The Information technology sector in Russia employed around 300,000 people in 2012, [1] and contributed 1.2% of the country's GDP in 2015. [2] The sector is concentrated in the cities of Moscow and Saint Petersburg. [1]
The Russian IT sector drew comparatively little from Soviet-era institutions. [3] Russian IT companies were started in the early 1990s by founders with an academic background seeking to find a place in the new market economy. [3] Piracy was widespread in the country, with an estimated 90% of all software in Russia being pirated in 1997. [4]
In the 1990s, companies such as Vist began assembling computers out of foreign-made components, targeting small businesses and families who could not afford foreign brands like IBM and Compaq. [5] DVM Computer gained some traction in the laptop market with its RoverBook brand. [6] The Russian Computer Association (Российская компьютерная ассоциация) was the trade association representing the sector. [7] In 1997 Yandex was established in Moscow. [8]
In 1999 MCST developed the Elbrus 2000 processor, which was initially hyped as an Itanium killer, [9] but the project was hampered by a chronic lack of funding. [10]
Over time, Russian companies moved to software development, an activity which enjoyed higher margins. [1] Local companies cater to the specific needs of the Russian market, such as ERP software developed by 1C Company with a focus on Russian accounting rules. [11] Kaspersky Labs is described as the flagship company of the Russian IT industry. [12] Exports of software and IT services from Russia reached $7 billion in 2015, up from $2.8 billion in 2009. [13]
In 2012 MCST launched the NT-ElbrusS, a rugged laptop for military applications. [14]
In the aftermath of the War in Donbass and the annexation of Crimea, the Ukrainian government banned a number of Russian IT companies from conducting business in the country. [15]
In June 2015 the Russian parliament passed a law to establish a preference system for software developed in Russia. [16]
Worsening relations between the United States and Russia have led some to advocate a purge of Russian software. [17]
List of the largest internet companies based in Russia, according to the local version of Forbes: [18]
Rank | Name | Established | Headquarters |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Yandex | 2000 | Moscow |
2 | VK | 1998 | Moscow |
3 | Avito | 2007 | Moscow |
4 | Wildberries | 2004 | Moscow |
5 | Lamoda | 2011 | Moscow |
6 | Ozon Group | 2000 | Moscow |
7 | HeadHunter | 2000 | Moscow |
8 | Citylink | 2008 | Moscow |
9 | 2GIS | 1999 | Novosibirsk |
10 | KupiVIP Group | 2008 | Moscow |
The Information technology sector in Russia employed around 300,000 people in 2012, [1] and contributed 1.2% of the country's GDP in 2015. [2] The sector is concentrated in the cities of Moscow and Saint Petersburg. [1]
The Russian IT sector drew comparatively little from Soviet-era institutions. [3] Russian IT companies were started in the early 1990s by founders with an academic background seeking to find a place in the new market economy. [3] Piracy was widespread in the country, with an estimated 90% of all software in Russia being pirated in 1997. [4]
In the 1990s, companies such as Vist began assembling computers out of foreign-made components, targeting small businesses and families who could not afford foreign brands like IBM and Compaq. [5] DVM Computer gained some traction in the laptop market with its RoverBook brand. [6] The Russian Computer Association (Российская компьютерная ассоциация) was the trade association representing the sector. [7] In 1997 Yandex was established in Moscow. [8]
In 1999 MCST developed the Elbrus 2000 processor, which was initially hyped as an Itanium killer, [9] but the project was hampered by a chronic lack of funding. [10]
Over time, Russian companies moved to software development, an activity which enjoyed higher margins. [1] Local companies cater to the specific needs of the Russian market, such as ERP software developed by 1C Company with a focus on Russian accounting rules. [11] Kaspersky Labs is described as the flagship company of the Russian IT industry. [12] Exports of software and IT services from Russia reached $7 billion in 2015, up from $2.8 billion in 2009. [13]
In 2012 MCST launched the NT-ElbrusS, a rugged laptop for military applications. [14]
In the aftermath of the War in Donbass and the annexation of Crimea, the Ukrainian government banned a number of Russian IT companies from conducting business in the country. [15]
In June 2015 the Russian parliament passed a law to establish a preference system for software developed in Russia. [16]
Worsening relations between the United States and Russia have led some to advocate a purge of Russian software. [17]
List of the largest internet companies based in Russia, according to the local version of Forbes: [18]
Rank | Name | Established | Headquarters |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Yandex | 2000 | Moscow |
2 | VK | 1998 | Moscow |
3 | Avito | 2007 | Moscow |
4 | Wildberries | 2004 | Moscow |
5 | Lamoda | 2011 | Moscow |
6 | Ozon Group | 2000 | Moscow |
7 | HeadHunter | 2000 | Moscow |
8 | Citylink | 2008 | Moscow |
9 | 2GIS | 1999 | Novosibirsk |
10 | KupiVIP Group | 2008 | Moscow |