Tamara Golovina, Managing Partner of the accelerator:
"The accelerator is not the "packaging" of a project, but its elaboration and increase in investment attractiveness. We are creating a platform where a geological idea turns into an investment proposal. For investors, it is a quality filter, for juniors, it is an opportunity to raise capital, and for the industry, it is a mechanism for replenishing the country's mineral resource base."
Out of 69 submitted applications, the experts selected five of the most promising. A three—month program is ahead: expert sessions on geology, economics, legal aspects and management, individual tracking and networking with investors. The program will end with a Demo Day in January 2026, where companies will be able to attract investments.
Oleg Kazanov (Rosnedra):
"We have been talking about the prospects of junior business in Russia for 10-15 years. The regulatory framework has been created, money has appeared in the economy, but there was a gap between geologists and investors. The accelerator's activities should be devoted to the formation of this bridge between the two professional communities. You are doing a great and necessary thing for the country."
Roman Shchetinsky (GV Gold):
"The very fact of creating such an accelerator is already an important event for the industry. This is a long-term story that will give the market new projects and increase the efficiency of interaction between all players."
Alexander Shpektorov (Nordgold):
"Large mining companies are focused on exploitation, not on search. Juniors close this gap. The accelerator will improve the average quality of projects in the country. I believe that the movement will gain momentum — the potential is huge."
Karina Andreeva (Polymetal):
"We see junior not only as a source of new ideas, but also as our future, the key to developing the mineral resource base. Since 2018, we have been supporting the junior movement and we are confident that completing the program will help teams receive professional support and find their investors."
Alexander Rudik (Heartland Management Group):
"A financial investor does not buy metal or a deposit, but an investment product based on the ideas/actions of junior teams – this is something that is currently in short supply on the market. Therefore, we have to create this market segment anew — to give juniors access to capital, and investors — a new tool for placing funds. And we believe that the projects that have passed the accelerator will have the opportunity to attract financing from both funds under our management and from other market investors.
