After twenty- two years of living and working in Israel, and then in America, entrepreneur. Sergey Gribov. looks at Russia through the eyes of a foreigner. In fact, he is a foreigner. Homeland away his citizenship in 1990, when he left the Union. Then behind him was a twenty-year study at St. Petersburg man. Polytech. and military service. It seemed like a one-way road. But fate brings him back to Russia. Actually, this is purely a business relationship. Now Sergey Gribov lives in Boston, is involved in several start-ups in the West and in Russia, as well as under the brand «Startup Access» run together with.
RVC. exit a business incubator in Boston.
E. -. xecutive. ru. talked with the owner of the money, startups and life outside the homeland.
Sergey Gribov:. hard to say. At first I went to work in January 1993, when he was in Israel. company (.
Compugen. -.
E. -. xecutive. ru. ) Was a startup. He worked there for nine years, we have made IPO. It was after this consciously chose startups, because the big companies did not interest me.
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Petersburger Sergey Gribov spread its wings in Israel and America.
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E. -. xecutive. ru. :. Why?.
With. D. :. In a startup depends on you all, from each person depends on everything and everyone sees the results of their work in the final product. And in a big company you little cog in a huge mechanism. I like the feeling that a lot depends on me.
E. -. xecutive. ru. :. What thoughts went out of Russia?.
With. D. :. Like which ones? . Like freedom in every sense, so people and left. I am in the word ... This includes the freedom to do what you want, freedom to travel, freedom, financial and much more. I was twenty years old. I can not say that then clearly saw himself as an entrepreneur.
E. -. xecutive. ru. :. A risky move.
With. D. :. Very risky step. We left from the Soviet Union still. We strongly explained that we leave all that we here will never be allowed. I do not have Russian citizenship, have solemnly away in 1990. Therefore the move was much more serious than now when people go. It was a one-way road.
E. -. xecutive. ru. :. What happened in Israel, when they came?.
With. D. :. It is now Israel - the second largest in the world after the density of high-tech Silicon Valley. In the early 1990s, all this was not. Although even then the conditions for start-ups in Israel have been better than now in Russia. There was a human and legal basis.
E. -. xecutive. ru. :. Russia does not have the people and the laws?.
With. D. :. In Russian jurisdiction can not do many of the things that made the West. It is impossible to paint options, make human agreement between the founders and the like. The second - a very few people with significant experience. In Russia it is difficult to assemble a team, which would put a serious Western funds. this is normal. Just that very few people in Russia work in startups. Also in Boston, to assemble a team with the experience much more real. The Russian market is growing and there is money. But the smart money enough.
E. -. xecutive. ru. :. What do you call smart money?.
With. D. :. West Venture Fund invests in start-up, not only money but also expertise, communication, and a lot more then. Standard profile of venture capitalists in the United States is: a man in his time was the owner, made a number of successful companies and exits ( exit from a startup -. E. -. xecutive. ru. ), Then goes to the VCs. In Russia, these people are very few, so small and smart money.
Moreover, in Russia there are no examples. When entered into the transaction in the West, I can look at other deals and compare what the conditions adopted in similar startups, what conditions you can offer. This is, again, a consequence of youth market.
One problem people have is that they do not think that something may not be aware. Therefore allow even more stupid mistakes. Russia has come to you guys with a curious idea, they are enthusiastic, but when you start to talk to them, you know what they think they are smarter than others. They sure know how to do it right. They are not willing to listen, but they want $ 3 million for 10% of the company in the future. With such work is useless. But this is all a consequence of the small experience of the people.
E. -. xecutive. ru. :. Now many Russian startups targeting the global market....
With. D. :. To offer something for the world market, it is necessary to begin to understand the market. This is not as easy as it might seem. I often send in ideas for the western market, which can be seen a mile away, that people just do not understand what they say: it's a long time ago or are already there, or it is in FIG nobody needs.
While in Russia and in the West there are interesting startups. Those who are smarter, collect your bags and go for a few days or weeks abroad to live it, to communicate, to understand the people. Others are trying to say here that people need out there, and usually wrong. We start with the RVC -site incubator in Boston. The first pilot in early February. We will take out Russian startups for a few weeks in America with the support and active mentoring Networking.
E. -. xecutive. ru. :. Feel a special relationship in the West because of Russian origin?.
With. D. :. no. In America, no one cares where you. There is a sea of examples of successful entrepreneurs and managers of immigrants. And in terms of business ethics Russia still light years to the West. Oftentimes in Russia so that people either barely work, or simply do not perform the promised. In the West, this also happens, but much less.
E. -. xecutive. ru. :. Specify Russian colleagues for errors?.
With. D. :. Sometimes, but the people does not perceive. The case is still in the motivation. In the West people get startups options, this helps them to perceive the company as their own and work better. In Russia, many people work from nine to five in the evening, and then - come what may. When a person works only for wages, he did not care, you get out of something or not a startup.
E. -. xecutive. ru. :. Giving options in Russia does not allow the laws, it is clear. But why do people bypass other laws, and this can not?.
With. D. :. I see two reasons. First, people do not understand why they need it, they will receive from this. I had a history of. Relatively recently, we decided to give a piece of the founders of a reasonable and adequate human. When I told the man about this decision, he said, ... What I do for you? ... Secondly, so far little success stories, and exits. Need examples of ordinary programmer earns a lot of money option.
I also have the impression that many Russian startups find success story of raising money. The fact that the story of success - this is when money the investors and shareholders. And how much money you raised - this is not a measure. In America, it is understood, in Russia, there is often no.
Most recently spoke with the founder of a company, they did exit at $ 700 million, with the company set up by bootstrapping, that is his own money, no one investment is not taken. Here is a success story.
E. -. xecutive. ru. :. You go to start-ups, not in order to make money?.
With. D. :. People who go into startups just for the money, usually burn very quickly. No matter how good you are, the success rate is very low start-up. To see at least some money, we must successfully pass several startups. If you want money, go to a big company, get out there crazy salary and be happy. In a startup there are those who want to change something, and on account of this buzz.
E. -. xecutive. ru. :. What did you teach Israel?.
With. D. :. Perhaps this is the only country about which I can say is that I need it. In Russia, I have this feeling has never been. America is a big country. Personally, I'm American, probably not much need. Not for nothing is ready to declare war on Israel for one captive soldier. This is a small country, a small society there has its troubles, but still people out there relate to each other much more human.
E. -. xecutive. ru. :. What say about America?.
With. D. :. In America, comfortable to live in all respects. If you're not lazy and willing to plow, you ensure yourself a comfortable life. In fact, if you're there does not hurt, then you do not interfere.
Recently saw a poll.
... on the most attractive professions in Russia. This was in August 2011. Entrepreneurs dangling somewhere near criminal authorities. In the U.S., entrepreneurs - honorable profession. In Boston this year opened the alley entrepreneurs such as the one in Hollywood. Schools explained that the entrepreneur - it's good. Children understand this.
Last year, he felt proud of his son. He was then nine years old. He and his friend, who lives a couple of houses away, took a shovel and began to shovel snow on the tracks of the houses. Then he rang the owners. Someone gave the candy, but someone money. He came home proud. He said that he earned $ 24, which is his new business. I was proud of him because he had previously thought of. Children understand that if people are willing to pay for your service, it is a good service.
When the best and most intelligent people go to entrepreneurs, not to criminal authorities, the result of the corresponding.
E. -. xecutive. ru. :. What advise those who want to go abroad?.
With. D. :. To begin with, that I was one of those people well. People should be able to live and work wherever they want. If you believe that in America, you will be better, that's good. Moreover, it is good for Russia. Some of those who left will return, if Russia will be the conditions. One of the reasons for the current boom in start-ups in India and China is that many Indians and Chinese back after fifteen or twenty years of his life in America. They lived and studied, and have now returned and established companies in the homeland.
The advice is simple: we need to try, you have to go. But do not jump immediately to the head. There is no sense to pack your bags and go for life. Live in another country for several weeks. We must understand that no one is nowhere you can not wait. Neither in Russia, nor in America, nor in any other country. Anywhere in the world a particular person no one needs, but himself. And no you do not have to.
I have tons of friends whimpers and says that he wants to leave, but did not take any steps. Have friends who have decided to leave and after a few months were abroad. It is a matter of desire, willingness to sacrifice something, risk. You can live anywhere, just somewhere conditions better, and somewhere a little worse. If not lazy, you will do well everywhere.
