Ivan Vladimirovich Tavrin is a Russian businessman, the self-made billionaire Founder and CEO of Kismet Capital Group and former CEO of MegaFon, one of Russia's largest mobile companies. Born in Moscow, in 1976, his career is rooted in the high-growth Technology, Media, and Telecom (TMT) sector.

Tavrin graduated from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) in 1998. His entrepreneurial journey began early: in 1997, he founded the advertising firm Construct-Region, which grew into the largest agency in the Russian regional advertising market. This success provided the foundation for his massive consolidation and investment strategy in the TMT sector.

• Kismet Capital Group (Founder & CEO): The core private asset, an investment firm specializing in TMT (Technology, Media, and Telecom) and SPAC (Special Purpose Acquisition Company) deals.
• MegaFon (Former CEO): He led one of Russia's largest mobile companies (2012–2016).
• Media Consolidation: He founded the Media-1 holding (including Muz-TV).
• Controversy: He was sanctioned by the U.K. and U.S. in 2022 for benefiting from sectors key to the Russian state.

Ivan Tavrin's strategic genius was his commitment to media and telecom consolidation. He founded the Media-1 holding in 2007, which became one of Russia's largest independent media holdings (Muz-TV). In 2012, he became CEO of MegaFon, guiding the mobile giant (which controlled over a quarter of the Russian cell phone market) until 2016.

Following his telecom career, he founded Kismet Capital Group in 2016, focusing on SPAC transactions. He led the IPO of Kismet Acquisitions (raising over $400 million) and the merger with the major game development company Nexters Global Ltd. (approved in 2021). His career is defined by his close links to Alisher Usmanov (who controlled MegaFon). Consequently, he was sanctioned by the U.K. and U.S. in 2022, and his Kismet Capital Group was also included on the sanctions list. His wealth is tied to the successful monetization of Russian telecom and media assets.

Ivan Tavrin's social impact is structural, stemming from MegaFon's role in providing essential mobile communication services to millions of Russian consumers and Media-1's role in shaping Russian media content. His ventures contributed significantly to the modernization of the Russian TMT sector.

His personal philanthropy supports various community and educational initiatives. His career is often cited for illustrating the immense profitability and geopolitical risks associated with strategic consolidation of media and telecom assets in Russia.

Ivan Tavrin maintains the professional, composed style of a financial executive. His attire is consistently formal and high-quality, favoring tailored suits. His aesthetic reflects stability and immense financial authority, despite his sanctioned status.

Residing in Russia, his luxury is the immense security and financial reward derived from his multi-billion dollar fortune. His life is dedicated to TMT investment, financial structuring, and navigating the complex geopolitical challenges of international sanctions.