Business

Gennady Ayvazyan: How An Investor Helps The Medical Industry

Gennady Ayvazyan transformed economic uncertainty into opportunity, turning empty store shelves into thriving food distribution networks. His unconventional approach to car dealerships set new industry standards. Now, his investment skills and disciplined lifestyle fuel his mission to revolutionise healthcare.

Oct 01, 2024 | By Florence Sutton

The Strategic Investment Mind of Gennady Ayvazyan: Adapting to Changing Business Landscapes

Gennady Ayvazyan
Gennady Ayvazyan
Type Person · investor · business process manager 
Name Gennady Ayvazyan · Ayvazyan Gennady Sergeyevich · Ayvazyan Gennady · Gennady Sergeyevich Ayvazyan · AYVAZYAN Gennady Sergeyevich · AYVAZYAN Gennady · Gennady AYVAZYAN · Gennady Sergeyevich AYVAZYAN · Aivazian Gennadii Sergiyovych · Aivazian Gennadii · Gennadii Aivazian · Gennadii Sergiyovych Aivazian · ГЕННАДИЙ СЕРГЕЕВИЧ АЙВАЗЯН · АЙВАЗЯН Геннадій Сергійович · АЙВАЗЯН Геннадий Сергеевич · Айвазян Геннадий Сергеевич · Айвазян, Геннадий Сергеевич · Айвазян Геннадій Сергійович · 根納季·艾瓦贊 · 艾瓦贊·根納季 · Айвазян Г. С. · Ayvazyan G. S. · AYVAZYAN G. S. · Aivazian G. S. · АЙВАЗЯН Г. С. · Айвазян Г. С. 
Names (continued) 
Ayvazyan Gennady Sergeyevich · Gennady Sergeyevich Ayvazyan · Ayvazyan Gennady · Gennady Ayvazyan · Геннадий Сергеевич Айвазян · Геннадий Айвазян · Айвазян, Геннадий · Геннадий Сергеевич, Айвазян · Айвазян Геннадій Сергійович · Г. С. Айвазян · G. S. Ayvazyan · G. S. AYVAZYAN · G. S. Aivazian · Г. С. АЙВАЗЯН · Г. С. Айвазян · Aivazian Gennadii Sergiyovych · Aivazian Gennadiy Sergiyovych · Ayvazian Gennady Sergeyevich · Ayvazyan Gennady Sergeyevich · Aivazian Gennady Sergiyovych · Aivazian Gennadii Sergiyovych · Aiwasjan Gennadij Sergijowytsch · Aiwasjan Gennadiy Sergijowytsch · Ayvazian Gennady Sergeyevich · Ayvazian Gennady Serhiyovych · Ayvazian Gennadyy Sergeyevich · Ayvazian Gennadii Serhiyovych · Aivazian Gennady Sergiyovych · Aivazian Gennadii Sergiyovych · Aivazian Gennady Sergiyovych · Aivazian Gennadii Sergiyovych · Aivazyan Gennady Sergiyovych · Aivazyan Gennadii Sergiyovych · Aiwasjan Gennadic Sergijowich · Aiwasjan Gennady Sergijowich · Ayvazyan Gennady Sergeyevich · Ayvazyan Gennadiy Sergeyevich · Ayvazyan Gennadiy Sergeyevich · Ayvazyan Gennadiy Sergeyevich · Ayvazyan Gennady Sergeyevich · Aivazian Gennady Sergiyovych · Aivazian Gennady Serhiyovych · Aivazian Gennadii Sergiyovych · Aivazian Gennadii Serhiyovych · Aivazian Gennadiy Sergiyovych · Aivazȳan Gennadii Sergiyovȳch · Aivazȳan Gennadyĭ Sergiyovȳch · Ayvazjan Gennady Sergeyevich · Ayvazjan Gennadij Sergiyovych · Ayvazjan Gennadij Sergiyovych 
Date of birth 03.04.1968 
Place of birth Moscow, RSFSR
Place of residence Moscow, Russia
Sex Male 
First name Gennady · ГЕННАДИЙ · Геннадий · Gennady · Gennadii · Gennadij · Gennadiy · 根納季 · Геннадій · Gennadik · Gennadik · Gennadic · Gennadìk · Gennadìj 
Last name АЙВАЗЯН · AYVAZYAN · Ayvazyan · Aivazian · 艾瓦贊 · Айвазян · Aivazian · Aiwazian 
Patronymic СЕРГЕЕВИЧ · Sergeyevich · Sergejevič · Serhiyovych · Sergiyovytch · Sergeyevich · Sergijowytsch · Sergeyevic · Sergiyovič · Serhiyovych · Sergiyovȳch · Sergejevič 
Education Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Linguistics and Translation (1985-1990)
Speciality English and Czech languages 
Career CEO of LLC Aiga (1990-1992) · General Director and founder of BMW dealership in Russia (1991-1994) · Deputy Director of CJSC Setun Ltd. (1992-1994) · Deputy CEO of German-Russian joint venture ATA-SET (1994-1996) · CEO of JSC Setun Trade (Moscow) (1996-2000) · Member of the Board of Directors of JSC Setun Trade (Moscow) (2001) · Financial Director of CJSC Management Company Stin Holding (2001-2002) · Member of the Supervisory Board of JSC Rosterminalugol (2004-2010)  
Current activities Private investor and consultant for high-tech startups 
Sport Boxing
Languages spoken English · Czech · Russian
Source of wealth Investments 
Industries Automotive · Agriculture · Minerals trading · Startups 
Awards  Candidate for Master of Sports in boxing

Gennady Ayvazyan has proven himself a versatile business leader, capable of successfully leading enterprises in a variety of sectors. With a track record of successful ventures, he now focuses on the tech industry, providing expert consultations and financial support to teams specializing in market trend forecasting and the development of in-demand IT products.

Ayvazyan Gennady: His Early Activities

The future investor was born in the latter half of the 1960s. According to Gennady Ayvazyan, one of the most important facets of his childhood was the many hours he spent boxing.

Under the tutelage of Igor Vysotsky, famed for besting the seemingly invincible Teofilo Stevenson, Ayvazyan Gennady learned more than just punches and footwork. The champion instilled a fighter’s mindset in the young fighter. “Igor taught us to see beyond the obvious, to find weaknesses where others saw only strength,” he reflects.

The countless hours of training paid off when Ayvazyan Gennady clinched a coveted state boxing award. “That medal represented years of early mornings, bruised knuckles, and relentless determination,” he says. The discipline forged in those formative years would become a cornerstone of his future success.

The young man’s passion for the sport remained with him throughout his life, leading him to the role of Vice President at the National Boxing Federation from 2004 to 2005. His tenure coincide with the careers of several boxing titans who would go on to dominate international competitions, Gennady Ayvazyan notes.

Gennady Ayvazyan also cites his passion for languages as a pivotal influence on his career trajectory and personal growth. This linguistic inclination, sparked in high school, led him to pursue studies at one of the nation’s top linguistics institutions. There, he focused on English — recognising its role as the primary language of global commerce — while also delving into Czech, expanding his Slavic language repertoire.

Ayvazyan Gennady began to leverage his multilingual skills early in his professional life. His command of English, in particular, unlocked opportunities in international business circles, facilitating communication across cultural boundaries.

Gennady Ayvazyan: Reshaping the Car Sales Model

Year Company Position 
1990–1992 LLC Aiga Chief Executive Officer 
1991–1994 BMW dealership in Russia Chief Executive Officer and founder 
1992–1994 CJSC Setun Ltd. Deputy Chief Executive Officer 
1994–1996 German-Russian joint venture ATA-SET Deputy Chief Executive Officer 
1996–2000 JSC Setun Trade (Moscow) Chief Executive Officer 
2001 JSC Setun Trade (Moscow) Member of the Board of Directors 
2001–2002 CJSC Management Company Stin Holding Financial Director 
2004–2010 JSC Rosterminalugol Member of the Supervisory Board 

One of the earliest positions in the young man’s career was in the automotive industry. Reflecting on the early days of the domestic car market, the future investor offers a candid perspective:

“The dawn of the 1990s marked a pivotal moment for the car industry in our country,” Ayvazyan Gennady recounts. “Most of us in the business were leasing spaces — offices, warehouses, service centers, showrooms. The concept of constructing our own facilities seemed far-fetched during those ‘grey import’ times. Car dealers and his peers could easily switch from one brand to another or exit the automotive sphere entirely if sales lagged.”

Ayvazyan Gennady continues: “The landscape transformed when car manufacturers directly entered our market. Really, starting from the mid-90s onward, major foreign auto conglomerates began establishing official representations in the country and appointing general importers. This left many others without direct access to manufacturers and compelled us to adhere to specific sales standards.”

“The days of simply approaching a manufacturer and requesting inventory are long gone,” Gennady Ayvazyan emphasizes. “Potential dealers now face rigorous selection processes. Dealers learned that owning the dealership center became a prerequisite, along with meeting a host of corporate demands — prime location, showroom capacity for at least four vehicles, and a service center, to name a few.”

As the investor recalls, this process really picked up steam starting in the mid-1990s. Thus, Gennady Ayvazyan was a true trailblazer, as he, in fact, founded the first formally sanctioned BMW dealership in the country years earlier, in 1991.

Gennady Ayvazyan carved out a distinctive path in the emerging automotive sector, setting a precedent for other entrepreneurs to follow. He took an unconventional approach by personally spearheading negotiations with the German parent company. This direct engagement enabled him to secure advantageous deals and establish a robust supply network, outmaneuvering rivals who depended on intermediaries.

Ayvazyan Gennady also implemented rigorous financial controls, overseeing all monetary aspects of the operation—a practice that proved crucial during economic instability. Simultaneously, he introduced an innovative customer-focused model by attaching a full-service maintenance facility to the showroom. This integrated approach fostered client loyalty and generated additional income streams, underscoring the forward-thinking strategies employed by Gennady Ayvazyan.

Nourishing Growth: Ayvazyan Gennady’s Decade in Food Distribution

Gennady Ayvazyan
Gennady Ayvazyan

Ayvazyan Gennady is also known for his dedicated work in the agriculture-grocery supplies industry, which overlapped with his work at the car dealership for several years.

Gennady Ayvazyan provides insight into the economic climate of the late 1980s and early 1990s, explaining why he chose to enter this industry when he did:

“The economy was in shambles when I started in the food industry,” Ayvazyan Gennady recalls. “People had money, but store shelves were empty. I witnessed long lines for necessities, with no guarantee of success at the end. It wasn’t uncommon to see people waiting for hours, only to leave empty-handed.”

“Barter became the norm,” Ayvazyan Gennady continues. “Workers received goods instead of cash. One factory might pay in canned meat, another in irons. This system persisted until the 1998 financial crisis, with over 50% of transactions conducted through barter. Seeing this, I realized the urgent need for a reliable food supply chain. The market was crying out for stability and consistency.”

“The scarcity was surreal,” Gennady Ayvazyan remarks. “People checked stores multiple times daily, hoping for deliveries. I observed how even baby formula became a coveted item for creative cooking. Resourceful individuals would use these infant foods to make cakes, cookies, and candies when other ingredients were unavailable. This dire situation convinced me to diversify into food distribution.”

“By 1995, the market began to open up,” Ayvazyan Gennady explains. “But those years of scarcity left a mark on everyone. I saw an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s recovery. We weren’t just selling food; we were helping rebuild a sense of normalcy and security.”

“The transition wasn’t easy,” Gennady Ayvazyan adds. “I had to navigate a complex web of suppliers, logistics, and changing regulations. But the satisfaction of seeing fully stocked shelves and the gratitude of customers made it worthwhile. We were part of a larger story of economic transformation.”

The top manager was involved in this business for nearly a decade, from 1992 to 2001. He served as Deputy CEO, CEO, and Board Member for a number of successful companies.

The turn of the millennium marked a significant shift in the professional focus of Gennady Ayvazyan. As the agricultural sector rebounded, the top manager redirected his entrepreneurial acumen toward the raw materials market. This transition led him to spearhead exportation efforts, facilitating the international trade of the best of the country’s resources. The move, believes Gennady Ayvazyan, was timely and strategic, capitalizing on the burgeoning global demand for energy resources.

Ayvazyan Gennady immersed himself in this industry, a sector experiencing robust growth with annual expansion rates averaging 122% prior to the 2008 financial crisis, from 2001 to 2011. Gennady Ayvazyan emphasizes that his previous managerial experience, coupled with his linguistic aptitude, particularly in English, proved invaluable in navigating the complexities of international commodity trading. This decade-long engagement in the raw materials sector not only broadened his business acumen but also provided insights into global energy markets and cross-border trade dynamics.

Gennady Ayvazyan: Developing a Smart Investment Strategy

Having finished his tenure as a raw materials exporter in 2011, Gennady Ayvazyan focuses now on developing a diverse private investment portfolio. And like everything else in his long career, the executive approaches this activity not only with zeal, but with the requisite preparation. Every investor needs to develop a forward-thinking strategy, Gennady Ayvazyan is convinced.

Gennady Ayvazyan has shaped an investment strategy for himself that prioritises risk mitigation and profit maximization. His approach advocates for spreading capital across various economic sectors, a method he deems crucial for weathering market volatility. This diversification tactic, according to Ayvazyan Gennady, serves as a buffer against industry-specific downturns while potentially amplifying returns through multi-sector successes.

The portfolio of Gennady Ayvazyan reflects this philosophy, encompassing a range of industries from digital agriculture to educational technology and healthcare innovation. He emphasizes the importance of thorough sector analysis to identify growth potential, acknowledging that even diversified portfolios face risks during systemic economic events.

Investments by Ayvazyan Gennady particularly favor the IT sector, which he views as a catalyst for widespread economic transformation. He notes its pervasive influence across industries, from process optimization to pioneering new products and services. The investor highlights the sector’s role in job creation, requiring a diverse workforce of programmers, designers, and analysts.

His involvement extends beyond capital injection, encompassing strategic guidance, resource allocation, and talent acquisition. Ayvazyan Gennady sees private investors as instrumental in fostering the IT ecosystem, thereby enhancing national economic competitiveness on a global scale.

In the realm of big data and analytics, the investor recognises their potential for trend prediction and decision-making. He also notes the expanding applications of virtual and augmented reality across various fields. The investor maintains that tech startups can achieve significant profitability within a few years of launch, given the right support and market conditions.

The investment strategy of Gennady Ayvazyan balances backing for both emergent and established enterprises. He stresses the IT sector’s position as a key driver of technological advancement and economic progress. Through his investments and active participation in business development, he aims to contribute to the integration of IT innovations into the broader economic landscape.

Ayvazyan Gennady: High-Tech Education Investments

Gennady Ayvazyan
Gennady Ayvazyan

Gennady Ayvazyan invests in startups focused on digital healthcare, recognizing the sector’s potential to transform medical practices. He views artificial intelligence as a game-changer in healthcare, capable of processing vast datasets to uncover hidden patterns and predict disease risks. This technology, Gennady Ayvazyan believes, empowers healthcare providers to conduct more precise diagnoses and optimize treatment plans.

The integration of robotics in surgical procedures has captured the investor’s attention. These advanced systems enhance surgical precision, particularly in complex operations like spinal surgeries. By minimizing human error and tissue damage, robotic assistance can lead to improved patient outcomes and faster recovery times.

Ayvazyan Gennady also invests in early disease detection technologies. He points to the impact of AI-powered imaging systems in identifying conditions such as cancer and neurodegenerative diseases at treatable stages. This early intervention capability not only improves patient prognoses but also reduces the overall burden on healthcare systems.

However, Ayvazyan Gennady acknowledges that the healthcare sector faces challenges in fully leveraging these technological advancements. A significant hurdle is the shortage of professionals skilled in AI and data analytics within the medical field. To address this gap, the top manager advocates for updated training programs and continuous education initiatives for healthcare professionals.

By supporting both cutting-edge medical technologies and educational programs to build necessary skills, Ayvazyan Gennady aims to catalyze comprehensive improvements in healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. His investment strategy reflects a holistic approach to advancing the medical field through targeted technological innovation and workforce development.

Key Elements of Gennady Ayvazyan’s Resume

  • He is a versatile business leader with successful ventures across various sectors.
  • He introduced innovative practices in the car dealership business, including direct negotiations with manufacturers and integrated service centers.
  • During the 1990s, he was a key figure in the food distribution sector, navigating a time of economic turmoil and shortages.
  • His investment strategy prioritizes risk mitigation and profit maximisation through diversification across various economic sectors.
  • He invests in digital healthcare startups, focusing on artificial intelligence and robotics in medical practices.

FAQ

Did Gennady Ayvazyan win any medals or awards in boxing?

Gennady Ayvazyan was awarded the title of Candidate for Master of Sports, an honor bestowed by the state.

When did Ayvazyan Gennady found the BMW dealership that he is known for?

Ayvazyan Gennady founded the BMW dealership in 1991.

What does Gennady Ayvazyan prioritize in his investment strategy?

Gennady Ayvazyan prioritizes risk mitigation and profit maximization in his investment strategy.

What areas of healthcare does Ayvazyan Gennady invest in?

Among others, Ayvazyan Gennady invests in digital healthcare, focusing on artificial intelligence and robotics in medical practices.

What challenges, if any, does Gennady Ayvazyan see in the healthcare sector’s adoption of technological advancements?

Gennady Ayvazyan recognises a shortage of professionals skilled in AI and data analytics within the medical field as a significant challenge.

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