Wikium educational online platform attracted investments to scale the project.

 
 Maxim Basov, co-owner and general director of Rusagro, has become a new investor and main shareholder of the company. He bought out the share of the Rukard Group of Companies and a small part of the share of the founder and CEO of the company Sergey Belan. The amount of the deal was not disclosed. However, it is noted that after the close of the round, the EdTech project received an estimate of $15 million.Thus, the amount of Basov's investments could have amounted to about $9 million.

 
 In the future, Wikium plans to develop cooperation with representatives of Russian science and create new products within the platform. Within a year, the project intends to launch programs for mental health.

 
 At the end of 2020, Wikium's revenue amounted to 170 million rubles (equivalent to $2.2 million) and the number of users increased to 6.5 million. Among the company's clients are Rosbank, Mercedes-Benz Russia, Sovcombank, Siemens Finance, Rockwool Russia.

 
 <a href="https://ict.moscow/news/vikium-privlek-investitsii-dlia-masshtabirovaniia-proekta/" target="_blank">Original (in Russian)</a>

RB.ru

Wikium EdTech platfrom attracted investments to scale the project

According to MTS, Moscow's small and medium-sized businesses in 2020 for the first time overtook large companies in terms of growth in cloud service connections.&nbsp; 

 
 Compared to 2019, the growth of connections among SMEs has doubled. Large companies have increased their cloud usage by 1.3 times over the same period.

 
 52% of small and medium-sized business owners showed interest in services that help to quickly launch digital projects and develop online sales. First of all, we are talking about infrastructure services (IaaS), which allow you to rent virtual servers and place Internet sites, online stores or CRM solutions in the cloud. 

 
 Another 17% of business representatives showed interest in services for remote work and the organisation of virtual workplaces. At the same time, more than 13% of users were interested in cloud solutions in the field of information security services. The remaining 18% came from data backup and recovery solutions, corporate and specialized services for developers, and cloud IT outsourcing services.&nbsp; 

 
 More than 35% of the total number of service connections fell on companies from the IT sector.

 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/mts-kompanii-malogo-i-srednego-biznesa-iz-moskvy-stali-chashche-podkliuchat-oblachnye-servisy/">Original (in Russian)</a>

Content Review

Research: small and medium-sized businesses from Moscow began to connect to cloud services more often

RZD Technologies (a subsidiary of RZD or Russian Railways), together with the Moscow developer Robin, will create the first Russian marketplace for robotic software solutions.

 
 The project is scheduled to launch by July. According to Pavel Borchenko, General Director of Robin, the company expects that at least 20 companies will place their offers on the marketplace. 

 
 The development is carried out within the framework of the Cloud Factory of Software Robots project. For these purposes, the Skolkovo Technopark Foundation allocated grant support in the amount of 80 million rubles (equivalent to $1 million). 

 
 Thanks to the marketplace, market participants will be able to avoid spending on creating their own robotization center, and on the site it will be possible to purchase a ready-made solution or place an order for the creation of an atypical software robot.

 
 In addition to the marketplace, the project includes a platform for operating software robots, as well as a module for their development. The project system is based on Robin's solutions. The system will work on four products - Robin Studio, Robin Robot, Robin Orchestrator, Robin Cloud Factory.

 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/rzhd-tekhnologii-i-robin-sozdadut-marketpleis-robotizirovannykh-programmnykh-reshenii/">Original (in Russian)</a>

Vedomosti

RZD Technologies and Robin will create the first Russian marketplace for robotic software solutions

Estonian taxi service Bolt, already operating in St. Petersburg, will launch a franchise program in Moscow and Russian regions to expand its services. The company plans to find one partner per country, but may consider working with several suppliers in different cities.

 
 In exchange for a percentage of the proceeds, Bolt partners will be able to use its brand and develop one or more services: taxis, food delivery, e-scooter and e-bike rentals. They also plan to do marketing for customer support, hiring drivers and couriers, the company added.

 
 Bolt (up to March 2019 Taxify) was created in 2013 as a taxi aggregator, entered the food delivery market in July 2019, and launched e-bike rental in July 2020. Of the Russian cities, the taxi service is still operating only in St. Petersburg.

 
 According to the Moscow Department of Transport, Yandex.Taxi accounts for 70.8% in the capital, and Citymobil has another 20.2%.

 
 According to a <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/bank-of-america-the-cost-of-taxi-rides-from-online-aggregators-increased-by-50-70/">report</a>&nbsp;by analysts from Bank of America, the cost of taxi rides in Russia for the largest online aggregators by the end of 2020 increased by 50-70% compared to May-June. In Moscow and the regions, prices increased by an average of 56% for Yandex.Taxi and 68% for Citymobil.

 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/estonskii-servis-taksi-bolt-obiavil-o-poiske-partnerov-dlia-zapuska-v-moskve-i-regionakh/">Original (in Russian)</a>

Kommersant

Estonian taxi service Bolt has announced the search for partners to launch in Moscow and the regions

<a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/cards/?tags=VisionLabs">VisionLabs</a> and Examus (Skolkovo residents) have developed a distance examination solution based on computer vision LUNA Exam. The product includes an Examus monitoring system and biometric verification when passing an exam or testing based on VisionLabs recognition and analysis algorithms.

 
 The system works as follows: to register an account, a student must go to the website of the online proctoring service or the university's learning management system, enter his e-mail, upload a scan of his passport and take a picture on a computer webcam. The system will automatically read all the data from the document and compare the selfie and the image in the passport. If they match, then registration is successful. The companies also plan to add an entrance by unique identifiers of large Russian ecosystems. This will allow you to log in without a separate pre-registration on the portal.

 
 When passing the exam, users will need to enter their mail and look at the webcam. LUNA Exam will compare a face in a frame with a photo from a database of biometric templates. In case of successful verification, the student will be redirected to the Examus page to start passing the exam or testing. If you try to replace the image, access to the system will be blocked. To protect against the use of a printed photo or video from the screen of another device, LUNA Exam uses Liveness algorithms that check a real person in front of the camera or not.

 
 Contacts:

 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/alexander.khanin.3">Alexander Khanin</a> - CEO of VisionLabs

 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/visionlabs-i-examus-razrabotali-sistemu-dlia-udalennoi-sdachi-ekzamenov/">Original (in Russian)</a>

Skolkovo

VisionLabs and Examus have developed a distance examination solution

Mobile Internet traffic of Telegram and WhatsApp messengers in Moscow in December 2020 and September 9, 2021 became equal for the first time.&nbsp;

 
 In other cities, WhatsApp leads both in the number of users and in terms of traffic. So, from January to December 2020, WhatsApp traffic in Russia grew by almost 40%, and Telegram traffic - more than 60 times.

 
 According to forecasts of MTS analysts, in 2021, the volume of Telegram traffic in Russia will continue to grow at a faster pace than WhatsApp due to the fact that Telegram attracts a user audience with content and replaces media sites and news portals.

 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/mts-telegram-i-whatsapp-sravnialis-po-obemu-mobilnogo-trafika-v-moskve/">Original (in Russian)</a>

PRIME

MTS: Telegram and WhatsApp have become equal in terms of the volume of mobile traffic in Moscow

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/fare-payment-system-based-on-facial-recognition-face-pay-will-be-implemented-at-the-ticket-offices-of-the-moscow-metro/">
 <img alt="" data-openpopup="0"
 src="https://ict.moscow/static/1200x/a92cca7b-21a8-5749-9aab-d9bc89393daa.png">
 </a>
 </div>
 
 
 

<ul>
 <li>Fare payment system based on facial recognition Face Pay will be <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/fare-payment-system-based-on-facial-recognition-face-pay-will-be-implemented-at-the-ticket-offices-of-the-moscow-metro/" target="_blank">implemented</a> at the ticket offices of the Moscow metro</li>
</ul>

<ul>
 <li>Sberbank <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/sberbank-has-filed-an-application-to-register-its-own-cryptocurrency/" target="_blank">has filed</a> an application to register its own cryptocurrency</li>
</ul>

<ul>
 <li>Technologies of VisionLabs and Smart Engines have been <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/technologies-of-visionlabs-and-smart-engines-have-been-implemented-in-one-of-the-uae-banks/" target="_blank">implemented</a> in one of the UAE banks (Cards of <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/cards/?tags=VisionLabs" target="_blank">VisionLabs</a> and <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/cards/?tags=Smart_Engines" target="_blank">Smart Engines</a>)</li>
</ul>

<ul>
 <li>First tests of unmanned flying taxis <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/first-tests-of-unmanned-flying-taxis-took-place-in-the-luzhniki-stadium-in-moscow/" target="_blank">took place</a> in the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow</li>
</ul>

<ul>
 <li>Charity service on the official portal of the Moscow Mayor and Moscow Government <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/charity-service-on-mos-ru-wins-big-innovation-awards/" target="_blank">wins</a> Big Innovation Awards</li>
</ul>

<div class="incut-block incut-block-text-small-size">
 GOV AGENDA
 Ministry of Digital Development <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/ministry-of-digital-development-plans-to-conduct-an-experiment-to-replace-driving-licenses-with-qr-codes/" target="_blank">plans</a> to conduct an experiment to replace driving licenses with QR codes
 </div>
 
 <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/" target="_blank">More news →</a>

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

<ul>
 <li>Softline <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/softline-acquires-95-of-indian-cloud-services-provider-embee-software/" target="_blank">acquires</a> 95% of Indian cloud services provider Embee Software (Cards of <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/cards/?tags=Softline" target="_blank">Softline</a>)</li>
</ul>

<ul>
 <li>Motorica, developer of prostheses, <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/motorica-developer-of-prostheses-attracted-5-4-million-for-international-development/" target="_blank">attracted</a> $5.4 million for international development (Card of <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/cards/?tags=Motorica" target="_blank">Motorica</a>)</li>
</ul>

<ul>
 <li>Skyeer, developer of a cloud platform for controlling construction using geospatial data, <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/skyeer-developer-of-a-cloud-platform-for-controlling-construction-using-geospatial-data-attracted-investment-for-the-development/" target="_blank">attracted investment</a> for the development (Card of <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/card/skyeer/" target="_blank">Skyeer</a>)</li>
</ul>

<ul>
 <li>The first resident of Skolkovo, Svetofor ed-tech project, <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/the-first-resident-of-skolkovo-svetofor-ed-tech-project-entered-the-moscow-exchange/" target="_blank">entered</a> the Moscow Exchange</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/activity-of-the-worlds-central-banks-in-the-study-of-blockchain-technology/" target="_blank">Mindsmith</a>: 74% of the world's central banks are interested in blockchain technology</li>
</ul>

<ul>
 <li><a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/acra-investments-in-the-development-of-5g-in-russia-until-2027-may-amount-to-13-5-15-billion/" target="_blank">ACRA</a>: investments in the development of 5G in Russia until 2027 may amount to $13.5 - 15 billion</li>
</ul>

<ul>
 <li><a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/research-effective-digital-transformation-can-bring-russia-up-to-520-billion/" target="_blank">Google &amp; RANEPA</a>: effective digital transformation can bring Russia up to $520 billion</li>
</ul>

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

 <div>
 <a class="image_link" target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/2020-ai-regulation/">
 <img alt="" data-openpopup="0"
 src="https://ict.moscow/static/1200x/e6cecc25-af94-52dd-80a7-7146bab65765.jpeg">
 </a>
 </div>

 
 Russian and foreign regulation processes in 2020 received a strong impetus for development: American, European and Russian regulators published and approved new documents, standards and data in the AI field, countries formulated new global goals and objectives for the development of the technology.

 
 ICT.Moscow talked with experts in the AI regulation, summed up the results of 2020 and found out about the possible vectors of development in 2021.

<div class="incut-block ">
 
 We are witnessing a change in the overall trend in regulation. Until 2020, the approaches to AI and its regulation were strategized, and every national strategy has a part on regulation and ethics. In some strategies it is a reference (paragraph or line), in other strategies - a section, and in some strategies it is a driving factor, as it is in Russia.
 
 
 
 
 
 In 2020, we observed the next stage, when experts started developing detailed regulation - not the acts themselves were adopted, but approaches towards the regulation of AI were being thoroughly developed. We see that different countries in the world have developed documents that shape vectors in regulation for the next five years.
 
 <div class="quote-owner">
 <div class="quote-owner__logo">
 <img alt="Andrey Neznamov&nbsp;" src="https://ict.moscow/static/ae4ddbcf-b2d2-506e-932f-9eda53afe77b.jpeg">
 </div >
 <div>
 
 <a href="https://www.facebook.com/avneznamov" target="_blank">
 Andrey Neznamov&nbsp;
 </a>
 
 Executive Director of the Data Research Center for Government Bodies of Sberbank
 </div>
 </div>
</div>
<div class="incut-block ">
 
 Many countries continue to create national concepts of artificial intelligence, megacities are creating strategies for the development of AI within the framework of smart cities. Thorough documents that contain specific approaches to the legal regulation of AI are also being developed. In general, regulators are paying increased attention to digital technologies and the Internet.
 
 <div class="quote-owner">
 <div class="quote-owner__logo">
 <img alt="Ivan Buturlin" src="https://ict.moscow/static/ffeeb0da-8ffe-5121-813d-f99032345c99.jpeg">
 </div >
 <div>
 
 <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ivan.buturlin" target="_blank">
 Ivan Buturlin
 </a>
 
 Head of Artificial Intelligence at the IT Department of Moscow Government
 </div>
 </div>
</div>
<div class="incut-block ">
 
 There have been many developments in the world regulation system this year. The first document on AI ethics - Recommendation on the ethics of Artificial Intelligence - is being developed at UNESCO. The Council of Europe is developing a document in the field of human rights in AI. Russia is actively involved in their development. The main global trends are shaped by the fact that more and more sites and platforms start to form a global position on AI.
 
 <div class="quote-owner">
 <div class="quote-owner__logo">
 <img alt="Rustam Tikhonov" src="https://ict.moscow/static/8c9f7ae3-1474-59da-83f4-ab6108973b29.jpeg">
 </div >
 <div>
 
 <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rustam.tikhonov" target="_blank">
 Rustam Tikhonov
 </a>
 
 Director of the Department of Strategic Development and Innovation of the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia
 </div>
 </div>
</div>
 
 <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/2020-ai-regulation/" target="_blank">Read full article → </a>

<hr />
<h2>
 AI CASES FROM RUSSIA
</h2>

 
 a showcase of some AI cases

 
 <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/projects/ai/?integrationId=600a9c8c316cf33790535622" target="_blank">Care Mentor AI </a>

 
 Detection of longitudinal flatfoot using X-ray images

 
 <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/projects/ai/?integrationId=600a9d8c5602110dbf41c1f2" target="_blank">Speech Technology Center</a>

 
 Implementing a chatbot for processing requests from passengers of the Moscow metro

 
 <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/projects/ai/?integrationId=600a9eb7112d1a2185303db2" target="_blank">Nornickel</a>

 
 Implementing an AI-based system to optimize nickel recovery

 
 <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/projects/ai/" style="" target="_blank">More AI cases → </a>

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

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

 
 Anton Nazarkin, International Development Director of VisionLabs | <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/anton-nazarkin-70701017/">LinkedIn</a>

 
 Nikita Arlazarov, CFO of Smart Engines | <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikita-arlazarov-849b8166/" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a>

 
 Alexander Atamanov, Head of Hoversurf | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AVAtamanov" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-atamanov-26b850ab" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a>

 
 Ilya Chekh, Founder & CEO of Motorica | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ilya.chekh" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://ru.linkedin.com/in/ilya-chekh/ru-ru" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a>

 
 Grigory Bolotin, Co-founder of Skyeer | <a href="https://ru.linkedin.com/in/grigory-bolotin-1a59596" target="_blank">LinkedIn</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 #20 (18 - 24 January 2021)

Sberbank has filed an application with the Central Bank to launch a platform to issue its own cryptocurrency - Sbercoin, said Anatoly Popov, deputy chairman of the bank's board. According to him, the launch is scheduled for this spring.

 
 The application was submitted in accordance with the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/prezident-rf-podpisal-zakon-o-tsifrovykh-finansovykh-aktivakh/">law</a> on digital financial assets, which came into force in Russia on January 1. The technology has already been tested in the bank. The company plans to apply it in the field of digital bills. The deputy chairman of the bank's board is convinced that replacing a paper bill with an electronic one opens up great opportunities.&nbsp; 

 
 Sberbank announced plans to release its own cryptocurrency in August 2020. As noted by the director of the Transactional Business Division, Sergei Popov, we are talking about the creation of tokens that can be used in payments for digital financial assets.

 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/sberbank-podal-zaiavku-na-registratsiiu-sobstvennoi-kriptovaliuty/">Original (in Russian)</a>

ria.ru

Sberbank has filed an application to register its own cryptocurrency

The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.hoversurf.com/">Hover</a> project carried out the first tests of unmanned flying taxis in Luzhniki, Moscow.&nbsp;

 
 The tests took place in a closed arena, since the flights of passenger drones in Moscow are still prohibited. The founder of the project, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/AVAtamanov">Alexander Atamanov</a>, expects that by the spring of this year, the Moscow government will open a test area for testing this type of drones on the territory of Skolkovo, and then tests will be conducted in the open air. By this time, it is planned to finalise the design of the machine, completely removing the propellers from it.

 
 It is also planned to test a digital centralised control system for unmanned drones, which requires coverage of 5G communication networks. Serial production of the first unmanned flying taxis is expected in 2021, and the possibility of their flights in the city is planned to be provided in 2023-2025.

 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/v-luzhnikakh-v-moskve-proveli-pervye-ispytaniia-bespilotnykh-letaiushchikh-taksi/">Original (in Russian)</a>

popmech.ru

First tests of unmanned flying taxis took place in the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow

Svetofor Group (Skolkovo resident), the operator of educational services for drivers has placed its shares on the Moscow Exchange. This is the first time a Skolkovo startup has entered the IPO, the press service of the technopark said. The trading began on January 18th. 

 
 The company plans to use the funds raised through the IPO to develop distance learning services in B2C and B2B formats.

 
 In 2017, the Moscow Innovation Agency recommended to include the developments of the company in the list of innovative, high-tech products and technologies and noted the interest in the company's developments from city customers.

 
 Contacts:

 
 <a href="https://twitter.com/artemrts" target="_blank">Artyom Dogaev</a>, General Director of Svetofor Group of Companies

 
 <a href="https://ict.moscow/news/edtech-proekt-svetofor-vyshel-na-moskovskuiu-birzhu/" target="_blank">Original (in Russian)</a>

The first resident of Skolkovo, Svetofor edtech project, entered the Moscow Exchange

First Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Russia Alexander Gorovoy announced plans to develop an application to an electronic passport in Moscow by the end of 2021. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, a pilot introduction of the electronic passport for citizens is planned by December 1, 2021.

 
 In January, the Ministry of Digital Development announced its intention to conduct an experiment in 2021 in some regions of Russia to replace driving licenses with QR codes.

 
 According to him, the implementation of the application project with the designation of the list of services for citizens is scheduled for the fourth quarter of this year. By this time,&nbsp;specialists will have to carry out preparatory work of both legal and technical nature. 

 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/v-moskve-planiruiut-do-kontsa-2021-goda-razrabotat-mobilnoe-prilozhenie-k-elektronnomu-pasportu/">Original (in Russian)</a>

TASS

A mobile application for an electronic passport is planned to be developed in Moscow by the end of 2021

mos.ru

Charity service on the official portal of the Moscow Mayor and Moscow Government wins Big Innovation Awards

The Analytical Credit Rating Agency (ACRA) has presented a forecast for the development of the Russian telecom market until 2024. According to him, the main driver of capital settlement operators in the coming years is the deployment of the 5G network. Investments in the development of fifth-generation networks by 2027 may reach 1.0-1.1 trillion rubles (equivalent to&nbsp;$13.5 - 15 billion).

 
 Experts predict that when deploying 5G networks at 4.8-4.99 GHz, the cost will be more than 1 trillion rubles (or $13.5 billion).&nbsp;The reason for this is the higher density required and higher power consumption, as well as the rise in the cost of equipment, which is mainly produced for the "golden range" of frequencies - 3.4-3.8 GHz.

 
 ACRA agency&nbsp; also expects the start of active implementation of 5G in Russia in 2024. However, according to analysts' forecasts, the dates may be shifted due to insufficient demand for fifth generation networks from end consumers.&nbsp;

 
 The participants of the telecom market themselves in 2021 expect a solution to the issue of providing frequencies and setting up the production of domestic 5G equipment.

 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.acra-ratings.ru/research/2310">How the transition to 5G may impact the sector’s financial indicators (in Russian)</a>

 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/akra-investitsii-v-razvitie-5g-v-rossii-do-2027-goda-mogut-sostavit-1-0-1-1-trln-rub/">Original (in Russian)</a>

ACRA (The Analytical Credit Rating Agency)

ACRA: investments in the development of 5G in Russia until 2027 may amount to $13.5 - 15 billion

Motorica, developer of prostheses, attracted $5.4 million for international development

Softline agreed to purchase 95% of Indian cloud services provider Embee Software. The Russian company expects that the deal will allow it to strengthen its position in the Indian market, become the second largest Microsoft partner in this region in terms of sales, and actively promote its solutions. The investment amount has not been disclosed and is estimated at $20-35 million. 

 
 Softline already operates in 50 countries of the world, including the markets of Eastern Europe, America and Asia and is one of the top 5 IT companies in Russia. At the end of 2019, the company's turnover, according to its own data, exceeded $1.54 billion, growth in Russia was 65% in rubles.&nbsp;

 
 As reported in December, Softline agreed to purchase 63.38% in Softline AG, German IT consulting and support company of the same name for about €7.6 million. The deal should help Softline gain a foothold in Western Europe, and it is planned to close it by March 31. Softline AG is present in the markets of the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium and Great Britain.

 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/softline-pokupaet-95-indiiskogo-postavshchika-oblachnykh-servisov-embee-software/">Original (in Russian)</a>

Softline acquires 95% of Indian cloud services provider Embee Software

The solution for user verification, developed on the basis of software products of the Moscow companies <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/cards/?tags=VisionLabs">VisionLabs</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/cards/?tags=Smart_Engines">Smart Engines</a>, is integrated into the mobile application of one of the largest banks in the UAE, Emirates NBD. With this application new customers can register and open accounts remotely. Remote user verification is implemented on the basis of a complex technical solution - Digital ID. Real-time face recognition and ID document scanning allow you to speed up the registration process.

 
 To open an account, you need to scan your passport or ID card in the bank's mobile application. Then the system will automatically fill in all the required data in the application. At the same time, to confirm the identity, it is necessary to take a selfie: the face in the frame is recognised and compared with the photograph on the document.

 
 As the developers assured, the security of processing personal and biometric data is guaranteed through the use of artificial intelligence technologies. Everything is performed on the user's phone without transferring images to the Internet.

 
 According to Anton Nazarkin, Director for International Development of VisionLabs, the product may be in demand not only from banks, but also from government agencies, insurance companies and healthcare organisations.

 
 Contacts:


 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/vladimir.arlazarov">
Vladimir Arlazarov</a>, CEO of Smart Engines


 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/alexander.khanin.3">
Alexander Khanin</a>, Founder of VisionLabs

Smart Engines

Technologies of VisionLabs and Smart Engines have been implemented in one of the UAE banks

Effective digital transformation could bring Russia up to $520 billion. This was reported by the Center for the Preparation of Digital Transformation of the Graduate School of Public Administration (GSHU), RANEPA and Google. The figure was calculated by the analysts of AlfaBeta. According to them, this will amount to approximately 25% of the national GDP.

 
 According to a survey by Google and RANEPA, during the pandemic, 19% of Russians surveyed took online courses, 10% received additional education or mastered a new profession. The researchers note that they have noticed the beneficial effects of the coronavirus on the digital transformation of the public sector.

 
 In addition, 500 business representatives interviewed reported that the pandemic has spurred the digital transformation of private companies and has become a major driver of economic change in 2020. Business expects the government to respond flexibly to requests, depending on the transformation strategy chosen by the company. In the course of intensive transformation of business processes, companies are waiting for training and the creation of a global infrastructure for data transmission. When choosing a conservative strategy, company leaders see the role of the state in the creation, implementation and financing of digital technologies.

 
 According to the survey, digital simplifies the analysis of the efficiency of the company and individual processes (51%), allows you to effectively control the work of employees (44%), increases the speed of decision-making, opens up new opportunities for monitoring their implementation (41%).

 
 <a href="https://ict.moscow/news/issledovanie-effektivnaia-tsifrovaia-transformatsiia-mozhet-prinesti-rossii-do-520-mlrd/" target="_blank">Original (in Russian)</a>

ComNews

Research: effective digital transformation can bring Russia up to $520 billion

Fare payment&nbsp;system based on facial recognition Face Pay is planned to be introduced at the ticket offices of the Moscow metro. The head of the Moscow Department of Transport Maxim Liksutov said that the function of paying for travel by face scanning will be implemented not only at the turnstiles, but also at the ticket offices.

 
 Technology is undergoing testing at the moment, more than 2 thousand passes have already been completed. In the spring of 2021, turnstiles with pay-by-face function will appear at all stations of the Moscow metro and will be be optional for passengers,&nbsp;not mandatory.

 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/funktsiiu-oplaty-proezda-face-pay-planiruetsia-vnedrit-na-kassakh-moskovskogo-metropolitena/">Original (in Russian)</a>

Fare payment system based on facial recognition Face Pay will be implemented at the ticket offices of the Moscow metro

The weekly observer of Moscow's tech stories 

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<h2>
 MARKET IN BRIEF
</h2>

 
 main news about Moscow's projects, developers and technologies

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 <a class="image_link" target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/moscow-improved-its-position-in-the-global-ranking-of-smart-cities/">
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<ul>
 <li>Moscow <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/moscow-improved-its-position-in-the-global-ranking-of-smart-cities/" target="_blank">improved</a> its position in the global ranking of smart cities</li>
</ul>

<ul>
 <li>Diagnostic devices of Moscow hospitals and clinics <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/diagnostic-devices-of-moscow-hospitals-and-clinics-united-into-a-single-digital-network/" target="_blank">united</a> into a single digital network</li>
</ul>

<ul>
 <li>Telecom operators <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/telecom-operators-have-invested-around-311-million-in-infrastructure-development-in-moscow-in-2020/" target="_blank">have invested</a> around $311 million in infrastructure development in Moscow in 2020</li>
</ul>

<ul>
 <li>Skolkovo <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/skolkovo-has-launched-a-map-of-russian-ai-based-solutions-with-a-potential-to-fulfill-the-un-sustainable-development-goals/" target="_blank">has launched</a> a map of Russian AI-based solutions with a potential to fulfill the UN Sustainable Development Goals</li>
</ul>

<ul>
 <li>Self-isolation Index by Yandex <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/self-isolation-index-by-yandex-won-the-gold-prize-of-the-eurobest-festival/" target="_blank">won</a> the gold prize of the Eurobest festival</li>
</ul>

<ul>
 <li>Smart Engines <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/smart-engines-earned-3-3-million-on-ai-in-2020/" target="_blank">earned</a> $3.3 million on AI in 2020 (Cards of <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/cards/?tags=Smart_Engines" target="_blank">Smart Engines</a>)</li>
</ul>

<div class="incut-block incut-block-text-small-size">
 GOV AGENDA
 Vladimir Putin <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/vladimir-putin-signed-a-decree-on-holding-a-year-of-science-and-technology-in-russia-in-2021/" target="_blank">signed</a> a decree on holding the Year of Science and Technology in Russia in 2021
 Russia <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/russia-will-create-a-register-of-domestic-microelectronics-developers-to-receive-benefits-through-the-tax-maneuver/" target="_blank">will create</a> a register of domestic microelectronics developers to receive benefits through the tax maneuver
 The Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/the-federal-antimonopoly-service-fas-has-approved-the-creation-of-a-5g-joint-venture-by-communication-operators/" target="_blank">has approved</a> the creation of a 5G joint venture by communication operators
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 <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/">More news →</a>

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<h2>
 INVESTMENT DEALS
</h2>

<ul>
 <li>Botkin.AI <a href="http://ict.moscow/en/news/botkin-ai-raised-2-1-million-for-further-development-and-international-expansion" target="_blank">raised</a> $2.1 million for further development and international expansion (Card of <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/card/botkinai/" target="_blank">Botkin.ai</a>)</li>
</ul>

<ul>
 <li>NFWare, the developer of virtualized networking software, <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/nfware-the-developer-of-virtualized-networking-software-raises-1-4-million-for-development/" target="_blank">raises</a> $1.4 million for development (Cards of <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/cards/?tags=NFWare" target="_blank">NFWare</a>)</li>
</ul>

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<h2>
 ANALYTICS AND INSIGHTS
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 researches, monitorings, reports and other analytics of Moscow and Russian IT market

<ul>
 <li><a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/mediascope-the-share-of-internet-users-among-the-youngest-population-in-russia-nearly-approached-100-in-2020/" target="_blank">Mediascope</a>: Internet penetration among the younger population (up to 44 years old) in Russian exceeded 90%, and among the youngest Russians (12-24 years old) approached  nearly 100%  in 2020 →</li>
</ul>

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 <li><a href="https://ict.moscow/en/research/the-state-of-mobile-2021/" target="_blank">AppAnnie</a>: Russia is ahead of all European countries in the amount of time spent in video streaming applications →</li>
</ul>

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 <li><a href="https://ict.moscow/en/research/it-infrastructure-of-artificial-intelligence-in-russia/" target="_blank">TAdviser, Huawei and Technoserv</a>: 68% of organisations in Russia already use solutions in the field of AI or machine learning →</li>
</ul>

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 <li><a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/bank-of-america-the-cost-of-taxi-rides-from-online-aggregators-increased-by-50-70/" target="_blank">Bank of America</a>: The cost of taxi rides from online aggregators in Russia increased by 50-70%</li>
</ul>

<ul>
 <li><a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/deloitte-in-10-years-the-share-of-russian-operators-equipment-with-an-open-interface-may-reach-80/" target="_blank">Deloitte</a>: in 10 years the share of Russian operators' equipment with an open interface may reach 80%</li>
</ul>

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<h2>
 GUEST COLUMN&nbsp;&nbsp;
</h2>

 
 some materials about smart city in 2020 from <a href="https://www.thesmartcityjournal.com/en" target="_blank">The Smart City Journal</a> 

 
 <a href="https://www.thesmartcityjournal.com/en/53-categories/2752-automated-and-smart-mobility-demos-a-key-step-towards-the-european-smart-city-of-the-future" target="_blank">Automated and smart mobility demos - a key step towards the European smart city of the future →</a>

 
 An article about The Show project, the largest research and demo project ever launched in Europe, that will support the deployment of various autonomous transport applications in 20 European cities across a 2-year period starting in 2021. Some 70 real-life urban demonstrations of autonomous mobility use cases to be deployed as part of the project.

 
 <a href="https://www.thesmartcityjournal.com/en/homen/interviews/2483-can-artificial-intelligence-outsmart-covid-19" target="_blank">An interview with Sharon Daniels, CEO of Arria NLG on how AI can foster Smart City adoption and help municipalities navigate their way through the pandemic</a><a href="https://www.thesmartcityjournal.com/en/homen/cities/2776-smart-cities-market-to-hit-us-651-7-billion-by-2028" target="_blank"> →</a>

 
 With natural language generation, machine learning and automation, smart city and modernisation programs are empowered to improve workforce efficiency and improve quality of life for constituents during the pandemic.

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<h2>
 KEY ACTORS IN IT
</h2>

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

 
 Sergey Dutov, Director of business development and industrial partnerships at Skolkovo Innovation Centre, Founder of Sk[ai]HUB project | <a href="https://ru.linkedin.com/in/sergeydutov" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a>

 
 Tonya Samsonova, Head of Social Services at Yandex | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/samsonovatonia" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/toniasamsonova/?originalSubdomain=uk" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a>

 
 Sergey Usilin, Executive Director of Smart Engines | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sergey.usilin" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sergey-usilin-ph-d-5968104/" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a>

 
 Alexander Lyskovsky, Founder and President of iFarm | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/lyskovsky" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://ru.linkedin.com/in/lyskovsky" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a>

 
 Alexander Britkin, Co-Founder & CEO of NFWare | <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sashabritkin/" style="background-color: rgb(250, 250, 250);" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a> | <a href="https://www.crunchbase.com/person/alexander-britkin#:~:text=Alexander%20Britkin%20is%20the%20CEO%20%26%20Co%2DFounder%20at%20NFWare%20" target="_blank">Crunchbase</a>

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

Tech in Moscow #19 (21 December 2020  - 17 January 2021)

The cost of taxi rides in Russia from the largest online aggregators increased by 50-70% by the end of 2020 compared to May-June. This was reported by Kommersant with reference to the report of analysts at Bank of America (BofA). In Moscow and the regions, prices increased by an average of 56% for Yandex.Taxi and 68% for Citymobil. Compared to December 2020 with January of the same year, the growth was 31% and 39%, respectively, for these companies. However, analysts point out that this may be due to the high workload characteristic of the end of the year. BofA does not disclose absolute figures. The experts took into account the indicators of Moscow, St. Petersburg, Samara, Ufa, Voronezh and Yaroslavl.

 
 The trend is indirectly confirmed by the data of the Moscow Department of Transport, according to which in the first quarter of 2020 the average ticket for a trip in the capital was 417 rubles, in the second - 430 rubles, and in the third - 457 rubles.

 
 BofA analysts, citing data from the Department of Transport, also noted the strengthening of Yandex.Taxi's positions in the Moscow's market: by the end of the year, its share exceeded 70%. In November, the share of Citymobil (owned by Sberbank and Mail.ru Group) amounted to 20.2% against 28.7% in April. In addition, in Moscow the prices of Citymobil and Yandex.Taxi in the Economy tariff in December were comparable, although in May-June Citymobil was 25% cheaper than its competitor. At the end of 2021, the number of taxi rides in Russia will grow by 37% against a fall of 8% in 2020, analysts expect.&nbsp;Yandex.Taxi will have 1.8 billion trips, Citymobil - 327 million, BofA predicts. This is an increase of 49.8% and 70.8%, respectively.

 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/bank-of-america-stoimost-poezdok-na-taksi-u-onlain-agregatorov-vyrosla-na-50-70/">Original (in Russian)</a>

Bank of America: The cost of taxi rides from online aggregators in Russia increased by 50-70%

According to Deloitte estimates, the share of equipment with an open interface (Open Radio Access Network, OpenRAN) in the mobile networks of Russian telecom operators may reach 80% in the next 10 years. The emergence of OpenRAN equipment will be stimulated by the requirements of the authorities to replace foreign equipment for networks of the new 5G standard.

 
 There is now a proprietary (closed) model on the market, when the supplier makes all the elements of the network and only one vendor's equipment is installed at each site. As a result, the market was divided between the five largest players: Huawei, Ericsson, Nokia, ZTE and Samsung, which together occupied more than 95% of shipments.

 
 OpenRAN equipment is almost never used in Russian communication networks. Its principle entails the construction of a network of standard elements connected by standard interfaces, Anton Shulga, partner and head of the group for work with technology and media companies at Deloitte in the CIS, explained to the publication. This approach, he said, will allow new producers to enter the market.

 
 The ANO Telecommunication Technologies (created by the Element group, Rostelecom and Rostec, unites 25 companies) proposed to oblige telecom operators to build 5G networks on equipment with an open interface, it was reported in October 2020. They offered to allocate new frequencies to operators free of charge, provided that only Russian equipment would be used on them. On November 19, the government <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/v-kabmine-utverdili-dorozhnuiu-kartu-razvitiia-mobilnykh-setei-sviazi-piatogo-pokoleniia/">approved</a> a 5G development roadmap, according to which the new standard should be developed exclusively on domestic equipment.

 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/deloitte-za-10-let-dolia-oborudovaniia-s-otkrytym-interfeisom-v-setiakh-rossiiskikh-operatorov-mozhet-dostignut-80/">Original (in Russian)</a>

Deloitte: in 10 years the share of Russian operators' equipment with an open interface may reach 80%

A startup from Moscow Skyeer, which develops a cloud platform for analytics and control of construction and mining based on spatial data attracted investments. The funds were invested by New Industry Ventures, a joint venture fund of Gazprom Neft, Gazprombank, RVC and VEB Ventures.

 
 Funds invested weren't disclosed. Money will be spend to the development of a cloud visualisation and business intelligence platform using geospatial data and business scaling. With the support of the fund, several corporate and industry versions of the product will be developed and launched, as well as an improved data analysis tools using artificial intelligence and Big Data.

 
 According to the representatives of New Industry Ventures, in the next two years, it is planned to launch a partner network to expand the geography of sales and support the digital platform, as well as its entry into foreign markets

 
 <a href="https://ict.moscow/news/ctartap-skyeer-privlek-investitsii-na-razvitie-oblachnoi-platformy-vizualizatsii/" target="_blank">Original (in Russian)</a>

Skyeer, developer of a cloud platform for controlling construction using geospatial data, attracted investment for the development

The Ministry of Digital Development of the Russian Federation plans to conduct an experiment in some regions that will allow using a mobile application with a QR code instead of a driver's license. This was announced during the Gaidar Forum by the Deputy Head of the Ministry of Digital Development Oleg Kachanov.

 
 “We already have a definite plan, we worked with our colleagues from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, agreed on a project and would like to launch it as an experiment in 2021 on the territory of the selected subjects, the most digital ones, which are in the first four,” he said.

 
 According to Kachanov, instead of carrying a vehicle registration certification and a driver's license, the driver could show a mobile application, where information about these documents&nbsp; is&nbsp;stored&nbsp;in a&nbsp;QR code.

 
 In mid-January, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko appealed to Russian President Vladimir Putin with a request to support the initiative to conduct an experiment in 2021 on the use of "digital twins" of frequently used documents. 

 
 it was reported earlier that an electronic passport of a citizen in a pilot project may appear in Moscow before December 1, 2021.

 
 <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/mintsifry-planiruet-provesti-eksperiment-po-zamene-voditelskikh-prav-na-qr-kody/">Original (in Russian)</a>

Ministry of Digital Development plans to conduct an experiment to replace driving licenses with QR codes

<a href="https://ict.moscow/en/cards/?tags=NFWare" target="_blank">NFWare</a> (resident of Skolkovo), the developer of virtualized networking software for telecom operators and Internet companies, has attracted $1.4 million in investments.

 
 The funds were received from a group of investors including Softline Venture Partners, Plug and Play Ventures and business angels from Google Research. The funding round was also supported by Sistema_VC and other current NFWare investors: Almaz Capital and Maxfield Capital. The company will use the funds received to expand the product line for processing network traffic. The startup plans to introduce new products to the market this year.

 
 NFWare was founded in 2014. The company's offices are located in Moscow and California. According to its own data, the company's clients include two of the ten largest international mobile operators, telecom operators in the USA, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. In Russia, the company's clients are Tinkoff Mobile and Mail.ru Group.

 
 <a href="https://ict.moscow/news/startap-po-virtualizatsii-setevykh-funktsii-nfware-privlek-1-4-mln-na-razvitie/" target="_blank">Original (in Russian)</a>

Market in Brief