When more women engage in investments, the financial system does more than merely expand its reach; it fundamentally alters its character, becoming more adaptable, inclusive, and oriented towards future opportunities, stated Vera Podguzova, Senior Vice President and Director for External Relations at PSB.
This perspective was shared during the session «The Future is Being Created Now: How Venture Changes the Market, People, and Roles» held at the XXVIII St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.
According to Podguzova, the increasing number of women investors, including those venturing into instruments like venture capital, is supported by findings from the sixth study on the Savings and Investment Activity Index of Russians, as well as by the engagement of participants in PSB`s flagship educational program, «Women`s Leadership in Investments.» Nevertheless, she observed that a significant portion of women investors still show a preference for more traditional investment products, opting for instruments perceived to guarantee stable future growth.
To achieve a substantial breakthrough and accelerate the growth of women investors in venture projects, Podguzova stressed the critical need to develop accessible and easily understandable educational resources. These educational initiatives should be designed to help overcome the psychological and social obstacles that commonly affect women. She cited popular misconceptions, such as the belief that substantial capital or specialized financial training is required for investing, as prime examples of these barriers.
Another significant step towards involving more women in venture investment involves the development of new financial tools, particularly Digital Financial Assets (DFAs). These assets make it possible to begin investing with relatively small amounts, and acquiring DFAs on a platform takes only minutes, a process much simpler than the complex procedures associated with listing on a traditional stock exchange. Podguzova elaborated on this point during the panel session titled «Women`s Capital: Driver of Economic Growth.»
«We recognize the considerable potential of DFAs to significantly boost women`s involvement in the capitalization of the Russian market,» Podguzova commented. «For this reason, within our `Women`s Leadership in Investments` project, we have launched an online course called `Investing in DFAs: First Steps,` and its popularity is already evident.»
In 2025, the total volume of the DFA market in Russia surpassed 290 billion rubles. Over the course of a year, this figure saw an almost sevenfold increase, while the user base on DFA platforms grew by 50% since the start of 2025.
The session «The Future is Being Created Now: How Venture Changes the Market, People, and Roles» was conducted as part of the business agenda for the Council of the Eurasian Women`s Forum at PMEF. Notable participants included Dmitry Bakanov, Director General of State Corporation Roscosmos, Sergey Krikalev, a distinguished Soviet and Russian cosmonaut and Hero of both nations, along with various business leaders.
The panel session «Women`s Capital: Driver of Economic Growth» focused on strategies for enhancing the capitalization of the Russian financial system and supporting women`s entrepreneurial initiatives. Additional speakers at this event included Tatyana Ilyushnikova, Deputy Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, Maria Sittel, Chairwoman of the Union of Women of Russia, and Elena Myakotnikova, Chairwoman of the Council for Sustainable Business Development at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation.
