Results-driven Head of Business Development & Innovation with 17+ years of experience in animal nutrition, feed additives and agri-biotech. Proven track record of launching innovative products, managing large R&D and venture portfolios (70+ projects), and building strategic partnerships with multinational corporations, government agencies and venture-backed startups. Combines a strong scientific background with a deep understanding of commercial market dynamics, from early-stage validation to large-scale commercialization. Has secured multi-million-dollar investments and government grants for technology projects and maintains an extensive network across leading Russian agroholdings and key regulatory bodies.
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:
- Directed the federal innovation project “Agrohen” (Advanced Engineering School) as Project Director, raising approximately RUB 1 billion in combined government and partner funding for genomic selection technologies in livestock and crops, while coordinating a multi‑stakeholder consortium of universities, research institutes and commercial partners;
- Drove the AgTech/FoodTech/BioTech agenda at Skolkovo Foundation, managing a portfolio of 70+ innovation projects in animal nutrition, vaccines, genetics and livestock technologies — from early‑stage validation through commercialization and partnerships with major agroholdings;
- Built the corporate innovation function at RedStone Capital / Kievskaya Ploshchad Holding from scratch, managing 15+ technology ventures in AgTech, FoodTech and BioTech, including the industrialization of Black Soldier Fly (BSF) protein (Ecobelok LLC) and leading M&A and investment due‑diligence processes;
- Strengthened the innovation and business‑development function at VNIIPD, shaping a pipeline of new feed and food‑additive products, establishing long‑term partnerships with leading agroholdings and securing multiple grants and government support programs for R&D and commercialization;
- Contributed to the innovation pipeline at EFKO Group (≈€4 B food & feed company) by scouting external technologies and startups, coordinating market and technology verification, and supporting clinical trials and certification of new feed additives;
- Founded and scaled Yumster LLC from concept to market‑ready product, developing an innovative pet‑food line based on hypoallergenic BSF protein, attracting seed investment, and launching sales in the premium pet‑nutrition segment;
- Delivered measurable commercial and technical results in earlier roles (Veleguard, Elanco) by expanding key‑account portfolios in swine and poultry, running clinical and post‑marketing trials of feed additives, and supporting customers through technical consulting and training programs.