Alexander Vedyakhin, first deputy chairman of the Executive Board, Sberbank:
Our fifth batch is different from previous ones. For the first time, more than a third of the participants are technology startups with knowledge-intensive designs. More than 1,500 startups applied for the fifth batch of Sber500, with one in four entries coming from abroad — this number attests to the trust in this country and in Sber as a reliable and promising partner. Sber500 graduates of the previous four batches have already proven their relevance both in and outside Russia. They have raised RUB 3.5 bn, while their annual revenue has grown by an average of 70%. We believe in startups and proactive people and want to help them make new breakthroughs. The Demo Day is a great opportunity to grow a business dramatically.