Yuri Borisovich (Benitsionovich) Milner is a Russian entrepreneur and venture capitalist. He founded investment firms Digital Sky Technologies (DST), now called Mail.ru Group and DST Global. Through Mail.ru Group and DST Global, Milner is an investor in Facebook, Zynga, Twitter, Spotify, ZocDoc, 360Buy.com and Groupon. Mail.Ru Group is the largest Internet company in the Russian-speaking world and one of the leading Internet companies in Russia. Mail.Ru Group comprises the most popular Russian free-mail service and two major RuNet instant messengers, Mail.Ru Agent and ICQ.
Commenting on his decision, Yuri said,
“It has been a great pleasure and privilege to be involved with Mail.ru Group and to take the business from its foundation to its successful IPO in November 2010. Serving as non-executive Chairman since the IPO has allowed me to watch the management team, led by Dmitry Grishin, whom I brought in as a co-founder and worked with for more than 10 years, deliver consistently strong results. I believe that Mail.ru is well placed for taking advantage of its leadership position. I look forward to watching its continued success as Dmitry, and the team, continue to drive the business and execute on the strategy”.
In his response, Dmitry said,
“On behalf of the Board, management and employees of the Company we would like to thank Yuri for all that he has done for Mail.ru Group. His contribution and his guidance have been much appreciated and valued. We wish Yuri continued success in his role at DST Global.”
Naspers, the South African media giant, owns about 30% of Mail.Ru.
