The “Growth Platform” project, a federal initiative aimed at supporting small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) across Russia, will be presented at the “My Business Forum” in St. Petersburg on June 17. Wildberries founder and head of RVB, Tatyana Kim, will spearhead the presentation.

The “Growth Platform,” launched in December 2024 by RVB (Wildberries & Russ) and the Agency for Strategic Initiatives (ASI), has already attracted over 300 brands from various Russian regions, including the Arctic and Chukotka. The St. Petersburg event will host a meeting with the first 50 companies prepared to join the support program.

According to Tatyana Kim, participation in the project has enabled entrepreneurs from other regions to boost their turnover and expand to federal and international markets. She expressed her anticipation for meeting with local producers in St. Petersburg, expecting to discover numerous ambitious brands.

Alexander Sitov, Chairman of the Committee for Industrial Policy, Innovation and Trade of St. Petersburg, emphasized the resilience of SMEs during challenging times, noting their continued progress and the increasing number of projects and technologies. He stressed the importance of consolidating positive momentum and strengthening SMEs’ role as a vital component of the Russian economy.

Lev Kuznetsov, head of the “My Business Forum,” highlighted St. Petersburg’s historical role as a driver of entrepreneurial initiatives. He underscored the project’s significance in streamlining the path for SMEs to reach a large marketplace audience, calling it a proven system of support.

The “Growth Platform” program will provide participants with access to Wildberries analytics and promotion tools, educational programs on marketplace operations, and inclusion in a special “Made in St. Petersburg” section. Participants will also receive support for entering international markets. Company analysts reported sales growth of 53-68% for local brands in participating regions compared to the previous year, alongside a 21% increase in the number of entrepreneurs on the marketplace.

The “My Business Forum” is organized by the Government of St. Petersburg, with support from the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia and the Center for Development and Support of Entrepreneurship.