History of Yandex
Yandex, Russia’s largest technology company, was founded in 1997 by Arkady Volozh, Ilya Segalovich, and their team. Originally a search engine, Yandex quickly became Russia’s dominant player in internet search, outperforming global competitors like Google. The company expanded its services to include maps, email, cloud storage, and e-commerce. In 2011, Yandex went public on the NASDAQ, further solidifying its role as a major tech force.
Over the years, Yandex diversified into various fields, including ride-hailing (Yandex.Taxi), autonomous vehicles, AI-driven voice assistants (Alice), and fintech services. However, geopolitical tensions and regulatory challenges have impacted its operations. In 2023, Yandex restructured, with its Russian assets separating from its international ventures. Despite these challenges, Yandex remains a key player in Russia’s digital economy.