Ever wondered how the Russian oligarchs were made? This episode gives you a glimpse into that world… through someone who lived it, built through it, and survived it.

In this episode of The Profit or Pivot Podcast, Matan speaks with Marat Ressin, an entrepreneur who built and bought over 30 businesses after the fall of the Soviet Union, escaped the rising control of the KGB to Canada, and went on to build the #1 ranked university-linked business accelerator in the world.

Marat shares his unbelievable journey:

• Becoming the 22-year-old director of a government venture before the USSR collapse
• Buying Soviet factories about to go bankrupt and turning them into profitable businesses
• Facing pressure from the KGB to sell his companies and become one of their men
• Building major real estate and business turnaround projects in Canada
• Creating the York Entrepreneurship Development Institute (YEDI) and training 2,000+ entrepreneurs
• His core lessons on communication, raising money, problem-driven business creation, and AI

This is one of the most insightful, candid, and inspiring founder stories you’ll hear.

About Marat Ressin

Marat is the founder of the York Entrepreneurship Development Institute (YEDI), a globally top-ranked university-linked accelerator, professor, turnaround specialist, real estate developer, and serial entrepreneur with 30+ business acquisitions across multiple industries.

Learn more about YEDI

Connect with Marat