S ergei Kolesnikov is a self-made Russian billionaire who co-founded TechnoNICOL, a leading international manufacturer of roofing, waterproofing, and thermal insulation materials. His entrepreneurial journey began while he was a student at the prestigious Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology. In 1992, amid the economic liberalization of post-Soviet Russia, he and his fellow student, Igor Rybakov, decided to forego careers in science to start their own business, initially as roofing contractors.

Identifying a severe lack of high-quality materials in the market, the duo quickly pivoted from services to manufacturing. They established TechnoNICOL, leveraging their technical backgrounds to produce innovative and reliable building materials. Their strategy of acquiring and modernizing old factories, combined with a focus on product quality and efficient distribution, fueled the company's rapid expansion. Today, TechnoNICOL is a manufacturing powerhouse with dozens of plants across Russia and Europe. Beyond business, Kolesnikov is known for his passion for endurance sports, regularly competing in Ironman triathlons and other demanding athletic events around the world.