Imaguru, founded in 2013 by Tatyana Marynich and Anastasiya Khamiankova, became a pivotal startup hub in Minsk, nurturing over 300 companies and attracting over $100 million in investment. It served as the backbone of Belarus's tech ecosystem, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in a traditionally state-dominated economy. However, in a crackdown on innovation, the Belarusian authorities sentenced the founders to a total of 23 years in prison, claiming their independent business model was "extremist," and later seized their property. The founders' struggle underscores the increased dangers faced by entrepreneurs in authoritarian regimes.
What began as an attempt to silence innovation has evolved into the full criminalization of independent business.
They were the main focal point of the venture community in Belarus.
Imaguru was the first central place where startup founders and aspiring tech entrepreneurs came together in Belarus.
They brought together talent, investors, angels, ran the most significant programs-it was always a pleasure to go there.
Collection
[
|
...
]