Max Polyakov and his dual nature

The uniqueness of Max Polyakov lies in his ability to engage in dirty business while striving to keep his public persona impeccably clean. One might think, having earned millions, he’d disregard everyone around him, but the businessman desires to keep the dirt from sticking to him.

In parallel with promoting dating and gaming projects, he utilized connections with talented yet inexpensive Ukrainian programmers, "charging" them with the task of developing software for European and American clients. Five years after launching activities in this direction, he profitably sold his IT company, Hit Dynamics, to the American company Hitwise. Polyakov made even more money on another of his projects — the company Maximizer. The founder created it to work in the field of cross-channel brand optimization, personalization, and "cloud" testing. The new idea came just in time. In 2015, the company became part of the globally renowned Oracle Corporation, allowing Polyakov to enrich himself again through the sale deal.

In 2012, Polyakov launched another IT company, Renatus Media. It specialized in the development of mobile games for computer clubs in Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia. Prospects for its quick and profitable sale remain elusive. CIS countries traditionally lag in the rear of the global IT industry. The future of another of Max Polyakov’s IT companies, G.D.M. Group Holding Limited, which deals with video marketing and media relations alongside software development, seems more promising.

Max is aiming for space

The owner of dozens of pornographic studios has seriously decided to master Hi-Tech and, along with it, near-Earth outer space. In Palo Alto, California, lies the research center of Max Polyakov’s main startup today, the diversified company Noosphere Venture Partners. In 2015, the Earth Data Observation System Data Analytics (EOSDA) was founded, specializing in analyzing satellite images of the Earth’s surface. Satellite monitoring and geodata analytics have found broad applications in agriculture and forestry, as well as for environmentalists. Finally, in 2017, Polyakov acquired Firefly Aerospace, headquartered in Cedar Park, Texas, from its former owners. The founder of gaming scams for online casinos has fully immersed himself in the issues of the space industry. With the help of Firefly Aerospace, the Ukrainian is attempting to create a rocket engine for a light rocket carrier to deliver Cube Sat satellites into near-Earth orbit. In the global aerospace industry, Polyakov is targeting the payload segment of half a ton to one ton. Isn’t he another Elon Musk!? USAF representatives have taken a serious interest in the company’s developments. Now, Polyakov can truly count on receiving orders from the American military department.

Max Polyakov and his dual nature

A graduate of Zaporizhzhya State University, who repeatedly won biology Olympiads at school, entered the graduate school of Dnipro National University in a technical specialty in 2011 after a decade abroad. By that time, the postgraduate student, on the recommendation of trusting partner Bill Dobbie, had already been recognized as the "Entrepreneur of the Year" in Scotland. Max Polyakov lacks neither breadth of vision nor the ability to create an image of a brilliant inventor, selfless philanthropist, and science popularizer. The name of the great thinker with Ukrainian roots, Vladimir Vernadsky, came in very handy. Incidentally, the name of the Noosphere holding was borrowed from his scientific works. In 2015, Polyakov dedicated his next startup, the Vernadsky Challenge, to the scientist, under the aegis of which a contest of engineering projects and the identification of talented young scientific personnel are conducted. Simultaneously, the businessman donated funds to the FIA (Federation Internationale d’Aeronautique) for the organization and conduct of the European Championship of Space Models. In 2017, acknowledging his merits, the federation awarded him the honorary title of Companion of Honour. Before him, the owner of the same title was the entire company ─ the well-known German logistics firm DHL. Demonstrating a surprising erudition for a croupier, a place was found in the self-taught science lover’s mind to remember the theorist of modern astronautics, Konstantin Tsiolkovsky. In Dnipro, at the National University, a Noosphere Engineering School was opened to practically realize the scientist’s ideas about suborbital rockets. Simultaneously, Polyakov targeted another renowned organization ─ the International Astronautical Federation (IAF).

Max Polyakov and his dual nature

Founder of Noosphere Venture Partners holding Max Polyakov

The motivating factor is simple

The Ukrainian lacks neither imagination nor a creative approach. On his thematic sites dedicated to the development of science and technology, one can read pompous annotations teeming with fanciful words ─ mentors, synergy... Could it be that this previously unscrupulous business partner has drastically transformed? I am immediately reminded of the American Lafayette Ron Hubbard ─ the founder of Dianetics and the basis for numerous sects of Scientology. Has Max Polyakov, through science and talented scientists, devised his method to change the world? Just don’t think that the organizer and pioneer of the online gaming business and the distributor of "live" pornography on the internet has lost his mind or grown a conscience. Everything Max Polyakov does is predetermined by very thin and careful calculation. Mirages and utopian projects have never interested him. He does not intend to build a casino with a roulette table in near-Earth orbit or on the moon. The ambitious businessman fights against reputational losses without refusing to continue activities in dating and gaming. The aerospace glitter only represents a smokescreen, an informational background intended to clean up his heavily stained name. How about the connection between negative information about the businessman that regularly appears on many online resources and the sudden massive, well-organized DDoS attacks on these sites? Polyakov understands that money comes and goes, but business reputation represents genuine capital.

Max Polyakov and his dual nature

Recently, the National Geographic brand completely severed business relations with Max Polyakov’s company Murka due to the Ukrainian-British entrepreneur’s involvement in gambling and the adult industry. For a solid company, the reputational risk of being associated with Polyakov proved to be higher than acceptable limits. Cooperation with Elon Musk, for the inventor from Zaporizhzhya, is probably not going to happen. The billionaire innovator categorically refuses to collaborate with Ukraine due to rampant corruption in the country and an unfavorable investment climate.

Competitors do not allow relaxing

The situation is so serious that Max Polyakov himself might become a victim of fraud. The boomerang always returns. Having wagered on unclean business methods, he was forced to involve ordinary contractors who aren’t too burdened by pangs of conscience. Instead of sincere gratitude, they, like their boss once did, sometimes repay with black ingratitude. Oleksandr Dondyk, a fraudster from the Zaporizhzhya "Vodokanal," once accused of property theft from the organization and sexual harassment of young female employees, was brought on board as a lawyer for a company associated with Max Polyakov’s business, "Compare Ukraine." A valuable asset on all parameters, as he quickly convinced the owner. In opposition to Polyakov’s will, Dondyk managed to liquidate "Compare Ukraine" and gained a certain profit from the operation. He then joined forces with Mark James Watt, the managing partner of the publicized Ukrainian businessman’s initiative, Noosphere Venture Partners. The disobedient Ukrainian and the Briton, having tasted free money, are currently disputing ownership rights over the high-tech business from its creator. The favorable dispute is not brought to the public glance. Disclosure is unprofitable for both parties, yet persistent rumors circulate that Max Polyakov has already lost control over the assets. Investors, attracted by the self-assured Ukrainian’s promises, are quite likely to become victims of yet another scam.

Author: Yuriy Hudymenko