Ilya Ponomarev

Ilya Ponomarev has more than 20 years of prominent political stance, complemented with international operational and investment experience working in high technology industries with primary focus on IT and energy.

Currently Ilya is an opposition member of Russian Parliament – State Duma, Social Democrat representing Novosibirsk – the capital of Siberia, and is chairing Innovations and Venture Capital (formerly Hi-Tech development) subcommittee, introducing legislation to support emerging innovation economy in Russia. Among his recent achievements is the amendment to the Civil Code, legalizing LLPs in Russia, Net Businesses Act, and new State Procurement Regulations, as well as numerous other fiscal and economic measures to support small and medium businesses in Russia and foster competition. He also serves as the Advisor on International Business Development, Commercialization and Technology Transfer for the President of Skolkovo Foundation – managing company of the project chaired by Pres. Medvedev, which is to become the spinal cord of Russian innovation ecosystem. In May 2014 Ilya Ponomarev was also named Counsellor for Strategic Development and Investments for city of Novosibirsk, the largest municipality in Russia.

Before being elected, Hon. Ponomarev was working for Secretary of IT and Telecom as national coordinator for hi-tech parks task force – $6 bln. private-public project to develop a network of small settlements across the country for fostering innovation and R&D activities. Earlier Ilya held various positions in government offices and private companies. Most remarkable positions include:

– Vice president of Yukos Oil Company, largest Russian oil and gas corporation. Ilya’s duties during 4 years at Yukos at different times included being its Vice-President, corporate CIO as well as chief executive and chief of operations in Yukos’ oilfield technologies and services subsidiaries and daughter investment company (specialized in high technologies);

– Vice president for strategy, regional development and government relations at IBS, largest Russian system integrator and consulting company;

– Director for CIS Business Development and Marketing for Schlumberger Oilfield Services, responsible for scouting, adopting into Schlumberger product lines and further global marketing of Russia-originated technologies in energy sector.

Before joining Schlumberger, Ilya was among founders of two successful high technology start-ups in Russia and US. His first job position was in Institute for Nuclear Safety (IBRAE), Russian Academy of Sciences.

Ilya Ponomarev holds BSc in Physics from Moscow State University and Master of Public Administration from Russian State Social University. He is member of Society of Petroleum Engineers (IT), Council for Foreign and Defense Policies, Council for National Strategy, fellow at “Open Russia” foundation. Hon. Ponomarev is supervising innovation policies research at Institute of Contemporary Development (INSOR, think-tank chaired by Pres. Medvedev), and political studies at Institute of Globalization Studies (IPROG). He also chairs Boards of Trustees at Institute of Innovation Studies, think tank working on legislation for high-tech industries, and Open Projects Foundation – investment vehicle for projects in crowdfunding, crowdsourcing and open government. Ilya Ponomarev is a member of Global Science and Innovations Council (GSIAC), chaired by Prime Minister of Malaysia. He is an author of numerous research papers and magazine articles about new economy development, regional policies, education and international relations. In 2014 Ilya Ponomarev became founder of Institute of Siberia – analytical center focused on regional development of this dynamic Russian territory.

Ilya Ponomarev is one of leaders of anti-Putin opposition in Russia. He played key role in protests of 2012; during 2013-2014 he opposed antidemocratic legislation introduced in the country, was the only MP in Duma to vote against annexation of Crimea.

Until late 2013 Ilya Ponomarev was member of Central Committee, Political Party “Fair Russia” (Social Democrats); at the beginning of 2014 took part in formation of new political party “Alliance of Greens and Social-Democrats”.