How to Build a Business in Chemistry? «Roshimreactiv» Members Share Experience
On November 12, as part of the 28th International Exhibition of the Chemical Industry and Science «Khimiya-2025,» the «Roshimreactiv» Association held a panel discussion «How to Build Your Business in Chemistry?».
The speakers were:
- Irina Vendilo, General Director of the «Roshimreactiv» Association;
- Vladimir Ponomarev, founder of LLC «Promkhimperm» (member of the «Roshimreactiv» Association);
- Evgeny Churanov, Commercial Director of WebCanape company;
- Denis Eganov, Director of AO «Khimtrast»;
- Aleksandr Prokopenko, Deputy Chief Technologist for Polyacrylates at LLC «Poliplast Severo-zapad»;
- Viktoria Sharapova, partner at Scanderm;
- Elisei Alekseev, General Director of LLC «Grinven SPb»;
- Vitaliia Iashin, Development Director of LLC «MT Sintez».
The moderator was Aleksandr Semashko, founder of the ChemGeeks chemical community.
The discussion focused on business development, cooperation, and interaction between science, the state, and SMTC (small and medium-tonnage chemistry) companies. Participants discussed current challenges and opportunities facing entrepreneurs and shared experiences and ideas for successful development in the modern economy.
Vladimir Ponomarev was the first to share his personal story, telling how his entrepreneurial journey began:
«About 35 years ago, I met an old acquaintance at a bus stop. He complained that their aluminum sulfate production line had stopped. I asked why? He said there was no raw material. I checked, yes, indeed, there was no raw material. I inquired about its price and the price of the finished product. It turned out the profitability was quite good. But since I was working in applied science at the time and knew quite a lot about industry, where various production capacities still remained, all that was left was to find a suitable workshop with the right equipment, purchase raw materials, and set up production. And technology was simple enough because I come from applied science myself, so many things were clear.»
Irina Vendilo said that the Association’s role is to accelerate communication and mutual understanding between different sectors. She emphasized the importance of translating between the language of business and the language of the state and science for effective interaction.
Viktoria Sharapova shared her personal story:
«Back in university, I first wondered what happens to scientific discoveries after theses, candidate, and doctoral dissertations are defended. There was no culture of student startups and accelerators then, but there was a strong desire to understand. This internal question led me to cosmetic chemistry, FMCG, technology, and venture capital.»
Aleksandr Prokopenko presented the process of transforming a scientific idea into an industrial product: from laboratory testing to serial production launch. Successful completion of each stage depends on the coordinated joint work of scientific and production teams.
At the end of the event, each speaker expressed wishes for young entrepreneurs. Combining them results in a series of recommendations:
- Analyze experience. Study not only successful cases but also the mistakes of companies to avoid them in the future.
- Find sales channels. Secure guaranteed sales at early stages of project development.
- Communication and feedback. Don’t be afraid to share your ideas and get feedback, even if it’s critical.
- Financial model. Carefully calculate the financial model of your project to avoid mistakes at the start.
The discussion participants aimed to inspire entrepreneurs, researchers, and young scientists. To show that there is always a person behind every project. And that it is personal stories that create an industry where people want to work, create, and grow.