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Aleksandr GalitskiyInternational venture investor, businessman, founder of the Almaz Capital fund
Date of Birth: 01.01.1955
Country:  Ukraine |
Content:
- Childhood and Education
- Early Career
- A Pivotal Visit to Silicon Valley
- Entrepreneurial Ventures
- Almaz Capital: A Global Venture Fund
- Recent Developments
Childhood and Education
Alexander Galitsky was born in the village of Zarechany, Ukraine, in 1955. His father was a farm chairman, and his mother was a literature teacher. As a child, Galitsky showed a keen interest in both the sciences and humanities. He initially dreamed of becoming a journalist, but his father swayed him towards science and technology. After obtaining a gold medal in high school, Galitsky enrolled in the Moscow Institute of Electronic Engineering in Zelenograd.
Early Career
During his undergraduate studies, Galitsky interned at the NIIMP (Research Institute of Microdevices) in Zelenograd. He graduated and eventually became the chief designer of the department responsible for developing software for satellites.
A Pivotal Visit to Silicon Valley
In 1991, Galitsky visited the United States and was profoundly influenced by his experience in Silicon Valley. Witnessing the creativity and innovation in the technology hub, he returned home determined to promote Russian technology abroad through venture capital.
Entrepreneurial Ventures
Galitsky launched his first business venture, ELVIS+, in 1991. The company developed a VPN for Windows and a prototype for Wi-Fi. He followed this with international projects in the IT sector, including TrustWorks and EzWim in the Netherlands.
Almaz Capital: A Global Venture Fund
In 2008, Galitsky co-founded Almaz Capital, an international venture fund investing in startups with global market potential. The fund has attracted institutional investors such as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Cisco Systems, and the International Finance Corporation. Almaz Capital focuses primarily on early-stage B2B software companies in Eastern and Central Europe and the CIS region.
Recent Developments
Galitsky has participated in various government-led initiatives, including serving on the boards of the Skolkovo Foundation and the Skolkovo Venture Investment Fund. He has since distanced himself from these projects, choosing to focus on his cross-border ventures.
