Early Life
Vadim Novinsky was born Vadym Vladyslavovych Novynskyi on June 3, 1963, in Staraya Russa, USSR (now Russia). He graduated from the Leningrad Academy of Civil Aviation in 1985, with a degree in engineering management systems. He began his career working for various companies in Russia before shifting his focus to Ukraine in the mid-1990s.
Rise to Success
Novinsky's business career took off with the acquisition of Ukrainian metallurgy companies. In 1999, he established the Smart Group company. In 2006, he and his business partner, Andrei Klyamko, united their Ukrainian metallurgy companies into Smart Holding Group. In 2007, they acquired a stake in Metinvest, where Novinsky became a junior partner with Rinat Akhmetov.
Key Business Strategies
Novinsky's key business strategy involved identifying and capitalizing on privatization opportunities in Ukraine. Through Smart Holding Group, he invested in a diversified portfolio, including metals & mining, oil and gas, shipbuilding, and agriculture. This strategy enabled Novinsky to build a substantial business empire and become one of Ukraine's wealthiest individuals. His assets included stakes in Metinvest, oil and gas companies, shipbuilding, agriculture, and finance. In 2022, Novinsky transferred his assets to a trust company.
Philanthropy
Novinsky is known for his philanthropic efforts through the Vadym Novynskyi Foundation. He focuses on humanitarian aid, supporting Ukrainian medical and rehabilitation centers, especially during the conflict in the Donbas region and the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War. In 2022, his foundation provided $7 million for humanitarian assistance.