Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –
On May 31, the Higher School of Economics hosted the fifth, anniversary Forum of the HSE Business Club — the largest student entrepreneurial event in the country. In five years, students have transformed it from a local initiative into a large-scale platform uniting market leaders, investors, aspiring entrepreneurs and anyone who wants to build a business while still studying.
Entirely organized by students, the forum became living proof: entrepreneurship at HSE is already working. In 2025, the event attracted a record 3,200 registrations and was supported by 20 partner companies. The online broadcast attracted thousands of views. VTB Bank acted as the general partner of the event.
Deputy Vice-Rector of the National Research University Higher School of Economics
— The HSE Business Club Forum is a shining example of what our students are capable of when they have an idea, a team, and a desire to do truly meaningful things. This event is the result of colossal work, created entirely by the hands of students, and this is its main value.
They don’t just listen to lectures, they create big events, learn in the process, take responsibility and leave the university with real management and project experience. Such initiatives show that studying at HSE is not about later, but about now. And this is inspiring.
The forum also gives students a unique opportunity to meet with current entrepreneurs – ask questions, discuss their ideas and simply see what business looks like from the inside. Live communication with people who have already gone from idea to business.
President of the HSE Business Club
— At the Business Club, we believe that entrepreneurship begins with initiative — with the ability to take responsibility, assemble a team, negotiate, attract people, form an idea and bring it to fruition.
And every year we are convinced: the forum is a tool with which we form a new generation of leaders and entrepreneurs. Those who will build businesses, create teams, make important decisions. And it is important for us that this generation has the right values, the right thinking and the right ambitions. Ambition not just to do big, but to do significant. Not just to earn, but to create. Not just to talk, but to take responsibility.
It is important for us not only to inspire, but also to show that the entrepreneurial path is closer than it seems. Everything starts with a simple dialogue, with a desire to learn more, with the first idea. The forum is a space where you can take this first step. We want each participant to leave with a new question, a new contact or an idea that will launch something important.
Thank you, HSE, for freedom and trust. And thank you to everyone who came: you are creating the future of entrepreneurship today.
Investments in ideas: how the round table went
One of the key events was the round table “The Future of Business: Investments in Youth Entrepreneurship”, organized jointly with the ANO “Development of Human Capital”. Representatives of investment funds, the venture industry, the university and the Business Club took part in the discussion.
The discussion focused on early investments in student startups, criteria for their attractiveness to investors, and the role of universities in supporting young entrepreneurs. Participants discussed how the university environment can become a catalyst for the development of startup ecosystems and which mechanisms work most effectively.
Pitch session: from words to deeds
The forum became a real platform for testing student ideas. Nine student teams spoke at the pitch session, presenting their projects to investors and industry experts. The startups included an AR atlas, infusion devices, an AI interior designer, gaming PCs, a fitness community, and AI applications for mental support.
Participants received not only feedback, but also the opportunity to attract partners, clients and mentors.
Managing the Future: Insights from Industry Leaders
The speakers at the forum were the country’s leading entrepreneurs, each of whom shared not only their experience, but also a strategic view on business development.
Stanislav Bliznyuk, President of T-Technologies, spoke about digital transformation and the role of young people in the development of ecosystems. According to him, more than 40% of the company’s employees are recent graduates. The company operates on the “Test and Learn” principle: successful solutions are implemented instantly, mistakes are part of the process, the main thing is not to scale failures.
Vladimir Yevtushenkov, founder of AFK Sistema, gave a speech on leadership in a crisis. The main thesis is the ability to maintain composure in conditions of uncertainty: “If a person is overcome by panic, consider that he has lost.”
Oleg Zherebtsov, founder of the Lenta chain and Solopharm, shared his approach to creating effective operating models. The focus is on eliminating unnecessary links, focusing on speed and a strong team, digitalization and customer focus.
Mikhail Grebenyuk, founder of the consulting company Resulting, presented a 20-point checklist that allows you to evaluate a business idea at the concept stage. The company’s portfolio includes more than 1,000 built sales departments and an annual revenue of 2 billion rubles.
Other speakers at the forum include Ivan Tavrin (Kismet Capital Group), Dmitry Chuiko (Whoosh), Rinat Aliyev (Educate Online), Alexander Dubovenko (GOOD WOOD), Anton Makarov (divan.ru), Viktor Kuznetsov (VseInstrumenty.ru), Sergey Lebedev (CHICKO), Amiran Mutsoev (Dream Island).
Education in practice
The forum gave HSE students not only knowledge, but also the opportunity to apply it in practice. Organizing a large-scale event, working with partners, logistics, moderating platforms, managing teams – all this became part of the real experience of the Business Club participants.
In parallel with the main speeches, practical workshops were held in the Small Hall: how to build a team, what to do with conflicts and how to develop a business in conditions of uncertainty. Semyon Shimichev, the founder of the Mates coffee chain, also spoke about his path – he opened his first outlet at the age of 19.
General partner of the forum: VTB Partners: Sber, Ozon, Alfa-Bank, X5 Group, SBS Consulting, Domodedovo, Kept, Axenix, Future Today, FRII, Changellenge, Rosselkhozbank, HSE Business Incubator, Promsvyazbank, Svyatoy Istochnik and others.
June 16
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