Stepan Zemtsov

Born in Moscow. In 2010, graduated with honors from the Faculty of Geography at Lomonosov Moscow State University, where in 2013 he defended his PhD dissertation on "Innovation Potential of Russian Regions." From 2007 to 2014, held various research positions at Lomonosov Moscow State University; since 2016, has been teaching. From 2010 to 2013, participated in projects of the Center for Strategic Research.

Since 2014, worked as a senior and later as a leading research fellow at the Institute for Applied Economic Research at RANEPA. From 2017 to 2019, headed a research laboratory at the All-Russian Academy of Foreign Trade of the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation. Since 2020, has been heading a research laboratory at the Presidential Academy (RANEPA), and also teaches and serves as a member of the dissertation council. Leads the long-term analytical project "High-Tech Business in Russian Regions."

In 2025, defended his doctoral dissertation on "Entrepreneurship in Russian Regions: Theory and Practice." Laureate of the Moscow Government Prize for Young Scientists for 2025 for a series of works on entrepreneurship research.

Ranked in the TOP-40 most cited Russian economists and TOP-10 geographers (by Hirsch index according to RSCI core). Author of more than 200 scholarly publications, including co-author of the books "In Search of Entrepreneurship in Russia," "Innovation Potential of Russian Regions," "Society and Pandemic," "Research Agenda for Entrepreneurship Policy," and others. Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of the New Economic Association, expert of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

Specialist in strategic consulting and planning: over the past two decades, has prepared dozens of development strategies for regions and cities, participated in the development of federal documents, including the Strategy for the Development of Small and Medium-Sized Entrepreneurship in Russia until 2030, development concepts for innovation centers "INO Tomsk" (Tomsk Region), "Innokam" (Tatarstan), and others. Has been repeatedly engaged in expert councils of government authorities.

Has received professional recognition: from the Deputy Chairman of the Government of Russia and from the head of the Accounts Chamber of the Russian Federation. Member of Russia's management talent pool in the field of science, technology, and higher education. Semi-finalist of the "Leaders of Russia. Science" competition.

Science popularizer. Has presented at more than 100 scholarly events, including abroad. Member of the New Economic Association and the Russian Geographical Society. Regular expert for professional media.

Lives and works in Moscow. Fluent in English.