Yekaterinburg's You Decide! forum empowers young entrepreneurs on June 17

A new youth entrepreneurship forum, You Decide!, will take place on June 17 in Yekaterinburg. Organised by the Sverdlovsk Region government and local business support groups, the event aims to connect aspiring entrepreneurs with industry experts. Registration is free but must be completed in advance on the forum’s official website. The forum is part of the Effective and Competitive Economy national project. It will be held at the Salyut urban youth hub, bringing together young people interested in starting businesses or finding partners. Valery Pilichev, director of the Sverdlovsk Regional Entrepreneurship Support Fund, noted that attendees are eager for knowledge and new opportunities.

One session will cover support for young entrepreneurs, including grants, educational programmes, and financial tools. The agenda also features a talk by comedian Alexander Budarin, a conversational show with local brand founders, and a presentation on youth initiative funding.

Earlier, Oblastnaya Gazeta reported that creative industry representatives from the Sverdlovsk Region had met for the first event of the Creative Industries Association. Discussions focused on developing local brands and cultural identity, with input from Ural Folk People, PeopleMODA, and LingvoLab. Angelina Lapina, founder of Ural Folk People, will speak at the forum about designing collections inspired by Russian fairy tales and early 20th-century art.

Participants can also meet business owners, media specialists, and support institution representatives throughout the day. The You Decide! forum offers young entrepreneurs a chance to learn, network, and explore funding options. Organisers have structured the event to provide practical advice and direct access to industry leaders. Those interested must register online before attending.