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Course with employment: "Profession Methodologist from scratch to PRO»
Learn moreKIDSDEV Academy of the Future
The essence of the project is to develop an innovative solution aimed at satisfying user needs. We strive to create a product that is not only functional but also easy to use. The main goal of the project is to optimize processes and increase efficiency, which will allow our clients to achieve better results in their activities. We focus on modern technologies and methods to ensure the high quality and reliability of our product. It is important that every element of the project meets user expectations and contributes to their success.
Business training for children aged seven and up. The program is aimed at developing entrepreneurial skills in children, forming financial literacy and understanding the basics of business. Lessons include practical exercises that help children learn to plan their actions, make decisions and work in a team. The training is interactive, which makes the process engaging and effective. Children learn the fundamentals of marketing, time management, and resource management, which contributes to their personal growth and preparation for future professional life.
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Our training covers a wide range of topics and areas aimed at developing professional skills. We offer courses, seminars, and workshops that help participants deepen their knowledge and master new technologies. Our programs are tailored to current market needs and include both theoretical and practical classes.
We pay special attention to the individual needs of each student, ensuring maximum effectiveness. Our team of experienced instructors provides high-quality training using modern methods and tools. Training is conducted in a convenient format, making it accessible to specialists of all levels.
Join our courses and discover new opportunities for professional growth and development.
Offline and online courses for schoolchildren, as well as children's camps, offer unique opportunities for learning and development. These programs help children develop the skills necessary for a successful future and promote their personal growth. Offline courses provide live interaction with teachers and peers, which promotes better learning. Online courses, in turn, provide flexibility and access to learning from anywhere, which is especially relevant in today's digital society. Children's camps offer not only classes in various fields but also the opportunity to make new acquaintances, develop team spirit, and improve social skills. The choice between offline and online formats depends on the child's preferences and their educational goals.
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Entrepreneurs aren't born, they are made. Preparation for entrepreneurship can begin in elementary school, says Irina Leontyeva, founder of the KIDSDEV Academy of the Future. This concept formed the basis of her project—a miniature MBA, business courses for children. Everything here is organized just like in a real business: training is conducted by expert practitioners, and mentors are specialists from large corporations. Children have the opportunity to turn their hobbies into full-fledged business projects, developing skills that will serve them well in the future. Irina shared a fascinating story about the creation of her unique courses with Skillbox Media. She described the process of developing educational materials, how innovative approaches to teaching are implemented, and what modern technologies are used to improve the effectiveness of the educational process. Irina noted that the main goal of her courses is not only to impart knowledge but also to develop practical skills necessary for a successful career. An important aspect of her work is constant interaction with students and collecting feedback, which allows her to improve the courses and adapt them to their needs. This story inspires the creation of high-quality content and emphasizes the importance of an individual approach in education.
- Why it is necessary to change the usual level of children's thinking;
- How not to be afraid to invite star experts to a project;
- How to prepare an expert to speak in front of children so that they do not later ask: "Let him never come again";
- Why an offline school does not need its own permanent premises;
- Why children need internships in corporations and why they are interested in it;
- What do parents really want when they bring their children to study business.
The Beginning: From a Random Idea to a Serious Project
My specialization includes commercial activity and international trade, which is not related to my education. I studied in France, and it was there that I came up with the idea of creating business courses. This idea arose intuitively and was subsequently confirmed by market needs.
During a marketing lecture in France, we were taught basic concepts such as price, market, and demand. These topics could have been introduced much earlier, so that students at university could focus on more complex problems. I realized that the lack of marketing as a business discipline in the school curriculum was a missed opportunity, and this became the original source of my idea for creating marketing courses.
We were taught using real-life examples, emphasizing that you can't copy or plagiarize. You need to use all available resources to develop a sales strategy, for example, for a new Chupa Chups for schoolchildren. The instructors were experienced professionals, such as the advertising director of the Michelin plant. As a result, I came to the conclusion that it is best to learn from experts, studying relevant cases, and then immediately apply the acquired knowledge in practice. This allows not only for a deeper understanding but also for the successful implementation of ideas in real-world settings.
After several years of study, I was preparing to become a mother, and while traveling on a train, I came across an article in Forbes about the lack of children's business education in Russia. At that time, there were only career guidance courses and case studies, but no corporate tours or internships for children aged 9-10. The instructors were typically students, not business professionals. This information prompted me to seriously consider starting my own project, which coincided with my long-held dream: to leave my job and realize my ideas. After the birth of my child, I became a startup mom: I developed a website at night and later joined an accelerator at the Agency for Strategic Initiatives (ASI). My project began to take on real forms and prospects.
The project was initially called Kids Develop, but later it was decided to shorten it to KIDSDEV. I've often repeated the motto: "Kids Develop in Every Home." This phrase reflects our mission—to eliminate poverty and the misguided thinking that breeds it. We strive to make education accessible to every child to foster a healthy and positive outlook from an early age. KIDSDEV actively works to create the conditions for children's holistic development, which in turn will contribute to the improvement of their future and society as a whole.
If children perceived the world differently and understood the true value of money, perhaps our society would change for the better. My mission is to raise the level of financial awareness in the younger generation. If all children knew that money represents more than just an expense, but new opportunities, as our co-author Victoria Lubnina, Senior Vice President of Finance at Azbuka Vkusa, teaches, this could lead to a significant increase in small business in the country. People would realize they can create something on their own. Unfortunately, many still believe that the only path to success is a contract job, for example, in a factory. It is important to change this perception and inspire the younger generation to take an active role in business.
On the Sochi embankment, there is a cafe with the simple name "Solnyshko," and this reminds me of the importance of business education. This establishment could become not just a place to relax but also a center of attraction for tourists and locals. There is potential here to create exciting events, improve infrastructure, and attract investment. The right approach to developing such a place can not only enhance its attractiveness but also create new jobs, which will positively impact the region's economy. Introducing small courses like KIDSDEV into the educational system of all schools across the country would contribute to a significant shift in the economic paradigm. Although the results will not be immediately noticeable, within ten years this could lead to the formation of a new generation of specialists with modern skills and knowledge. Successful integration of such programs into school education will ensure the development of critical thinking, creativity, and technological literacy in children, which in turn will positively impact economic growth and the country's competitiveness. Proper thinking should be shaped from an early age, starting in school, which contributes to the conversion of ideas into successful businesses. Today, many people are afraid of starting their own business; they are deterred by uncertainty and limited thinking. I went through this myself, because I did not immediately decide to become an entrepreneur. Introducing a business course into the school curriculum could be a significant step toward changing this situation. I'm confident this will become a reality in the future.
Development: From Children's Camp to Courses
In July 2018, I launched my first business camp, but preparations for this event began six months before the opening. My extensive experience working with large companies played a significant role in this process. I learned how to find the right people, negotiate effectively, and present my project competently. These skills became key in finding partners and ensuring the successful launch of my business.
Siemens became our first partner. We organized master classes for employees' children, which became an excellent start for further cooperation. Siemens actively shares information about our project among its employees, and their children regularly attend our camp, participating in a variety of activities. This partnership continues today: we conduct both in-person and virtual tours for company employees, and our graduates have the opportunity to participate in business breakfasts with management. In this way, we strengthen the connection between education and business, providing children with unique development and learning opportunities.
At that time, we began collaborating with the Coca-Cola Company, visiting the plant and holding master classes on developing new flavors. Our third partner for the camp was the CTC Kids television channel, which was just starting out. We organized tours of the office, where the children participated in the creation and dubbing of the original animated series "Tsarevny." The children served as a focus group, privileged to listen to the characters' voices, which helped the creators better understand the preferences of a young audience. This interaction contributed to the development of creativity in children and the strengthening of partnerships between the camp and major brands.
I began to actively develop case studies with corporations, adapting their practices for children. My goal is to make complex business ideas understandable and engaging for the younger generation, inspiring them to explore entrepreneurship and innovation.
Our collaborations with businesses go beyond simple ice cream factory tours, often referred to as collaborations. This requires meticulous and ongoing work, as well as active networking. We strive to create deep and sustainable partnerships that bring real benefits to both children and companies. Our goal is not simply to organize engaging events but also to implement educational programs that help children understand the processes behind production and develop their interest in entrepreneurship.
We organize field trips for students to the Leroy Merlin store, where we develop special tasks. For example, children can find a product at a discounted price or chat with the store's French director. These hands-on experiences immerse children in a real business environment, developing their skills and interest in entrepreneurship. We offer a variety of similar events that foster business activity and broaden students' horizons.
Initially, we recruited participants for the business camp through newsletters sent to employees of partner companies. We managed to attract about 25 children in the first session. After the camp ended, word of mouth took hold, and in September of that year, we launched offline courses, which attracted 72 children. Initially, due to a lack of experience, we rarely accepted new students, and the courses lasted eight months. However, it soon became clear that this period was too long for children's activities. Parents were unwilling to pay for eight months of courses at once, as this increased the risk of attrition—the group could eventually shrink to three people, which was insufficient for effective group activities. To maintain high attendance and interest, we shortened the course to four months.
Initially, I used the usual model, as in most schools, in which a visiting specialist shares their content, gives a lecture, and then disappears, leaving the students without further material. However, I soon realized this approach was ineffective. Conventional lectures held no appeal for me or the students. I strove to create an atmosphere where learning felt more like real life, with the participation of trackers and entrepreneurs.
I met like-minded people and experts in fields such as project management, marketing, economics, and HR. These specialists are among the top five according to Kommersant's "Top 1000 Russian Managers" rating. Together, we developed unique, original courses that became the foundation of our educational program. Our goal is to develop the necessary skills and thinking in children to help them thrive in the future.
We held meetings to generate ideas and gather relevant business solutions. Our methodologists adapted the experts' suggestions based on age group: suitable cartoons were selected for younger children, and engaging videos for older children. We then discussed the program together again to ensure our understanding was correct and all aspects were consistent.
The development process was so labor-intensive that we were completely immersed in it during the first year. Two weeks before classes, the course content was still in the design phase.
Business education is currently actively developing and changing. In contrast to the stagnant approach to teaching the present simple in English classes, new brands and methods are constantly emerging in business education. This is due to the market demanding fresh ideas and unique cases, as well as specialists capable of adapting to changing conditions. Thus, business education becomes more dynamic and relevant, which contributes to its constant updating and improvement.
Partners and experts whom we invite to work with children are usually not surprised by our proposals. For example, we organized a visit to the Avito office, where we were met by the Marketing Director of the Avito Jobs division. I offered to help her refine the marketing curriculum, and it turned out she had long wanted to work with children. A similar situation occurred with the PR Director of Tinkoff, who without hesitation agreed to give a lecture on PR for our students. Such interactions enrich the educational process and make it more practical and interesting for the children.
Inviting a star expert can seem like a daunting task. Fear and doubt often arise: how would such a highly professional agree? Nevertheless, I overcome these fears and offer cooperation. Experts are generally open to sharing their experience and knowledge. In all my time, I have never had a single refusal. This confirms that many specialists value the opportunity to share their experience and interact with an audience.
Networking has played a key role in the development of KIDSDEV. For example, the trackers from the ASI accelerator, who once contributed to the growth of my project, now teach with us. We are located in a unique ecosystem where all participants know each other well. If I need an expert in a specific field, I can always turn to the community for help and quickly find the right specialist. Often, simply sending a request to the corporation is enough, and professionals respond. This creates significant value for our project and contributes to its successful development.
We provide educational content to the experts who come to us to teach. They can share their experience, case studies, and videos, but they must follow our scripts. This is necessary, as our content is adapted for children. We once made the mistake of allowing an expert to read the material independently. He came with his own program and was confident in his abilities thanks to his experience working with adults. However, after the lesson, the children asked him not to come again.
We check the content for suitability for a child audience, always asking whether the expert has children of his own and has experience speaking to children. We aim to organize the first lesson with a group of students for whom the experiment will be safe. Alternatively, we hold additional master classes with children from various schools to test their reactions and adapt the content to the needs of a young audience.
During the first year of the experiment, we noticed that new experts were arriving regularly. Initially, I assumed that economics would be taught by an economist, marketing by a marketer, and so on. However, the children, especially the younger ones, did not clearly understand the connections between the subjects. Therefore, we decided to have a single mentor for the entire course, and once a month, an external specialist will come to discuss interesting and relevant topics. For example, if the main mentor is a marketer, we invite a financier as an expert. If the mentor is an economist, we might invite a PR specialist, social media specialist, or marketer, as we did with Mike Gibson. Now, presentations by external experts are held no more than once a month, which helps maintain a balance between core training and additional knowledge.
Mentors support children and their learning projects, providing complete guidance from start to finish. All of them have business experience, providing valuable knowledge and practical skills. Among the mentors are the HR business partner of Coca-Cola in Russia, a tracker for the Internet Initiatives Development Fund, the head of the Moscow accelerator, the head of the training department at Siemens, and the director of development and acceleration programs at the RSPP business school. These professionals help children develop their ideas and projects, using their experience and resources to achieve success.
Mentors are not traditional teachers, as they lack formal training in teaching. However, they possess the charisma and experience to effectively impart knowledge. We select mentors with experience working with large audiences, at least 100 people. Their goal is to teach children about adult life, rather than following the stereotypical "I'm the teacher, you listen" model. Mentors establish informal relationships, using informal "you" to engage children. They encourage questions and initiative, which confirms the success of this approach.
The younger group of children, aged 7-9, receives special attention and care. They are assigned special mentors, often young mothers, who possess a unique ability to calm children during times of stress. Our team includes experts from Lego and the former HR director of the Khleb Nasushny chain of stores. With twenty years of experience in leadership positions, she chose teaching and has a keen interest in child psychology. This allows us to provide high-quality education and support for our youngest students.
Project model: a school without space with a boutique approach
The project is aimed at children aged 7 to 16. We offer three age groups: 7-9 years old, 10-12 years old, and 13-16 years old. Sometimes 17-year-old participants join us. The largest number of students are in the 10-12 age category.
KIDSDEV has two key areas. The first is business holidays, which include both city and off-site programs. All programs are developed in collaboration with experienced specialists. For example, an expert from Mail.ru participated in the "Create Your Website" project, and the career guidance program was implemented jointly with SuperJob. These initiatives are aimed at developing skills in children and teenagers, allowing them to immerse themselves in the world of business and technology.
The second important aspect is the long-term offline and online courses. Classes are held once a week for two hours. Over the course of four months, participants learn the basics of project management, marketing, and SMART goal setting. They then develop a financial model for their own project. Additionally, once a month, each group visits the office of one of the partner companies, allowing them to gain practical experience. As a result, during the entire course, the students will make four trips to companies, which will contribute to a better understanding of real business processes.
Partnership is an important aspect of social responsibility for business. Obviously, if companies weren't interested in collaborating with us, they wouldn't even discuss it. Many organizations already implement educational programs for children and similar initiatives, demonstrating their commitment to social development and supporting the younger generation.
The terms of collaboration depend on the specific company, as interaction models can vary. Typically, all services have a price, as specialists' time is valuable. Finding compromises is important. We strive to provide our partners with services equivalent to those they provide to us. For example, we organize large-scale events such as Family Days to foster mutually beneficial collaboration and maintain good relationships.
Our training format includes offline classes in various locations, without being tied to a single school or building. Classes are held at Marriott and Azimut hotels, MegaFon's headquarters, SuperJob sites, Skolkovo, as well as in private schools, technology parks, and libraries. At these branches, we form groups for effective learning.
This approach is driven by flexibility: our students can conveniently travel to different parts of the city—the south, north, west, and east. If we were limited to one location, not everyone would be able to come. Furthermore, constantly renting premises entails additional costs. During the lockdown, this strategy proved very effective, as we avoided spending on unused space. Being able to anticipate new restrictions in advance significantly simplifies planning for the coming months.
During the pandemic, we adapted our classes to an online format. This process began even before the official lockdown in 2020, when we were preparing to launch our traditional spring camp. The idea to move the camp online arose spontaneously in response to current events. Preparations were already in the final stages, and we had to act quickly: we rewrote the program in just one day. We also partnered with partners to conduct virtual tours and online connections from businesses, having carefully analyzed available digital services. At the time, no one could have predicted that the entire country would switch to video conferencing platforms, but we had already recognized the need. It's safe to say that we became one of the first online camps in Russia.
We successfully adapted the experience gained at the camp to our courses, allowing us to continue teaching over a hundred students who had previously studied in offline groups. In late spring, our students defended their projects online for the first time, holding daily sessions, some of which lasted up to four hours. This innovation was received very positively by both the jury and the students themselves. By December, having returned to our usual mode of operation, we began conducting hybrid defenses: students who were in quarantine were able to join us via Zoom. This approach not only maintained collaboration but also allowed us to expand our audience, improving the conditions for learning and project presentation.
We now operate an online school for Russian-speaking children from around the world, from the Caribbean to Switzerland. Parents note the lack of similar educational programs in their countries, making our offer particularly attractive. In response to this interest, we have also adapted some of our business tours, including live broadcasts from factories and headquarters, for online learning. This allows us to expand access to high-quality education and unique experiences for children, regardless of their location.
We do not offer online learning as a separate product; it is essentially a self-selling program. Many students face difficulties traveling to other cities, and some apply from other countries, mistakenly believing the program is remote. We gather these students for a remote group once a month. We also support some educational institutions, such as the Podmoskovny Lyceum in Korallovo, where children live in a boarding school and are unable to travel. Creating an online program as a mass product is not part of my plans. What we offer children cannot be scaled to a wide market where everyone can buy it. We adhere to a boutique approach, which allows us to focus on the quality and individuality of each product. By the end of the course, each child develops a unique project based on their own idea. If they lack inspiration, we will help them find an interesting concept. The project can be related to their interests or hobbies, which will allow children to express their creativity and bring their ideas to life. Children often don't realize that their hobbies, such as football or hair braiding, can become the basis for their own business. However, thanks to our support, they begin to understand the opportunities that entrepreneurship offers. In courses that teach children to see the world from an adult perspective, they develop the necessary logical chain for analyzing the market and evaluating their ideas. We help them develop critical thinking and skills that positively impact their future.
Children are incredibly creative, creating unique projects: from pet clothes to customized sneakers and Online platforms for musicians. For example, there's an app for designers that allows you to photograph clothes and find the perfect combination. Among our students, there's a talented young designer who has already created two thousand clothing sketches. His work was showcased at Louis Vuitton and Bosco exhibitions, where it received high praise from experts. One of our students wrote a book for teenagers, "About Business at 13," which was successfully presented at the 2021 St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF). Our students also develop their own websites, apps, and games, and engage in resale, for example, by ordering products on AliExpress and selling them at a profit.
At the end of the course, there's a Demo Day, where participants, dressed in stylish suits, present their projects and business plans to a panel of experts. Presentation preparation is supported by experienced mentors, allowing participants to showcase their ideas at a high level. This event is an important part of the training, providing an opportunity to receive valuable feedback and advice from industry professionals.
Our jury includes experienced professionals from the Moscow Department of Entrepreneurship and the Agency for Strategic Initiatives. Their interest in children's projects is noticeable: participants receive numerous questions, highlighting the importance and relevance of the ideas presented. We strive to create a platform for the exchange of knowledge and experience, where young entrepreneurs can showcase their developments and receive valuable feedback from experts.
Participants are rewarded with gifts and internships from our partners. We strive to select internships based on the individual talents and needs of each child, for which we create separate profiles. We also use a similar approach when selecting jury members for Demo Day. This is our boutique method: we want every child to have a truly interesting experience. Of course, this approach requires significant effort and resources, and it would be impossible to implement it on a large scale.
Each student has the opportunity to complete a personal internship. This is especially important for children, as they may feel upset if some receive more opportunities than others. Our goal is to ensure joy and fulfillment for every child by providing equal opportunities for development and learning. Our awards policy is aimed at instilling a sense of worth in children, regardless of their academic or presentation success. We avoid dividing into winners and losers, or rating them out of ten. Instead, we focus on developing children's sense of value and potential. We believe that each of them is unique and capable of great things. Our goal is to help them develop self-confidence, which is often unavailable in traditional educational settings. Moreover, the most talented children receive additional rewards for their achievements, which creates an incentive for further growth and development.
If a project is truly worthy of attention, and I'm confident its creator would benefit from internships, we can organize a visit to a chocolate factory or send them to L'Etoile's marketing department to create content for TikTok. There are responsible and hardworking individuals who work on projects not just for show, but because they have a unique idea they want to bring to fruition. Such talented individuals are of interest to businesses and can make a significant contribution to their development.
We periodically receive requests from international conference organizers asking us to recommend young bloggers, designers, and creators of social projects. Some of these talented individuals make such a deep impression that the jury members willingly take them under their wing, offering support and advice as mentors. Over time, they may be invited to participate in companies' programs for young professionals. This creates unique opportunities for career development and the realization of their creative potential.
Our project included twin graduates who, at the age of 11 and 12, completed a two-day internship at Avito—both at the head office and in the corporate services sales office. Some may consider this too early, but the children had the opportunity to become familiar with a real business model. They learned how Avito's founders created this project and entered the Russian market. This information will undoubtedly leave a mark on them. In the future, when they decide to launch their own business, they will already have a knowledge base and experience. They also have connections, such as a friendship with Avito's commercial director, to whom they could approach with a partnership proposal. Such contacts and memories of the internship can play a significant role in their professional path.
We teach children important skills that will help them stand out among their peers. The knowledge they gain can be used in various areas of life. Even if graduates don't plan to start their own business, they can apply these skills in other areas. Ultimately, every situation in our lives is a project of sorts, and the ability to manage it is key. The ability to implement one's own project, an understanding of business and finance fundamentals, and effective communication skills can be developed even before entering university. Basic knowledge of project management, marketing, and economics should form the foundation for everyone. It's important to be able to calculate costs and margins, as well as effectively market and position a product. Commercial literacy in various fields is essential, while understanding that this implies responsibility and ethics in business. That's why I decided to create courses that would impart this important knowledge. Business courses for children offer significant benefits, including career guidance. For example, one of our graduates dreamed of becoming a veterinarian, but after attending a business tour at MegaFon, she saw the work of sales and a call center. This inspired her, and she realized that interacting with people is something she truly enjoys. Now her goal is to become an advertiser. We also organize tours at Mail.ru, where children can learn about the work of SMM managers. Many of them are thrilled to know that there's a profession that involves actively using social media. However, not all children find their dream on such tours. For example, someone who dreamed of a career as a programmer might visit Mail.ru and see IT specialists working in silence, focused on their computers. This can help them realize that such work doesn't quite meet their expectations. Thus, business courses and tours help children better understand their preferences and choose the right path for their future career. Children are often interested in the average salary, while demonstrating a complete lack of inhibitions. They actively observe the world around them and the events unfolding around them. After the excursion, their perceptions broaden significantly, and, remarkably, this also influences my own horizons.
Previously, I thought that making desserts and cakes was a true dream, not a job. However, one day, visiting a pastry shop with my children, I saw how difficult and difficult the working conditions can be. This experience became an important lesson for the children, showing how widely expectations can differ from reality. Understanding this contrast helps them realize that beautiful sweets are based on hard work and dedication, and that working in the pastry business requires not only talent but also perseverance.
In most cases, parents, not the children themselves, initiate business training, which is observed in approximately 70 percent of cases. However, in our project, we stipulate that each child must demonstrate interest and independently agree to the training. We do not force; we provide the opportunity for choice. Parents introduce their children to the program in advance, and we also send videos about the school life so that the child can independently understand what our project is, what opportunities await them, and how the training proceeds.
Most often, we are approached by parents who are actively concerned about their children's future and have an above-average income. These parents are not limited to English lessons and dance classes. They are committed to development and are not afraid to explore new opportunities for their children. Despite not fully understanding the market and the products offered, they are interested and ready to acquire new knowledge and skills for their children.
Parents strive to develop responsibility in their children, which is the foundation for developing self-confidence, self-presentation, and communication skills. If a child has talents but is studying in a class with a lower level of classmates, our courses will help create the right environment for their development. We offer programs that promote the growth of personal and social competencies, allowing children to find like-minded people and develop their abilities in a comfortable environment.
Sometimes children find their way to us on their own. For example, one time a mother came with her son and admitted she didn't know who we were. "The child himself asked to enroll and pay. Here's my son, he plays for Juventus. He wants to study with you, and I don't mind—let him do it." There are also cases where children come alone, and some even save their pocket money for tuition. The new generation is truly impressive: they have no barriers, they boldly pursue their goals, and they actively try new things. This confirms that children's interest in learning and development is growing, and they are ready to invest in their future.
Growth, expansion into the regions, and future plans: a business school as
From September to March, we offer courses every month, accepting 100 to 150 children per group. The training is organized into several stages, and after four months in one stage, many students return for further training. We actively utilize various traffic sources, such as social media and targeted advertising. However, 30-40% of our students come through personal recommendations, which confirms the high quality of our education.
Our project extends beyond courses and camps. In 2019, we entered into a partnership with the Prosveshcheniye Group of Companies in the field of business education for children. That same year, we collaborated with the Moscow government to organize the "Successful Schoolchildren Marathon" for City Day—an event that included a series of master classes attended by two thousand children. We strive to develop the skills and competencies of the younger generation by providing them with access to high-quality education and practical experience.
We have established numerous partnerships with various businesses, including the Igor Krutoy Academy and Zaryadye Park. We are especially pleased that our achievements are being recognized in the business community: our project was recently included in the top 20 best projects of the Forbes Woman Mercury Awards 2021.
Our current strategy is focused on developing a franchise network both in Moscow and in major Russian cities. While opportunities for partnership with business leaders in these regions may differ from those in Moscow, each city offers its own unique opportunities. For example, you can find banks, hotels, restaurants, government agencies and city halls, as well as innovative projects such as technology parks with robotic drones. Large international companies such as Coca-Cola are already present in ten cities across the country, and Mars, Mondelez, Danone, and Procter & Gamble factories are located in the city. Gamble is actively operating in various regions. We are also considering collaborations with local businesses, such as pizzerias and small hotels, who can share their experience and knowledge of the restaurant business. Our goal is to create a successful and diverse franchise network that will help develop local businesses and meet the needs of local residents.
My business project paid for itself in the first year without significant investment, as we did not create a complex platform, but simply integrated existing solutions. This provides franchisees with a low barrier to entry for investment. We receive a large influx of inquiries—we need to process 43 in just one week. I take this calmly, not rushing to sell the project. It is more important now to stabilize new areas and financial indicators. Our company is still in the early stages of development, but we are focused on growth and scaling.
We have many ambitious plans. One of the main ones is the creation of a tracker academy, which will train mid-level specialists from corporations and large companies. There are certain limitations in the networking space, and the number of professional trackers we partner with is insufficient to meet all needs. Adult training will allow us to develop our own specialists for both our network and our franchisee network. This, in turn, will create opportunities for scaling and development. We are confident that this initiative will contribute to the growth of the youth entrepreneurship market across the country, opening new horizons and opportunities for young talent.
I strive to create serious and large-scale projects, so I am constantly looking for reliable partners. The private school market offers numerous opportunities for collaboration. We have already established relationships with several schools and are currently collaborating with three or four of them. I expect this number to grow to eight or nine by September.
We are still in the early stages of development, but the opportunities for growth are limitless.
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