Early Life and Education
Vyacheslav Kim was born on June 12, 1969, in Almaty, Kazakhstan. He graduated from the Republican Physics and Mathematics School in 1996, laying the foundation for his future success. Kim furthered his education, earning degrees in Financial Economics from the Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University in 1998 and Finance from the Russian-Kazakh Modern Humanitarian University in 2002.
Rise to Success
Kim's entrepreneurial journey began in 1990 when he co-founded the Konovalov's Ophthalmology Clinic. In 1993, he opened the Planet of Electronics store, which rapidly grew to become one of Kazakhstan's largest retail chains within a decade. Recognizing the potential of combining retail with lending, Kim acquired the privatized Kaspiyskiy Bank in 2002, aiming to offer credit to his customers. He sought help from the Baring Vostok fund, and the partnership with Mikheil Lomtadze marked a turning point in Kaspi.kz's history. Together, they transformed Kaspi into Kazakhstan's biggest fintech company.
Key Business Strategies
Under Kim's leadership, Kaspi.kz focused on consumer-centric financial services, establishing close relationships with government leaders. The company transitioned from a traditional bank to a tech-driven company by introducing innovative services such as payment systems via phone numbers and QR codes. Kaspi.kz also expanded into e-commerce and marketplace platforms. A successful IPO on the London Stock Exchange in October 2020 further boosted his wealth.
Philanthropy
Vyacheslav Kim is also known for his philanthropy. He has been involved in various charitable projects, including supporting the Ayala Charitable Foundation in the «Breathe, Baby» Project, the Mercy Voluntary Society, the «We will Win Autism» Project, and the «Build Your Business» Project in partnership with the Saby Charitable Foundation. He is also President of the Kazakhstan Taekwondo Federation.