Russia may be the last untapped source of potentially disruptive technologies. Its history as a closed, alternate society, in the days of the Cold War, fed an insular culture. Soviet science proved its capabilities, dramatically, with the launch of sputnik. Sakharov developed an original design for his Hydrogen bomb. That alternate universe no longer exists. The world is, instead, connecting, thanks to a web whose origins can be traced to Silicon Valley. When Russia opened in 1991 the only alternative available to Russians interested in launching their ideas into the global village was to immigrate. Many did. Transformational technologies often emerge from fresh perspectives. There are probably more untapped "fresh perspectives" hidden in Russia then anywhere else. Why? Russians have access to the world's technologies, thanks to the West's openness. They are up to date, yet many do not trust their own government to protect their interests, and thus keep brilliant ideas to themselves. Soviet society did not recognize private property. Intellectual property protection is fundamental to value creation and innovation. I first visited Russia in 1991, just as she was opening, and was struck by the unharnessed energy of her people. My background, born in Prague, son of a Finnish diplomat (who participated in post-war reparation negotiations between Finland and Russia) gave me a perspective on what was possible. The book tells of how this optimist was educated in the world of "hard knocks". When I left IBM on my "leap of faith" into Russia I followed what I believed to be a calling. Experiences described in the book forged a business model that I believe addresses the unique challenges and opportunities of the moment. The book tells how I founded companies based on potentially transformational technologies. One offers a treatment and possible prevention of Alzheimer's (Buddha Biopharma OY), another promises an extension of Moore's Law on silicon (Fuzzy Chip). These are not small ideas. My original idea about Finland as a gateway out for Russian ideas was discouraged. Singapore emerged as an alternate location, one respecting IP protection and the "rule of law", while not having any Russia "complex". I take the reader to the far corners of the largest country on earth, during a period in which it experienced great change. Chapters describe numerous locations and technologies discovered there. I have made nothing up. It is my hope the story will develop an image of Russia as a possible source of ""big things" that can be commercialized when combined with the resources of trusted Western partners. I takes the reader through steps needed to build a business, specifying relevant "business lessons" at the conclusion of every chapter. The book may be seen as a teaching tool, a provider of case studies, presented with humor.
About the Author: Martti Vallila was born in Prague, son of a Finnish diplomat and Czech mother. He emigrated to the US at age 7, learned English as his fifth language. This is his first book. Education: DC public schools, Stanford undergraduate degree in Anthropology, MBA from the University of Chicago. Father of two daughters, two grandchildren, residing in Boston Massachusetts.