Nikolai Puntikov

President, First Line Software
Editor-in-Chief, Software-Russia.com

Dr. Puntikov is the President of First Line Software, a global company offering broad range of software development and technology enablement services and solutions. Nikolai is a serial entrepreneur and business executive with a proven track record in building successful global organizations. He is also a committed advocate for the development of the Russian innovative ecosystem. In 2010, Nikolai co-founded the Russian Chapter of the MIT Enterprise Forum, a non-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting the growth and success of high-tech entrepreneurial ventures. Currently, he is the Chairman of CEE-SECR, the largest software engineering conference in Russia and Editor-in-chief of analytical portal Software Russia. Dr. Puntikov holds his M.S. degree from the St. Petersburg State University and a Doctorate degree from the Institute of Informatics of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

Vyacheslav Nesterov

General Manager, St.Petersburg Development Center, EMC

The Center works on Software development for the products designed and produces by EMC corporation. The main area of development is high performance systems for information storage and management. Vyacheslav joined St.Petersburg EMC center in 2008, before that he worked for Motorola software development center in St.Petersburg for about 10 years. He led development of software solutions for digital TV equipment and other products of Motorola company.

Vyacheslav Nesterov is an expert in Software development process, different methodologies and techniques in SW development.

Before coming to software industry Vyacheslav did research in Computer science and Computational mathematics, worked for institutes of Academy of Sciences, taught in universities. He has D.Sc. degree in mathematics, he is an author of more than 50 papers. Vyacheslav was graduated from St.Petersburg State University, faculty of Mathematics and Mechanics.

Lawrence Wright

Co-Founder and CEO, GVA LaunchGurus

Lawrence is a serial entrepreneur, occasional business angel investor, mentor, and deep student of Russia. With 5 startups under his belt, Lawrence is passionate about innovating new ways to help startups and investors achieve success.

Lawrence’s rich background has centered on leadership in hi-tech and innovation. As a country manager for a Fortune 300 IT and systems integration company in the ‘90s, he pioneered hi-tech cooperation, breaking down barriers between US and Russian S&T centers. As a State Department political appointee to a $1 billion S&T fund, he forged new initiatives to successfully commercialize a dozen innovative technologies. As a serial entrepreneur and investor at several startups, he led several to successful capital raises, launches, and delivered fast and early results. Additionally, he supported several other startups to raise venture capital. As the first endowed chair (Zimin Chair for entrepreneurial leadership) and professor of practice at Russia’s top business school, he pushed the boundaries of entrepreneurship education, and demonstrated that fusing practical education with acceleration methods can deliver amazing results (>30% of graduates startups are successful).

Lawrence has a B.A. in political science and Russian studies, and an M.A. in international commerce. He speaks Russian fluently, is married and has two children.

Dmitry Chikhachev

Managing partner and co-founder, Runa Capital

Dmitry Chikhachev is co-founder and managing partner at Runa Capital, $135M venture fund. His interests span internet, mobile, virtualization and could computing. He led deal execution for NGINX, Jelastic, LinguaLeo, Ecwid, Cellrox, Capptain and other Runa companies. Dmitry is a ‘hands on’ active investor and helps portfolio companies with fundraising, strategy, recruitment and technology.

Dmitry has over 18 years track record as business executive with broad cross-functional experience. Most recently Dmitry was COO/acting CEO of Uvenco Holding, responsible for the stat-up and successful roll-out of the company, which under his leadership has become the leading operator in the field of automated trade in Russian market. Previously Dmitry served as Business Development Director at Ritzio Group, one of the top gaming operators in Eastern Europe, where he headed international business development and managed investment projects – including M&A and greenfield – in Latvia, Romania, Germany, South/Latin America, growing Ritzio international business from zero to $75M.

Dmitry holds MS degree in Applied Mathematics and Physics from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology. He also has completed an MBA curriculum, graduation with highest honors from the American Institute of Business and Economics.

Alexander Potapov

Deputy CEO, Managing Director at RVC

Alexander Potapov joined RVC in January 2012 as Deputy CEO, Managing Director and oversees now RVC programs aimed at generating demand for innovations and innovative ventures and developing service infrastructure, as well as at increasing proficiency of the ecosystem participants and fostering innovative activities in general.

Alexander graduated from Moscow Medical State University in 1992. His professional career includes working at media, advertising and marketing agencies, and more than 15 years of experience in companies like Microsoft Corporation and Adobe Systems at various positions ranging from marketing specialist to Head of Russia & CIS regional office.

Pavel Rudnik

Deputy Director, Department of Innovative Development, Ministry of Economic Development