Early Life
Igor Vladimirovich Rybakov was born on May 16, 1972, in Magnitogorsk, Russia. During his high school years, in 1988, he earned a substantial amount of money working in a student construction brigade, a sum comparable to an engineer's annual salary at the time. He pursued his studies at the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT), graduating with a degree in engineering physics in 1996. His time at MIPT coincided with Russia's post-Soviet economic transition.
Rise to Success
Rybakov co-founded Technonicol in 1992 with his classmate Sergey Kolesnikov. The company initially started as a trading company and roofing repair service. By 1993, Technonicol opened its first office in Moscow, expanding throughout Russia and other CIS countries between 1994 and 1999. The company has grown into a multinational corporation with numerous production centers and a wide distribution network. In 2018, Rybakov and Kolesnikov were awarded the EY Entrepreneur of the Year in Russia.
Key Business Strategies
Technonicol's success is attributed to its focus on providing high-quality, reliable, and efficient building materials. The company has expanded its operations to include 70+ plants worldwide. Rybakov also co-founded Prytek Venture Partners in 2017, a venture capital fund investing in technology companies.
Philanthropy
In 2015, Rybakov and his wife Ekaterina established the Rybakov Family Foundation, which supports educational initiatives. The foundation created the Rybakov Prize, an award recognizing philanthropists in education. They also pledged $100 million over ten years to support educational transformation. Rybakov has stated his commitment to leaving a legacy for his children through education and philanthropy.