A few months ago Pavel Durov said that he would go against the trend and published 7 reasons to stay in Russia (rather than emigrate):
Today, he publicly announced that he had left Russia for good. According to TechCrunch:
As I wrote earlier, after the annexation of Crimea, the exit strategy (Hirschman, 1970) has become the rational choice for Russian innovators. The territorial acquisition will have a long-lasting negative effect on the country's economic and political developments.
1. Low taxes
2. Lots of talented people
3. Abundant natural resources
4. Beautiful people (especially, women)
5. Freedom of expression
6. Potential for growth
7. Rich culture
Today, he publicly announced that he had left Russia for good. According to TechCrunch:
“I’m out of Russia and have no plans to go back,” he wrote in the exchange. “Unfortunately, the country is incompatible with Internet business at the moment.”
“I’m afraid there is no going back,” he said of VK.com, “not after I publicly refused to cooperate with the authorities. They can’t stand me.”
As I wrote earlier, after the annexation of Crimea, the exit strategy (Hirschman, 1970) has become the rational choice for Russian innovators. The territorial acquisition will have a long-lasting negative effect on the country's economic and political developments.