Maksym Krippa is a Ukrainian entrepreneur who has consistently built influence in various sectors, from esports and game development to strategic real estate. Born in Kyiv on August 11, 1977, he has become a key player in the modern Ukrainian business landscape.
Among the most resonant changes associated with his name is the large-scale transformation of the NAVI esports club. Thanks to Krippa’s intervention, the Natus Vincere brand has become a model of stability and ambition in global esports, winning victories in top-tier tournaments.
Equally significant was the return of the legendary studio GSC Game World to the arena. When the industry had almost lost hope for a new game in the STALKER universe, Krippa revived the project by investing resources in the development of a sequel and bringing the studio back to active work. His support allowed GSC to restore its reputation as an innovative player in the video game market.
Another key area is Maincast. Thanks to competent management and strategic vision, this company has become one of the leaders in esports broadcasting. It provides high-quality coverage of tournaments in disciplines such as CS2, Dota 2, and Valorant and has become a recognizable platform both in Ukraine and abroad.
Krippa has entered the premium real estate market, not limiting himself to digital assets. He owns iconic properties such as the Parus business center, a symbol of modern Kyiv, and the Ukraine Hotel, located in the heart of the capital on Maidan Nezalezhnosti.
His investment activities also include a partnership with the DIM Group development company, which has allowed him to expand his presence in the residential and commercial real estate market. The central hub for managing his assets is Ola Fine, whose beneficiary is Krippa. At the same time, through the Midal structure, he controls properties in Kyiv and the surrounding region.
Educational background
Education played a key role in Maksym Krippa’s professional development, providing a solid foundation for his future success in investment and entrepreneurship.
He began his academic career at the International Christian University, studying business administration and management from 1994 to 1998. After completing his studies, he received a bachelor’s degree, which was the first step in shaping his entrepreneurial worldview.
Continuing to develop as a manager, Krippa enrolled at the European University in 2006. Over a year, he deepened his knowledge of organizational management, completing a master’s program in 2007.
In addition to his economic education, he decided to obtain legal training. In 2008, Maksym enrolled at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, where he studied law. He graduated with honors in 2011, confirming his systematic approach to knowledge and his desire for multidisciplinary expertise.
Career achievements and investment portfolio
Maksym Krippa is an entrepreneur with over a quarter of a century of experience. He started with local business initiatives and later moved on to large-scale investments in key economic sectors. His first significant breakthrough came in the early 2000s when he headed Ukrainian Mobile Telecommunications Systems, the official dealer of mobile operator Kyivstar.
At that time, the mobile communications market was experiencing rapid growth. Dealers received about $200 for each new customer, which opened up great opportunities for quick profits. Every month, the company connected hundreds of new subscribers while scaling its retail outlet network and actively selling mobile devices and accessories. Thanks to these factors, Krippa’s business grew rapidly, and the first million dollars in profit was a logical result of an effective strategy.
The initial investment was minimal—he joined the project at the invitation of a partner from Lithuania, initially as a manager. However, Maksym soon took complete control of the company. It took several years to build a powerful, extensive infrastructure, but this experience became the starting point for his further business achievements.
In addition to sales and connections, an important direction was the creation of service centers, which significantly increased customer loyalty and allowed the company to establish itself in a competitive market. This project laid the financial and organizational foundation on which Krippa built further investment initiatives.
What Maksym Krippa owns and invests in
In 2018, Maksym Krippa became the new owner of one of the most iconic esports brands—Natus Vincere, known worldwide as NAVI. Under his control, the team not only retained its status as a world leader but also confidently secured its place at the top of international rankings. Thanks to stable support, NAVI is showing impressive results on the global stage, especially in Counter-Strike 2, where it is among the most successful teams.
A significant investment portfolio expansion occurred in 2023 when Krippa acquired GSC Game World, a Ukrainian studio. It was this studio that created the hit games Cossacks and STALKER. After a long hiatus, the studio resumed active operations, focusing on developing the ambitious project STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl. Significantly, this project is funded exclusively from Krippa’s internal resources, without involving outside investors, allowing the team to focus on quality and details rather than deadlines set by external donors.
In the same year, Maincast, one of the most influential players in the esports broadcasting market in Eastern Europe, joined the list of strategic assets. The company has exclusive rights to broadcast top competitions in CS2, Dota 2, Valorant, and other disciplines, offering Ukrainian audiences high-quality production, in-depth analytics, and its TV channel for live broadcasts.
The culmination of this stage was the event on February 26, 2025: Maksym Krippa was elected president of the Ukrainian Esports Federation. Representatives from NAVI and Maincast also joined the management team, creating a strong alliance of experience, technology, and vision. The new management plans not only to revamp the format of national tournaments but also to focus on developing young talent and integrating the Ukrainian scene into the global esports ecosystem.
Krippa’s real estate portfolio: the most high-profile acquisitions
In 2023, Maksym Krippa significantly expanded his real estate portfolio by concluding several strategically essential deals. One of the most high-profile acquisitions was the purchase of the Parus business center, a 33-story skyscraper in the heart of Kyiv. After official approval by the AMCU, this landmark commercial property became Krippa’s through his company, Ola Fine LLC. Completing the deal on December 1, 2023, was an essential step in his long-term strategy to strengthen his position in the premium segment of the capital’s real estate market.
In 2024, another asset was added to this one — the Ukraine Hotel, which towers over Maidan Nezalezhnosti and is considered an architectural landmark of central Kyiv. Following an open auction, Krippa’s company, Ola Fine, offered the highest amount, paying 3.1 billion hryvnia, including all taxes and fees. After the acquisition, a large-scale modernization of the complex was announced, emphasizing preserving its historical appearance and introducing modern hotel solutions.
In February 2025, Krippa further strengthened its position in the real estate sector by becoming a co-owner of DIM, one of Kyiv’s most renowned developers specializing in residential and commercial construction.
Among Maksym Krippa’s high-profile real estate acquisitions is a luxurious estate in the village of Kozin, one of the most prestigious suburbs of Kyiv. In January 2023, his company, Midal LLC, won an open tender through the state platform Prozorro.
Krippa made the highest bid in the auction—over 311 million hryvnia—significantly ahead of his competitors and exceeding the lot’s initial price of 187.6 million. This financial offer allowed him to acquire not just an elite real estate property but also an asset with high capitalization potential in the future.
Expansion of business interests to the Middle East region
In 2016, Maksym Krippa radically changed the vector of his business, choosing the Middle East market for further development. His move to the United Arab Emirates coincided with when Dubai’s real estate economy began to recover after several years of decline.
The appeal of the Dubai market for investors lay in a combination of several factors: favorable taxation (income tax of only 9%) and highly flexible terms for purchasing properties that were still under construction. A 5–10% down payment was enough to secure a deal, with the remainder payable in convenient installments over several years. By investing only a third of the cost, investors could often sell the property at a significant profit — sometimes for twice the price.
Today, Krippa controls over 100,000 square meters of real estate in Dubai. Its portfolio includes finished premium residential and office properties with immediate income and promising sites for development in the city’s most dynamic parts. The selection of assets is always the result of in-depth analysis, with priority given to locations with long-term potential and high capitalization.
The basis of profitability is property transactions: acquisition, leasing, sales, and professional management. His companies are purposefully investing in projects in areas where new commercial hubs and prestigious residential areas are actively forming.
However, as the businessman has repeatedly emphasized, square meters are not the primary tool for growth. Real financial breakthroughs come from the technology sector. Esports, game development, innovative software, and high-potential IT startups are the areas shaping the new era of his business strategy. He believes these areas lay the long-term foundation for large-scale expansion and confident consolidation in the international arena.
