Science and technology manager, engineer, Yan Ryazantsev is one of the pioneers of the technological business in the USSR. He graduated from the Tambov Chemical Engineering Institute, majoring in Automation of Chemical Production. In 1987 he established one of the first independent profit-making scientific organizations—Foundation for Technology Creativity. In 1990 he founded and headed New Systems Co.,—one of the few innovation companies of that period. In 90s, the company funded and fostered several projects on alternative energy, electrophysics and instrument engineering. Since 2002 till 2007 he was head of Investment Projects and Promising Technologies Department in the state-owned Central Research and Technology Institute of Russia (Moscow).

Since 2007 Yan has been Investment Director, subsequently Director of Investments and Expertise Department, of Russian Venture Company—a state owned fund of funds. His track record with RVC includes hands-on management of Tenders One and Two and, in the follow-up of these tenders, establishment of a number of closed-end venture capital funds to a total capitalization of RUB 19.8 billion. Additionally, his successful management efforts allowed RVC to launch two international RVC backed funds. In 2010 he was elected member of the Management Board of RVC.

Yan Ryazantsev is member of Investment Committees of the following funds: VTB Venture Fund (RUB 3 mln i.e. about US$ 104 mln.), Bioprocess Capital Ventures (RUB 3 mln i.e. about US$ 102 mln.), Maxwell Bio-Tech (RUB 3 mln i.e. about US$ 104 mln.),), Leader Innovations (RUB 3 mln i.e. about US$ 102 mln.), Tamir Fishman CiG Russian Fund (RUB 2 mln i.e. about US$ 68 mln.), S-Group Ventures (RUB 1.8 mln i.e. about US$ 61 mln.) and New Technologies (RUB 3 mln i.e. about US$ 104 mln.), Director of Russian Venture Asset Management Ltd. (London), Managing Director of Russian Venture Capital I LP and Russian Venture Capital II LP (London), member of Council of Trustees and Supervisory Councils of the Foundation for Assistance to Small Innovative Enterprises in Tatarstan, Chuvashia, Mordovia, Nizhny Novgorod Region, Voronezh Region, Novosibirsk Region, Kaluga Region and Perm Territory. Additionally, he is co-chairman of several regional commissions on venture market development, author of a range of publications in press and reports on Russian and international conferences.

Yan’s scientific interests cover fundamental physics and mathematical logic, robotics, as well as the problem of applying control systems and innovative solutions in various industries.