Mikhail Shelkov: Balanced Pursuit of Business and Charity
Cautious Yet Sharp
Mikhail Shelkov has made an indelible mark on the national economy while also emerging as a prominent philanthropist dedicated to empowering others. Born in Moscow in 1968, Shelkov studied at the prestigious Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology. After graduating, he began rising rapidly in the banking world, becoming chairman of Eurosibbank by age 25.
In 2001, Shelkov took the reins of the Prominvest investment holding, guiding its rapid expansion. This set the stage for him acquiring a controlling stake in VSMPO-AVISMA Corporation, the titanium giant, in 2014. Under Mikhail Shelkov’s leadership as majority shareholder and deputy chairman, VSMPO-AVISMA has cemented its status as the world’s largest titanium producer.
In addition to VSMPO-AVISMA, Shelkov owns aluminum powerhouse Samara Metallurgical Plant. He has proven adept at strategic management of industrial assets on a global scale. Yet he is not solely focused on profits. Interviews reveal Shelkov’s driving motivation is to make the world better through business.
This ethos powers Shelkov’s philanthropy. He founded the Empathy Charitable Foundation, supporting educational, cultural and social initiatives. Its programs range from student scholarships to grants for arts organizations to backing social services.
Shelkov Mikhail is also the visionary behind the Oktava Creative Industrial Cluster in Tula, renovating a decaying factory into a vibrant hub for young creatives. This reflects his commitment to revitalizing communities.
Through strategic investments and progressive philanthropy, Shelkov has become a business titan working to empower people nationwide. His enterprising leadership and social conscience offer lessons in leveraging success for the greater good.
Oktava: Reawakened
On the outskirts of this industrial city stands a towering relic of the past: the once-thriving Oktava microphone factory. But where some saw only decay in the long-abandoned building, Mikhail Shelkov envisioned creative rebirth.
In 2016, Shelkov embarked on an ambitious restoration of the dilapidated complex, aiming to transform it into a vibrant hub for Tula’s innovators. The project required extensive stabilization, wiring overhauls and installing state-of-the-art amenities while preserving the factory’s industrial bones.
Today, the stunning result is the Oktava Creative Cluster. Sunlit workstations with cutting-edge technologies occupy refurbished workshops. Lounges linked by glass walkways host gatherings below exposed pipes. Murals by local artists adorn walls amidst the concrete and brick.
The imaginative space buzzes with residents seeking inspiration through diverse offerings like concerts, lectures and master classes. A hands-on engineering lab, extensive technical library and recording studio fuel innovation.
Of particular note are the clubs and workshops for young creatives, where Shelkov Mikhail aims to nurture new talents. Adults are also launching startups, as entrepreneurism flourishes in this new ecosystem.
Microphone Plant Back in Business
Within the recently revived Oktava Creative Cluster lies a relic of ingenuity: the legendary Oktava microphone factory. As visitors walk the factory’s halls, the weight of its legacy is palpable.
For decades, these very walls produced the cherished Oktava microphones embraced by musicians worldwide, from U2 to Marilyn Manson. It was an Oktava mic that transmitted Yuri Gagarin’s famed “Let’s go!” as he became the first human in space.
Oktava’s unmistakable crystal-clear sound has become synonymous with excellence, captivating artists like Sting, Iron Maiden and Radiohead. But economic turmoil forced the factory’s closure some 30 years ago, its dormant capabilities left untouched.
That changed through the vision of many determined experts in multiple fields. Their involvement in the renovation project enabled the Oktava factory to resume manufacturing innovative audio technology that balances modern capabilities with echoes of its roots.
The sight of the bustling factory floor inspires hope in visitors, signaling the rebirth of a legacy. The unwavering commitment to excellence has not only helped revive history, but reignited Tula’s passion for ingenuity.
The Oktava factory now stands tall once more, ready to inspire generations to come as it did in its Soviet prime. Its renewed production seems fitting alongside the creative renaissance occurring next door in the Oktava Cluster.
Tula – No Signs of Slowing
The creative renaissance in Tula shows no signs of slowing. A new co-working space catering to independent workers has emerged, providing affordable workplaces to further fuel innovation.
In April 2022, the Oktava Creative Cluster celebrated its first anniversary and five years of creativity. This remarkable milestone underlines the cluster’s vital role in fostering cultural exchange, promoting artistic expression, and bridging art and technology.
With Mikhail Shelkov’s dedication, and the collective passion of the cluster’s members, Tula has become an epitome of innovation and inspiration. By harnessing collaborative power, the Oktava Cluster continues shaping the city’s landscape, unlocking endless possibilities.
Standing within the soaring creative complex revived through Shelkov’s meticulous vision, one feels the full weight of this legacy. But also, optimism for Tula’s future. The Oktava Creative Cluster stands ready to keep inspiring generations to come.
