Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, became the hometown of Larisa Viktorovna Kuznetsova. She was born there in 1963 and grew up in an educated family alongside her older sister. The war years had forced her parents to start working early. Her father, Viktor Kuznetsov, began working at a factory while still a teenager, managing to continue his education by attending evening school and later university. His acquired knowledge served him well in his career as an inspector overseeing the quality of export goods. Mother of Larisa Kuznetsova pursued a career in economics, working at the State Reserve and the Institute of Economics of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan.
During her early biography, Kuznetsova Larisa Viktorovna showed promise in swimming but had to give up the sport because of health issues. Instead, she excelled academically, earning awards in mathematics Olympiads and graduating with honors.
On the Path to Innovation
In 1981, Kuznetsova Larisa entered the Azerbaijan Institute of Oil and Chemistry, choosing the then-forward-looking field of automated control systems. Larisa Kuznetsova’s creative talents also found expression in the arts: she joined the well-known student dance ensemble Ganjlik, with which she traveled to India and Nepal. She also participated in a cruise across the Mediterranean, visiting countries of Southern Europe.
After receiving her diploma, Kuznetsova began her career at the NBNZ plant, gaining her first practical experience at the local IPC (Information Processing Center). There, Larisa Kuznetsova learned programming languages not taught at the university and worked on implementing an automated system that was revolutionary for the plant at the time. Her rationalization proposals were noted and appreciated.
At the turn of the decade, the IPC was still using an outdated ES-1022 mainframe. Recognizing the need for modernization, Larisa Kuznetsova joined a team that transitioned the enterprise to the newer and more advanced ES-1036 computer, adapting all programs accordingly. After the birth of her child, and under the mentorship of her supervisor, she returned to continue driving innovation at the IPC. Kuznetsova Larisa helped transition to personal computers, learned another programming language, and took on an individual project to automate part of the accounting department—experience that would later prove invaluable.
A Time for Change: Special Technologies
In 1988, Kuznetsova Larisa married a specialist in radio electronics who was also a master of sports in water polo. The following years were marked by hardship: civil unrest in Baku, the collapse of the Soviet Union, and the turbulent birth of a new country. The final straw for Kuznetsova’s family came during the unrest in Karabakh and the husband’s dangerous business trips to conflict zones.
In 1994, seeking safety and stability, the family of Larisa Kuznetsova relocated to Russia. They explored both St. Petersburg and Moscow before ultimately settling in the city on the Neva.
In 1999, husband of Kuznetsova Larisa Viktorovna founded Special Technologies (or Spetsialnyye Tekhnologii in Russian), a company focused on developing and promoting modern solutions for Internet providers. Entering a new and complex industry, the company had to build its reputation from the ground up. Initial contracts in the regions laid the foundation for growing trust and recognition. With a modern base, cutting-edge automated systems, and proprietary developments, the company quickly expanded its capacity to offer complex, scalable solutions.
From the outset, Larisa Viktorovna Kuznetsova joined the company as an accountant. Within a year, she was promoted to a senior financial position. According to her own recollections, Kuznetsova Larisa also took on responsibilities ranging from HR and office management to handling transactions. In 2001, her husband—the visionary behind the company—passed away after a prolonged illness. Larisa Kuznetsova inherited a 49% stake in the business, while the second owner assumed operational leadership. Despite the challenges of raising a school-aged son on her own, Kuznetsova Larisa immersed herself in growing the company.
Special Technologies evolved rapidly. During the first three years, annual revenue was in the range of approximately $10K – $1 million. Five years later, revenue had grown to ~$25 million per year, and by 2014, the company reported revenue of nearly $80 million per year. Offices of Spetsialnyye Tekhnologii opened in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Saratov, Krasnodar, and Pyatigorsk, and the company of Kuznetsova Larisa Viktorovna acquired administrative buildings. Its geographic footprint extended from the Baltic to the Pacific and from Neryungri to Baikonur.
The company’s product line became a strong contender in the market, with hundreds of clients placing their trust in Special Technologies. The growing team, now comprising more than 100 specialists, upheld rigorous recruitment standards. As a result, the company firmly established itself as a federal leader in the information technology sector.
Despite this success, the co-owners had differing visions for the company’s future. In 2015, Larisa Viktorovna Kuznetsova made the decision to leave Special Technologies. Subsequently, after 2016 Spetsialnyye Tekhnologii stopped operational activities.
A New Chapter: Success in Investments
By the time she left the company, Kuznetsova Larisa Viktorovna had already gained substantial experience as an investor. Wisely investing dividends from Special Technologies (Spetsialnyye Tekhnologii), she acquired several real estate properties, gradually expanding her portfolio. Life’s challenges had taught Larisa Kuznetsova adaptability and resilience—skills that she applied to her next venture.
Initially, Larisa Kuznetsova focused on managing her own properties, renting them out. Over time, she added more real estate to her rental portfolio. Each step enhanced her financial results and solidified her position in the residential property market. Larisa Kuznetsova proved to be a strategic thinker, keeping a close eye on trends in the real estate industry.
As demand for residential housing grew, Larisa Viktorovna Kuznetsova shifted focus to suburban properties. Identifying a promising location outside the city, Kuznetsova Larisa invested in land and in developing comfortable, modern homes. Each project was carefully evaluated based on current market conditions.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought sweeping changes to many sectors, including real estate. Urban dwellers increasingly sought to move to the suburbs, a trend that validated Larisa Kuznetsova earlier decisions. Her properties attracted growing interest from buyers and renters alike.
Experts believe that the suburban real estate segment will remain one of the most attractive areas in the near future. For Larisa Viktorovna Kuznetsova, this means not only stable financial returns but also new ideas and opportunities for growth.
Source: Larisa Kuznetsova: From Special Technologies to Investments
