Sergei Popov (businessman)
Sergei Viktorovich Popov | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 12, 1971 Russia |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, Businessman |
| Known for | Co-founder of MDM Business Concern, Chairman of MDM Industrial Group |
Sergei Viktorovich Popov (; born 12 August 1971) is a prominent Russian entrepreneur and billionaire.
Early life and education
Popov obtained his Bachelor's Degree from the Ural Polytechnic Institute.
Career
In 1994, Popov co-established Prodcontract, a company that provided scrap metal to Russia's foremost metallurgical enterprises. Two years later, in 1996, he co-founded MDM Business Concern and held the role of partner and business manager between 1997 and 1999.
By the year 2000, he took on the role of co-founder and Chairman of MDM Industrial Group, which concentrated on sectors such as pipes, fertilisers, and thermal coal. The Group expanded by acquiring significant companies including OAO TMK, a leading manufacturer of oil and gas pipelines; SUEK, Russia’s largest coal energy producer; and Eurochem, one of the world’s top mineral fertiliser producers. In 2003, Popov acquired a 50% ownership stake in MDM Bank.
Starting in 2006, Popov began selling off his assets and completed his full withdrawal from active investments by 2016 when he sold his shares in MDM Bank to B&N Bank.
He played a key role as a founding member of the Moscow School of Management SKOLKOVO. In 2010, Popov launched Agat, a private fund that supports startups by offering seed capital alongside a mentoring program aimed at young entrepreneurs.
Net worth
Forbes estimated his net worth at $3.1 billion in 2022, placing him as the 984th wealthiest individual worldwide.