On June 17, under the vaulted industrial canopy of the KSK Arena in Saint Petersburg, Russia’s northern capital once again asserted its growing claim as the country’s entrepreneurial heartland. The occasion was My Business Forum – 2025, an event that has evolved, in just three short years, into one of the most significant gatherings for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Russia. This year’s edition shattered previous records: over 10,000 registrations, more than 5,000 entrepreneurs present on site, and a staggering 1 million-plus online viewers tuning in from across the nation.
Supported by the Ministry of Economic Development and organized by the Government of Saint Petersburg, the forum combined policy, technology, and ambition in equal measure. Notably, Chic Icon Magazine joined as the official media partner, reflecting the increasingly cosmopolitan and future-forward outlook of the event.
Tatiana Ilyushnikova, Deputy Minister of Economic Development, delivered remarks that underscored the strategic importance of the SME ecosystem. “Saint Petersburg shows a confident upward trajectory in this space,” she noted, pointing out the city’s 386,000 registered SMEs — a figure surpassing some entire federal districts. Notably, key industries such as IT, hospitality, and science-tech fields have each experienced growth rates between 3–6% over the past year, defying the drag of global economic headwinds. “It’s no coincidence,” Ilyushnikova added, “that Saint Petersburg’s approach is drawing attention from across the country. This forum has become a vital platform for sharing best practices and business models.”
For Vice-Governor Kirill Polyakov, the numbers speak not only to performance but identity. “Nearly two million people in Saint Petersburg work within the SME sector — that’s about 60% of the city’s employed population. Compare that to a national average of 30–40%, and you’ll understand why we consider this city the entrepreneurial capital of Russia.” He cited President Putin’s frequent praise for the “creative energy” of entrepreneurs and reaffirmed the local government’s commitment to scaling businesses from small to medium, and from medium to large.
It was a message echoed by Alexander Sitov, Chairman of the Committee for Industrial Policy, Innovation, and Trade, who described a climate of economic resilience. “We’ve weathered the pandemic, geopolitical disruptions, and an ongoing economic war,” Sitov said. “But our SMEs have not only endured — they’ve adapted, innovated, and expanded.”
And so, while the numbers were impressive, the energy inside the forum was equally noteworthy. The layout of the event, with its four thematic stages and a buzzing digital app connecting participants across Russia’s vast geography, spoke to a vision of integration and connectivity. Over 1,000 chat rooms facilitated by the event app allowed entrepreneurs to network, pose questions, and schedule meetings in real time — a vital tool in a country where regional markets vary drastically.
“My Business Forum is a space designed to open doors — for networking, for funding, for state-backed support,” explained Lev Kuznetsov, head of the National My Business Agency and forum director. “This year, representatives came from over half of Russia’s urban centers. That kind of diversity is essential for bridging markets.”
The forum’s lineup of speakers was a snapshot of Russia’s evolving business landscape. From tech innovators like David Brown of Soyuz and Ivan Kozlov of Aviasales for Business to corporate figures from VK, Sber, Yandex, and Hroom.ai, the discussions spanned themes from product scaling to AI implementation. A standout panel, “How to Grow Small Business into Big Business,” brought together public officials and private sector leaders to debate the often-elusive synergy between state support and market dynamics.
Meanwhile, the “Experience Economy” stage offered a refreshingly humanistic take on entrepreneurship, with sessions exploring business aesthetics, the emotional value of brands, and stress resilience. Another popular venue focused entirely on neural networks — from ad targeting to recruitment to automating customer engagement.
Perhaps most tangible were the practical tools available onsite: entrepreneurs could receive live consultations from tax authorities, consumer protection agencies, and legal representatives — a gesture that emphasized the government’s declared aim to demystify bureaucracy.
Among the forum’s crowning moments was the awards ceremony for the national “Business Index” ranking, recognizing the country’s top 100 and top 350 companies. In addition to prestige, winners gained access to diagnostic tools for business development, brand reputation audits, and partner benefits from sponsors like PSB Bank, and TASS.
The day ended not with a dry policy roundtable, but with something closer to a celebration: a cyber tournament, a sprawling networking reception, and a live concert by indie legends Brazzaville — a reminder that business, especially in times of pressure, still needs community, inspiration, and a touch of music.
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