SDEK launched delivery on the same day, Aquarius filed a lawsuit against the Fplus group company – the main thing on March 15

Investments

• TMS Group LLC, which is part of the Tagras oilfield services holding company, became the owner of a 20% stake in the VimpelCom structure for investments in new companies – Hive LLC. Last August, Hive announced its intention to attract external partners. Currently, this company’s portfolio includes 15 startups. Hive intends to continue its active investment over the next few years.

• Care my baby, an online service of additional education for children aged 2 to 10, attracted an investment of 9 million rubles from the Moscow Seed Fund. Gamification, animation, etc. are used to engage children in classes. In addition, artificial intelligence allows teachers to personalize lessons for a specific child. The team will use most of the funds to attract new clients.

• The inDrive service has attracted a $150 investment from General Catalyst. The money will be used to launch new security features and expand into new markets. A total of $300 million has been raised from General Catalyst; the previous round took place in February last year.

• The factoring company Global Factoring Network raised 20 million rubles through the investment platform Lender Invest (resident in Skolkovo). The company said that in 2024, demand for factoring financing by small and micro businesses increased by 20%.

• Adobe shares fell 14% after a strong quarterly financial report. Revenues and profits exceeded analysts’ expectations, but forecasts for higher revenues were not satisfactory and shareholders staged a liquidation.

Finance

• The DIA refunded Qiwi Bank depositors 3.26 billion rubles. This is 75% of the entire insurance liability. 6.9 thousand legal entities and individuals received funds.

• The former Kazakh subsidiary of Sberbank will stop working with Mir cards. Acceptance of non-cash payments at bank terminals will no longer be available starting March 17. The operator of the global system is the NSPK, against which the United States has imposed sanctions.

Business

• The turnover of the Russian online cinema market in 2023 increased by 45% compared to 2022. In 2022, revenue from video services from subscriptions and advertising amounted to 55.8 billion rubles; in 2023, the figure increased to 80.9 billion rubles.
• Project Office LLC (owned by Vkusville) became the owner of 80% of the Vmeste company, the remaining 20% ​​belonged to the co-owner of the Do.bro Coffee chain of coffee shops, Egor Matveev.
• The developer and manufacturer of electronic products Aquarius filed two lawsuits with the Moscow Arbitration Court against the distributor MKT (part of the Fplus holding). The total amount of claims amounted to 108.1 million rubles.
• Yandex Market sellers will be able to set up discounts at eco-friendly prices and not just offer higher cashback with Plus points for purchasing their products on the site. Yandex Market is expanding the capabilities of its loyalty program, the company announced.

• MTS Travel has implemented features for business travelers, adding the “Travel for Work” option. It will be useful for employees of medium and small businesses who independently book hotels for business trips.

• Foreign appliance manufacturers (Electrolux and Groupe SEB) have begun to limit parallel imports to Russia; Companies are adding a clause prohibiting re-exports to contracts with partners from other countries. In addition, manufacturers are taking measures to block the placement of products on the markets.

• Sovcombank recorded a record net profit for 2023. Its volume amounted to 95 billion rubles with an increase in interest margin of 35% and return on equity of 45%.
• Private rail operator Globaltrans has completed its redomiciliation from Cyprus to the United Arab Emirates. The company re-registered in Abu Dhabi and announced its intention to continue trading on the Moscow Stock Exchange and the LSE. The company’s shares rose in price as a result of the news.

Services and technologies

• Vkusville launched AGV robots in one of its distribution centers. The company is solving the problem of transitioning to “ideal” warehouses. By using robots, it was possible to achieve greater precision in inventory management.
• X5 Group now has a service for purchasing and delivering products from foreign online stores – 5post.market. The products are brought from Germany, Turkey, the Czech Republic and the United States.
• SDEK launched same-day delivery within one city. Users will be able to receive the package within four hours of placing the order on the mobile application.
• Microsoft sent letters to Russian customers about suspending access to cloud products, RBC reported. Access to services will be closed from March 20. The decision is due to EU sanctions imposed on Russia.

Transport

• Yandex scooters came to Adler and Sirius. Ninebot Max Plus 2022 is available for rent. You can rent a scooter with two rates: “Fixed” and “Per minute”. The first is suitable for a previously known route, the second – for walking around the city.

• Once Russia’s largest cargo airline, AirBridgeCargo, has begun returning its fleet to foreign lessors, Kommersant writes.
• The Avito Auto service has added a section with special offers from the dealer to its mobile application. Currently there are more than 15 thousand such ads, among which bonuses are offered: “Repair guarantee”, “Gift set of tires”, “Discount on CASCO”, “Quick registration”, etc.

• The first unmanned tram is planned to be put into operation in Moscow in 2024. And by 2030, the capital’s authorities intend to begin implementing a project to transfer all Moscow transport to unmanned control.