Kazan: From Ancient Crossroads To Russia’s Hottest Technology Center
Once called the “Athens of the Volga”, the Russian city of Kazan is exploding with software startups & emerging as a hot-spot for blockchain & cryptocurrency development. We’re joined by software company executive Alexander Guseff to learn how state sponsorship & offshore labor savings are driving this emerging economy, and how his own tech startup is making a difference with the world’s most secure messaging software.
Alexander, you’re in Kazan, which is an emerging tech center in the Republic of Tatarstan. According to the General Director of Google Russia, Kazan is the largest center of IT development in the country, with 15 high-speed internet providers and a level of Internet penetration is 75%. Is this becoming the Silicon Valley of Russia?
Well, we can’t compare ourselves with Silicon Valley quite yet, especially without the California swell for surfing. We also don’t have enough disposable R&D revenue to be likely to contribute another Google to this world — but despite this, the city of Kazan has managed to develop quite a unique IT development ecosystem and we do have funding.
