Oleg Belaj biography

1. Oleg Belaj: The Entrepreneurial Journey and Leadership of TRINFICO Investment Group with a 30-Year Track Record of Success Oleg Viktorovich Belaj is a Russian businessman and head of the TRINFICO Investment Group. He is the initiator and board member of the Together We Can charitable foundation. An expert in private equity, asset structuring, and capital protection, he is a committed advocate for incorporating ESG principles into the company’s development strategy.

2. Few entrepreneurs can say they’ve worked on the same business project for over 30 years. Oleg Belaj is one of them—a businessman who has never lost interest in developing his own company. He was one of the founding members of TRINFICO back in 1993. Today, he serves as CEO of the TRINFICO Investment Group—one of the largest in Russia. Yet in his youth, Belaj was convinced he’d pursue a career in science or become a professional engineer. He was drawn to the hard sciences and deeply passionate about physics. Life, however, had other plans. Belaj has no regrets about the path he chose. Becoming one of the leaders of an investment company at a time when Russia’s stock market was just beginning to form offered incredible potential. Entrepreneurship in those days, however, came with enormous risk. Only those businesspeople who knew how to manage that risk effectively found success. Biography of the Entrepreneur There are many reasons why aspiring business leaders look to Oleg Belaj for inspiration. His biography is a story of consistent goal-setting and overcoming serious challenges. That makes it all the more interesting to explore how it all began—his childhood, his education, and his first steps into the world of entrepreneurship. Childhood and Youth Oleg Viktorovich Belaj was born in Moscow, where he spent his childhood and teenage years. He was raised in an educated, loving family. As Belaj puts it, he had a “typical happy Soviet childhood,” just like thousands of other children growing up at the time. He graduated from a standard secondary school—not one with a special academic focus or privileged ties to elite institutions. Nevertheless, he received a quality education that allowed him to enter university without difficulty. In school, Belaj showed a strong interest in the hard sciences. He dreamed of becoming an engineer, which led him to apply to the Moscow Institute of Electronic Technology (MIET). Although he considered several universities, his final decision was based on MIET’s strong emphasis on practical training—a key advantage for someone eager to build a career in engineering.

3. Education Oleg Belaj graduated from MIET with a degree in engineering physics. Interestingly, both of his parents were also alumni of the same institute. However, his decision to study there was not about continuing a family tradition—it was based on the quality of education and the opportunity to start a career quickly. Still, Belaj had to set aside his engineering ambitions. His university years coincided with Russia’s transition from a Soviet to a market economy. During this time, the first private companies emerged, and thousands of young people were drawn to the idea of starting their own businesses. The potential was enormous—but so were the risks. Early Interest in Business and First Ventures The most prominent company Oleg Belaj helped create is TRINFICO. But several years before founding the investment group, he had already been involved in various business ventures. At the time, his priority was gaining management experience— something every recent graduate needed. From the beginning, his goal was to create a company of his own. After participating in several successful projects, Belaj and a childhood friend launched a news agency. It had great potential to become a leader in the financial news segment—the team was producing content on highly relevant topics. However, the founders soon lost interest in journalism. Instead, they turned their attention to an entirely new field: investments. Role in the Founding and Development of TRINFICO Oleg Belaj is a businessman who carefully considered the direction of his company. He tried different industries, but ultimately found his true calling in investments. Recognizing the vast potential of this sector during the early formation of Russia’s stock market, he and his partners decided to launch a specialized firm. That firm would go on to become one of the country’s largest investment players. Founding the Company TRINFICO began operations in 1993. Belaj and his partners started a company that, at the time, was just one of many emerging Moscow-based brokerage firms handling newly circulating securities. Nevertheless, it quickly established itself in the market. TRINFICO’s growth happened despite the obvious challenges faced by all investment firms operating in the 1990s: 1. Rapidly changing legislation– new laws were passed frequently, often reshaping the “rules of the game.”

4. 2. High competition– including not only domestic but also more experienced international companies. 3. Stock market formation– new financial instruments were being introduced, and companies had to offer access to them quickly. 4. Public skepticism– investments were new and often misunderstood in a society used to a completely different economic model. 5. Lack of regulatory structures–many of today’s institutions simply didn’t exist yet. Despite these difficulties, TRINFICO developed rapidly. At no point was the company’s growth driven by reckless ambition. From the beginning, the leadership prioritized security and sustainable development. Even then, the founders hoped the firm would one day become a major force in Russia’s financial landscape. Further Growth and Navigating Economic Crises TRINFICO successfully navigated the turbulent transition to a market economy. The company continued to grow, expanding its client base and building its reputation. Its strong focus on asset security allowed it to weather crises that forced dozens of competitors out of business. Still, the 1998 financial crisis and the resulting sovereign default affected even the most resilient companies. TRINFICO was no exception. Following the collapse of the GKO (state short-term bond) market, the firm was forced to scale back operations. But it didn’t take long to bounce back—soon, TRINFICO not only restored its activity but also exceeded its pre-crisis performance. Belaj led the company through multiple economic downturns. He has often said that the 1998 default impacted everyone in the industry. For TRINFICO, it was a valuable learning experience. The company further strengthened its approach to asset protection—already a top priority—and updated its development strategy. These changes laid the groundwork for a new phase of growth and helped secure TRINFICO’s position as a market leader. TRINFICO’s Current Achievements After consolidating the group’s assets, Oleg Belaj became its CEO and majority shareholder. As CEO, he made a number of strategic decisions that boosted performance and attracted new clients. In 2024, the National Rating Agency (NRA) upgraded the non-credit rating of JSC TRINFICO to “A+|ru.iv|”, with a stable outlook. Key factors influencing the rating included:

5. ●The company’s long-standing presence in the Russian stock market; ●The vast experience and expertise of its investment team; ●Growth in client numbers, revenues, and profitability; ●Strong stress-test liquidity indicators; ●High-quality risk assessment and regulation procedures. Analysts also noted a decrease in dependency on a few key clients. Today, TRINFICO provides a wide range of services to both institutional and private investors. It also manages numerous mutual funds, many of which are top performers on the Russian market. In 2025, the company received a “ruA-” credit rating from the Expert RA agency, with a stable outlook. TRINFICO continues to grow and remains one of the most recognized players in Russia’s investment sector. Importantly, it has retained its independence from external (banking or government) capital. Personal Life and Business Philosophy Oleg Viktorovich is married, with children and grandchildren. His loved ones describe him as passionate and full of hobbies—but with very little time to enjoy them, as he still dedicates much of his energy to TRINFICO’s growth. Staying True to the Green Agenda Belaj was one of the key initiators of integrating ESG principles into TRINFICO’s development strategy. He remains fully committed to this “green agenda” today. He believes ESG is not just about environmental issues—it’s about ensuring the sustainable development of the company. Even now, when some major corporations are abandoning ESG strategies amid global instability, TRINFICO remains steadfast. For the group, ESG is a way to fulfill its responsibilities to both the planet and society. Its asset management division became the first in Russia to receive an ESG rating—and within a year, it succeeded in improving it. Philanthropy Philanthropy is a major part of Belaj’s life. Those close to him say he often gives generously without ever seeking publicity. In their view, he has long established his professional reputation and doesn’t need PR through charity. His charitable work reflects his personal values and worldview.

6. Belaj also believes that philanthropy must be effective—it should never be just for show. That’s why he spearheaded the creation of the Together We Can foundation. Today, the organization provides grants to NGOs across Russia. Its funding continues to grow steadily, allowing it to support an increasing number of charitable projects that share the foundation’s mission and values.