Early Life
Igor Vladimirovich Rybakov was born on May 16, 1972, in Magnitogorsk, Russia. During his high school years, in 1988, Rybakov worked in a student construction brigade, earning a significant sum that sparked his interest in the construction field.
Rise to Success
In 1992, while studying at the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Rybakov co-founded Technonicol with Sergey Kolesnikov. The company started as a trading company and quickly grew into Russia's largest roofing-supply company. By 2024, Technonicol reported revenue of $2.99 billion. Rybakov ran the business until 2015, after which he co-founded Prytek, a technology company. Rybakov's success in Technonicol and subsequent ventures has led to his significant wealth and recognition on the Forbes Billionaires list.
Key Business Strategies
Rybakov's business strategy has focused on building Technonicol into a global entity with 53 manufacturing sites across seven countries and a wide distribution network. His approach involves innovation, strategic investments, and a commitment to quality. Rybakov stepped back from the day-to-day operations in 2015 to focus on managing his fortune and philanthropy.
Philanthropy
In 2015, Rybakov and his wife Ekaterina founded the Rybakov Foundation to promote entrepreneurial education and social impact initiatives. The foundation's main project is the Rybakov Prize, which awards $1.2 million annually to social entrepreneurs advancing access to quality education. Rybakov's philanthropic efforts also include creating an endowment for his former school and supporting various social causes.
