTD (Singapore), SAP SE (Germany).

 
 The blockchain patent landscape was developed by the Skolkovo Intellectual Property Center. Based on the analysis results, 357 patent families were identified in the financial and logistics areas for the period 2006-2020. 

 
 Contacts:

 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001825106530">Natalia Dybko</a>, Deputy General Director of the I-Teco Innovation Center

 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/ai-teko-rossiia-zaniala-trete-mesto-po-chislu-patentnykh-zaiavok-na-blokchein-tekhnologii/">Original (in Russian)</a>

CNews

I-Teco: Russia placed third in terms of the number of patent applications for blockchain technologies

The Ministry of Transport of Russian Federation proposed using biometrics at airports to identify passengers and artificial intelligence when processing data to simplify transport procedures. This was reported by RBC with reference to the ministry's digital transformation program. The department expects to introduce technologies in 6% of airports by the end of 2023, and&nbsp;in 15% with additional funding. (12 and 30 airports, respectively, if their total number in the country does not change).

 
 According to the source of the publication on the biometrics market, at least five airports outside Moscow are negotiating the introduction of a face recognition system, two of them will be connected to this system in the near future. 

 
 Expenses required specifically for equipping airports with biometrics are not specified in the program, but 585.2 million rubles (equivalent to $7.9 millions) are allocated from the budget for the development of the Unified State Information System for Transport Security, and if the "development scenario" is implemented, another 3.8 billion rubles ($51 thousand) will be required. To use the new systems, a Russian citizen will need to submit data to the Unified Biometric System in one of the bank branches, as well as consent to the use of biometrics for specific purposes.

 
 Last week, Vedomosti announced the start of the implementation of a biometric control system at Domodedovo and Sheremetyevo airports. According to the newspaper, automated turnstiles (eGates) have already been installed in the customs control zone, international flights departure gallery and all boarding gates of Domodedovo, and in the near future these areas will be equipped with video cameras for face recognition. For security purposes, Sheremetyevo uses biometric data processing technologies.&nbsp;&nbsp; 

 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/mintrans-predlozhil-massovo-vnedriat-sistemy-identifikatsii-passazhirov-v-rossiiskikh-aeroportakh/">Original (in Russian)</a>

The Ministry of Transport proposed to massively introduce passenger identification systems at Russian airports

Glonass Mobile, an affiliated company with Glonass, has received a virtual mobile operator license (MVNO), which is valid until 2026 throughout Russia, Vedomosti writes with reference to the Roskomnadzor register.

 
 According to Yaroslav Svintsov, Executive Director of Glonass Mobile, the company will distribute eSIMs of other operators in the market of corporate solutions and will earn on connections used for the Internet of Things (IoT). 

 
 “We plan to make money by downloading profiles to the end devices of subscribers at a fixed cost for the operator, and we are also ready to ensure their safe storage and processing on our platform” Svintsov explained to the publication. To this end, the company has created a special platform for connecting eSIM devices, including those working on the Internet of things, to cellular networks. The company does not disclose investments in the project.

 
 According to SPARK-Interfax, 34% of Glonass Mobile belongs to Glonass, 49% belongs to Ksenia Svintsova, General Director of Glonass Mobile, and 17% belongs to Valery Sudakov. According to the source of Vedomosti, in the future, Glonass may increase its share in Glonass Mobile to a control one.

 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/affilirovannaia-s-glonass-kompaniia-zaimetsia-internetom-veshchei/">Original (in Russian)</a>

Glonass Mobile received a license of a virtual mobile operator (MVNO) and will be engaged in  IoT services and technologies

Skolkovo Ventures sold its stake in Elementaree food and recipe delivery service. The amount of the deal was not disclosed.

 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/maxim.basov">Maxim Basov</a>, General Director of Rusagro, became the new owner and now his stake will exceed 15%. He will become the second largest shareholder of Elementaree after&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/OZ1010">Olga Zinovieva</a>, company's founder.

 
 Earlier, Basov acquired 5% of the service from the first investor of the project, American financier Lawrence Lepard, and became a member of the company's board of directors.

 
 According to Infoline, at the end of 2020, Elementaree ranked fourth among ready-to-eat food delivery services with a turnover of 900 million rubles (equivalent to $12.1 million), VC.ru <a target="_blank" href="https://vc.ru/food/209482-performance-group-uderzhala-liderstvo-sredi-servisov-gotovogo-pitaniya-po-oborotu-v-2020-godu-infoline">writes</a>.

 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/skolkovo-ventures-prodala-svoiu-doliu-v-kompanii-elementaree/">Original (in Russian)</a>

Skolkovo Ventures sold its stake in Elementaree food  delivery service to the head of Rusagro

Russia took 41st place among 152 countries in the world in terms of the development of online commerce, gaining 76.6 points. This is evidenced by data from the report of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Online Commerce (UNCTAD).

 
 The rating was compiled based on the B2C E-commerce Index. It included four indicators that are directly related to online shopping:&nbsp;

<ul>
 <li>proportion of residents with mobile payment accounts;</li>
</ul>

<ul>
 <li>&nbsp;the share of Internet users in the structure of the population;</li>
</ul>

<ul>
 <li>reliability of mail;</li>
</ul>

<ul>
 <li>availability of secure internet servers.</li>
</ul>

 
 Each indicator was assessed on a 100-point scale, and the arithmetic mean of four indicators was the final index.

 
 Last year, Russia was ranked 40th in the ranking. This year Switzerland took the first place (95.9 points), the second - the Netherlands (95.8 points). Denmark closed the top three (94.5 points).

 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://unctad.org/system/files/official-document/tn_unctad_ict4d17_en.pdf">The UNCTAD B2C E-commerce Index 2020</a>

 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/doklad-konferentsii-oon-rossiia-zaniala-41-e-mesto-sredi-152-stran-po-razvitiiu-onlain-torgovli/">Original (in Russian)</a>

Report of the UN Conference: Russia took 41st place among 152 countries for the development of online commerce

mos.ru

An AI-based chatbot has been launched in Moscow clinics to interview patients before seeing a doctor

Sberbank has acquired 100% of Yo-Engineering from the Belarusian Keiji Impex. The transaction amount is not disclosed. The team and its competencies will work on SberAutoTech&nbsp; developments in the field of unmanned vehicles. 

 
 Since 2010, Yo-engineering has been developing the Yo-mobile hybrid car. The closure of the project was announced in April 2014. As RBC <a target="_blank" href="https://www.rbc.ru/spb_sz/26/06/2015/5592b7589a7947f6f764ad25">reported</a>, investments in the project were estimated at 260 million euros.

<hr />
 
 In early February, Cognitive Pilot <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/cognitive-pilot-freezes-the-development-of-autonomous-systems-for-cars/">announced</a> that it is freezing the development of autonomous vehicle control systems.&nbsp;

 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/sberbank-kupil-rabotavshuiu-nad-io-mobilem-kompaniiu-io-inzhiniring/">Original (in Russian)</a>

Kommersant

Sberbank bought Yo-Engineering, the developer of hybrid car Yo-mobile

The British data center operator IXcellerate plans to invest over $500 million in the construction of a network of data centers in Moscow.

 
 It is expected that the first 1.2 thousand racks will be commissioned in Biryulyovo in the second half of 2021. The company expects to launch another data center for another 2 thousand racks in Altufyevo by 2022. The total number of racks in new data centers will exceed 20 thousand.

 
 According to the managing director of IXcellerate Konstantin Borman, the project will become the largest in Europe. Stanislav Mirin, leading consultant of iKS-Consulting, noted that the project will focus more on the commercial rather than the public sector.

 
 According to iKS-Consulting, in 2020 the total number of racks in Russia <a href="https://ixcellerate.com/opublikovana-karta-kommercheskih-data-czentrov-rossii-2020-ixcellerate-na-vtorom-meste-1/" target="_blank">reached</a> approximately 50 thousand, and the revenue of commercial data centers amounted to 43.8 billion rubles. 

 
 <a href="https://ict.moscow/news/britanskii-ixcellerate-vlozhit-bolee-500-mln-v-stroitelstvo-seti-data-tsentrov-v-moskve/" target="_blank">Original (in Russian)</a>

British IXcellerate will invest over $500 million in the construction of a network of data centers in Moscow

Alfa-Bank will&nbsp; become the sole owner of the Netmonet cashless tipping service. This is reported by Forbes with reference to two sources close to the bank.

 
 Co-owner of the service <a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100011461868426">Georgy Vysotsky</a> said that Netmonet "is preparing for an investment deal",&nbsp; which will be closed by the end of February. Details of the deals are not yet disclosed.

 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/alena.reznichenko.90">Elena Reznichenko</a>, a spokesman for Alfa-Bank, declined to comment on the possible deal, but noted that the bank "is constantly looking for new partners, especially among fintech projects, to provide customers with the best innovative services on the market." Netmonet service was launched in the summer of 2019. It allows visitors to catering establishments to pay tips with a bank card using the QR code on the check.&nbsp;&nbsp;

 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/alfa-bank-kupit-servis-beznalichnykh-chaevykh-netmonet/">Original (in Russian)</a>

Alfa-Bank will buy Netmonet cashless tipping service

For the first time since 2014, Moscow <a target="_blank" href="https://www.fdiintelligence.com/article/79334">entered</a> the top of the most attractive cities for investors in the world Global Cities of the Future ranking, taking 22nd place in it. The rating was compiled by the fDi Intelligence division of the Financial Times. 

 
 The Russian capital bypassed San Francisco, Vilnius and Montreal. The first place in the list was taken by Singapore, the second - London, in the third place is located Dubai. Singapore came out on top in both economic potential and convenience for doing business.&nbsp;

 
 The improvement of the city position in the rating is associated with a favorable environment for doing business, a comprehensive system of measures to support investors, including foreign ones, as well as prompt interaction with business and the availability of special mechanisms for profitable localization of production. 

 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.fdiintelligence.com/article/79334">Global Cities of the Future</a>

<div>
 <img alt="" data-openpopup="0"
 src="https://ict.moscow/static/1200x/047990f1-8a17-5094-86e3-cd6de5c4c814.png">
</div>

 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/moskva-voshla-v-top-25-samykh-privlekatelnykh-dlia-investorov-gorodov/">Original (in Russian)</a>

TAdviser

Moscow entered the top of the most attractive cities for investors in the Global Cities of the Future ranking

Electric scooter rental service Whoosh raised 1.9 billion rubles (equivalent to $25.7 million) from the pre-IPO of VTB Capital Investments and Otkritie Capital. The company expects to use this money to increase the park in the cities of presence and launch in new territories, develop systems for its own sharing platform, IoT module and other IT products.&nbsp;&nbsp;

 
 Now the service park has more than 10 thousand scooters. The company plans to triple it over the season. Where exactly is not yet reported. However, it is known that new services will be located in Russia. Today Whoosh operates in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Sochi and nine other cities. According to our own data, the number of registered users of the service in 2020 approached 2 million people.

 
 According to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/talerka">Andrey Azarov</a>, co-owner of the URent electric scooter rental service, in 2020 this market in Russia amounted to about 2 billion rubles. The expert predicts that in 2021 it could reach 10 billion rubles (equivalent to $135.7 million). 

 
 Contacts:

 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/e.bayandin">Egor Bayandin</a>, founder of Whoosh

 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/startap-whoosh-napravit-1-9-mlrd-rub-na-razvitie-sherengovoi-platformy/">Original (in Russian)</a>

Electric scooter rental service Whoosh raised $25,7 million for development of the sharing platform

The Ministry of Digital Development&nbsp;with the participation of Russian IT companies has prepared a second package of measures to support the industry. This was reported by Prime with reference to Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko.

 
 According to him, the document provides for about 50 initiatives. More than 250 representatives of IT companies took part in its development. Among the measures included are the approval of plans for import substitution by state-owned companies and the transition to domestic software; introduction of fiscal incentives for the implementation of domestic software and hardware and software systems; co-financing of expenses of IT companies for new developments and their pilot implementation, and a number of others.

 
 Last week, the government approved amendments to the law "On compulsory pension insurance in the Russian Federation" providing for an indefinite reduction in the rate of insurance premiums for compulsory pension insurance for IT companies to 6% from the current 8% starting in 2021. It is planned to establish a similar support measure for organisations that design and develop electronic and component base products, as well as electronic (radio-electronic) products.

 
 In turn, Maksut Shadayev, the head of the Russian Ministry of Digital Development, specified that the government plans to approve the second package in March. The document is aimed at stimulating domestic demand for Russian products. According to him, in 2020 tax breaks are in high demand by IT companies. “After the adoption of the law, we received 1.9 thousand applications for accreditation of companies, which is required for the use of benefits,” the minister said.

 
 The law on conducting a "tax maneuver" in IT was&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/razrabotchikam-predlozhili-manevr/">signed</a> by the President on July 31, 2020. The maneuver assumes a reduction in the insurance premium from 14% to 7.6%, and the income tax rate from 20% to 3%.

 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/mintsifry-podgotovilo-vtoroi-paket-mer-podderzhki-rossiiskikh-it-kompanii/">Original (in Russian)</a>

PRIME

The Ministry of Digital Development has prepared the second package of measures to support Russian IT companies

The weekly observer of Moscow's tech stories

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

 
 main news about Moscow's projects, developers and technologies

<ul>
 <li>Moscow startup Hot-WiFi <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/moscow-startup-hot-wifi-announced-its-entry-into-the-us-market/" target="_blank">announced</a> its entry into the US market (Cards of <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/cards/?tags=Hot_WiFi" target="_blank">Hot WiFi</a>)</li>
</ul>

<ul>
 <li>European startup media site Sifted <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/european-startup-media-site-sifted-names-ifarm-in-the-list-of-startups-to-watch-in-2021/" target="_blank">included</a> iFarm in the list of startups to watch in 2021 (Card of <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/card/ifarm/" target="_blank">iFarm</a>)</li>
</ul>

<ul>
 <li>Aivarix service <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/aivarix-service-received-a-patent-for-a-system-for-automatic-diagnosis-of-vascular-pathologies/" target="_blank">received</a> a patent for a system for automatic diagnosis of vascular pathologies (Card of <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/card/aivarix/" target="_blank">Aivarix</a>)</li>
</ul>

 <div>
 <a class="image_link" target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/moscow-ranked-third-among-cities-in-the-world-for-innovations-against-covid-19/">
 <img alt="" data-openpopup="0"
 src="https://ict.moscow/static/1200x/cd8dba26-8282-55b7-8a5e-0104aad4e1f5.png">
 </a>
 </div>
 
 
 

<ul>
 <li>Moscow <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/moscow-ranked-third-among-cities-in-the-world-for-innovations-against-covid-19/" target="_blank">ranked</a> third among cities in the world for innovations against COVID-19</li>
</ul>

<ul>
 <li>AI system for analyzing endoscopic tests is <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/ai-system-for-analyzing-endoscopic-tests-is-being-tested-in-moscow/" target="_blank">being tested</a> in Moscow</li>
</ul>

<ul>
 <li>Yandex <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/yandex-plans-to-launch-a-non-cash-payment-service-yandex-pay/" target="_blank">plans</a> to release a non-cash payment service Yandex Pay (Cards of <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/cards/?tags=Yandex" target="_blank">Yandex</a>)</li>
</ul>

<ul>
 <li>MTS <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/mts-launched-a-video-broadcast-with-data-analytics-over-the-5g-network-at-the-vdnh-skating-rink/" target="_blank">launched</a> a video broadcast with data analytics over the 5G network at the VDNH skating rink (Cards of <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/cards/?tags=MTS" target="_blank">MTS</a>)</li>
</ul>

<ul>
 <li>LikeVR <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/likevr-became-a-member-of-an-international-software-vendors-partnership-program-by-oculus/" target="_blank">became</a> a member of an international software vendors' partnership program by Oculus</li>
</ul>

<div class="incut-block incut-block-text-small-size">
 GOV AGENDA
 The Ministry of Digital Development <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/the-ministry-of-digital-development-allowed-to-include-foreign-programs-in-the-register-of-domestic-software/" target="_blank">allowed</a> to include foreign programs in the register of domestic software
 </div>
 
 <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/" target="_blank">More news →</a>

<hr />
<h2>
 INVESTMENT DEALS
</h2>

<ul>
 <li>Sberbank <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/sberbank-acquired-45-of-eapteka-by-investing-76-million/" target="_blank">acquired</a> 45% of Eapteka by investing $76 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/research/digital-civility-index-2021/" target="_blank">Microsoft</a>: Russia was ranked 31st in the annual Digital Civility Index (DCI) →</li>
</ul>

<ul>
 <li><a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/comnews-research-russian-vsat-market-grew-by-9-in-2020/" target="_blank">ComNews Research</a>: Russian VSAT market grew by 9% in 2020 → </li>
</ul>

<ul>
 <li><a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/idc-the-russian-it-market-in-2020-remained-at-the-level-of-2019/" target="_blank">IDC</a>: the Russian IT market in 2020 remained at the level of 2019 → </li>
</ul>

<ul>
 <li><a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/merlion-russian-segment-of-gaming-products-grew-by-50-in-2020/" target="_blank">Merlion</a>: Russian gaming products segment grew by 50% and amounted to more than $161 million in 2020→</li>
</ul>

<ul>
 <li><a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/telecomdaily-consumer-cloud-storage-services-market-shrank-9-in-2020/" target="_blank">TelecomDaily</a>: consumer cloud storage services market shrank 9% in 2020 →  </li>
</ul>

<ul>
 <li><a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/changellenge-it-tops-the-list-of-the-most-in-demand-industries-for-university-graduates/" target="_blank">Changellenge</a>: IT tops the list of the most in-demand industries for university graduates → .</li>
</ul>

 
 <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/research/" target="_blank">More analytics →</a> 

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

 <div>
 <a class="image_link" target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/mediatrends-2020/">
 <img alt="" data-openpopup="0"
 src="https://ict.moscow/static/1200x/1c839440-3da2-5492-ac33-847bb2a17bf0.png">
 </a>
 </div>

 
 ICT.Moscow has conducted a monitoring of key media trends in IT in Russia and presented key findings of the 2020. Technologies and technology areas selected for media trends monitoring were mentioned more than 776 thousand times in 2020, which is slightly less than in 2019 (decreased by 5.7%). Artificial intelligence (AI) was the undisputed leader in terms of mentions throughout the year: technology was constantly on the agenda, and the media interest in it was steadily growing.

 
 The Russian media trends in IT in 2020 were discussed with the editors-in-chief of several Russian technology media.

 
 <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/mediatrends-2020/" target="_blank">Read full article →</a>

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

 
 a showcase of some media monitoring solutions

 
 <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/card/brand-analytics/" target="_blank">Brand Analytics</a>

 
 System for monitoring and analysis of social media and mass media

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

 
 Media and social media monitoring system

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

 
 Real-time media monitoring and analysis system

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

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

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

<ul>
 <li>Alexey Kornya, Chairman of the Management Board, President and CEO of MTS | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100036820224268" target="_blank">Facebook</a></li>
</ul>

<ul>
 <li>Sergey Shayakhmetov, CBDO and Co-Founder of Aivarix | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sergey.shayakhmetov" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://ru.linkedin.com/in/sergey-shayakhmetov-2335452" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></li>
</ul>

<ul>
 <li>Maxim Chizhov, Co-Founder and CEO of iFarm | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/chizhov.maksim" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/maximchizhov/" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></li>
</ul>

<ul>
 <li>Dmitry Stepanenko,  CEO of Hot WiFi | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/dmitiyhotwifi" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://ru.linkedin.com/in/%D0%B4%D0%BC%D0%B8%D1%82%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%B9-%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B5%D0%BF%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%BA%D0%BE-573357bb" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></li>
</ul>

<ul>
 <li>Yuriy Slatin, CEO of LikeVR | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100010922137028" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://ru.linkedin.com/in/yuriy-slatin-92600976" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></li>
</ul>

<ul>
 <li>Anton Buzdalin, CEO of SberApteka | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/anton.buzdalin" target="_blank">Facebook</a> </li>
</ul>

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

Tech in Moscow #23 (8 - 14 February 2021)

Moscow-based agency for the development of XR-solutions <a target="_blank" href="https://likevr.ru/">LikeVR</a>&nbsp; has become a member of the Oculus software vendors' partnership program (parent organization is Facebook).

 
 The program is designed to help companies distribute VR solutions developed for Oculus business products. In particular, the Moscow project became available to cooperate with experts from the US company, to obtain information about new tools for VR developers, new strategies for entering various markets.&nbsp;

 
 In total, the OCULUS list contains about 350 partner companies from the virtual reality development industry from around the world. There are only two Russian companies on the list - LikeVR and Moscow-based VRT LLC.

 
 Contacts:

 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100010922137028">Yuriy Slatin</a>, CEO at LikeVR

 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/kompaniia-likevr-stala-uchastnikom-partnerskoi-programmy-oculus/">Original (in Russian)</a>

LikeVR

LikeVR became a member of an international software vendors' partnership program by Oculus

Russian segment of gaming products grew by 50% and amounted to more than 12 billion rubles (equivalent to $161 million) by the end of 2020. Such data is provided by the distributor Merlion.

 
 Aceronline.ru online store, which is part of the group, showed an increase of 37% yoy. Sales volumes increased due to consumer activity during the period of self-isolation, as well as due to the expansion of the segment of gaming accessories and laptops.

 
 Also, a great demand for goods for gamers was recorded by the Positronic franchise project. At the end of 2020, revenue increased by 58% compared to 2019. The most sought-after products included laptops, peripherals and video cards.&nbsp;

 
 According to Konstantin Dessler, Distribution Director of the Own Brands Division, the growth in sales of goods for gamers is associated, among other things, with the active development of the industry as a whole. “For example, the demand for computer games has remained high over the past five years. This happened thanks to the recognition of esports as a sports discipline in 2016, as well as the attraction of sponsors to this industry", Dessler said.

 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/merlion-segment-geimerskoi-produktsii-v-rossii-v-2020-godu-vyros-na-50/">Original (in Russian)</a>

Market in Brief