Serhiy Tokarev: Ukrainian Investor, Roosh Ventures Co-Founder, and STEM Education Advocate
Serhiy Tokarev is a Ukrainian tech entrepreneur, international investor, and education advocate who has built a career at the intersection of artificial intelligence, venture capital, and social impact. As co-founder and general partner of Roosh and Roosh Ventures, he has invested in over 40 startups across AI/ML, fintech, gaming, and health tech sectors.
Table Of Content
Born on January 1, 1982, Tokarev has spent over two decades in the technology industry. His work extends beyond profit-driven ventures into educational initiatives designed to transform Ukraine into a recognized global tech hub.
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Profession | Tech Entrepreneur, Investor, Philanthropist |
| Full Name | Serhiy Tokarev |
| Date of Birth | January 1, 1982 |
| Age | 44 years old (as of 2026) |
| Gender | Male |
| Primary Roles | Co-Founder & General Partner at Roosh Ventures, Founder of Tokarev Foundation, Co-Founder of SET University |
| Notable Investments | Reface, Deel, Oura, Zibra AI, TheGuarantors, Pipe, Alma |
| Social Media | LinkedIn, Instagram |
Education and Early Career
Tokarev graduated from Moscow University for the Humanities with a degree in Management and later studied at the University of Malta. He entered the IT industry in 2000, working his way through various positions from call center operator to management roles in large companies.
During the early 2000s, Tokarev participated in developing international IT projects and building strategies for technology companies. This experience provided the foundation for his later transition into venture capital and entrepreneurship. Throughout his career, he has established over 30 businesses globally across fintech, gaming, and health tech industries.
Roosh and Roosh Ventures
Tokarev co-founded Roosh in 2020 alongside Den Dmitrenko, a fellow entrepreneur and co-founder of Reface. The company operates as a technology investment group focused on AI and machine learning startups. In 2021, Tokarev and Kyle Ukho established Roosh Ventures as the venture capital arm of the broader Roosh ecosystem.
Roosh Ventures operates differently from traditional venture funds. Rather than forming multi-year funds, the firm reinvests earnings from successful deals. With offices in Kyiv, Paris, and London, Roosh Ventures manages approximately $50 million in assets and invests in startups from pre-seed through Series A stages.
Investment Portfolio
Roosh Ventures has backed more than 40 companies, including:
- Deel: Global HR and payroll platform
- Reface: Multi-product company with a face-swapping app that topped the US App Store
- Oura: Health tracking ring technology
- Zibra AI: AI company accepted into A16Z’s accelerator program
- TheGuarantors: Rental insurance and guarantee solutions
- Pipe: Revenue-based financing platform
- Alma: Mental healthcare platform
- Playco: Mobile gaming company
- Dapper Labs: Blockchain and NFT technology
- Alter: Fitness and wellness app
- Jome: New construction home platform (raised $9.8M Series A in 2025)
- GlassFlow: German data management startup (raised $1.1M in 2023)
- Jump: French freelance platform (raised €11M Series A in 2024)
- Arkis: British DeFi platform founded by Ukrainians (raised $2.25M pre-seed in 2024)
- Rollstack: Automated presentation and reporting tool (2023)
The firm collaborates with prominent co-investors, including Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), Sequoia Capital, Greylock, NEA, Insight Partners, and Tencent.
Roosh Ventures provides portfolio companies with support beyond capital. The firm offers expertise in AI/ML strategy, mobile app growth, B2B gaming sales, talent acquisition, fundraising, legal consulting, and public relations. Tokarev emphasizes helping Ukrainian entrepreneurs scale globally while maintaining a focus on profitability and sustainable growth.
Educational Initiatives
SET University
In 2021, Tokarev co-founded SET University (Science, Entrepreneurship, Technology) with the Kyiv School of Economics. The private technology institution aims to prepare future leaders of Ukraine’s tech industry by combining theoretical knowledge with practical entrepreneurship training.
SET University was launched during challenging circumstances. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 forced the institution to pivot quickly. Under President Iryna Volnytska’s leadership, SET introduced short cybersecurity courses, receiving 5,000 applications in two weeks and training 350 students who found employment during wartime.
The university now offers master’s programs in Cyber Defence, Innovation Engineering, Data Engineering, and Machine Learning & Cloud Solutions. SET recruits faculty from global tech companies, including Google, Uber, and Tesla, delivering most instruction online to accommodate speakers worldwide.
In 2024, SET announced a grant system covering up to 100% of tuition for Ukrainian women, veterans, internally displaced persons, and residents of conflict-affected regions. The scholarship initiative reflects Tokarev’s broader commitment to accessible technology education.
STEM is FEM
Tokarev initiated STEM is FEM, an educational project promoting science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education for Ukrainian girls. The program addresses gender imbalances in Ukraine’s IT sector, where women represent only 15-35% of the workforce and rarely hold management or development positions.
“As an expert in the IT industry, I see the number of female developers and managers is growing in the US, Europe, and the UK,” Tokarev stated. “Here in Ukraine, we are just starting this process.”
The initiative provides girls with opportunities to explore STEM fields, overcome fears, and challenge stereotypes about women in technology.
The Tokarev Foundation
Tokarev founded the Tokarev Foundation as a tech philanthropy organization supporting resilient, inclusive, and sustainable development in Ukraine through technology-driven solutions. The foundation operates several major programs:
SheLeads Program
Launched in partnership with uBoost, SheLeads is a free three-month accelerator for girls aged 16-22 interested in STEM careers or launching startups. The program provides mentorship, hands-on experience, and a supportive environment for young women to develop technical skills and business ideas. The second cohort began in February 2026.
Generation H Health Accelerator
A joint initiative between SET University and the Tokarev Foundation, Generation H supports young innovators and startups working on healthcare solutions. The program addresses Ukraine’s pressing needs for mental health support, physical rehabilitation, and advanced medical technologies arising from wartime challenges.
Tokarev views health tech as combining business opportunity with social impact. The global Health Tech market is projected to grow from $312.92 billion in 2024 to $981.23 billion by 2032, expanding at 15.4% annually.
Publishing Projects
The foundation supports charitable publishing initiatives providing contemporary educational literature in Ukrainian for teenagers. Since 2017, the project has published seven books, including translations of international bestsellers and works by Ukrainian authors, filling gaps in high-quality youth educational materials.
Professional Philosophy
Tokarev describes his approach as curiosity-driven. “I didn’t have any turning point, and I don’t even think I chose this path consciously,” he explained in a 2021 interview. “I let my curiosity guide me. I love to look at everything around me, test tech products, talk to all kinds of people, whoever they are, and learn something new from them.”
His stated mission is to transform Ukraine into a globally recognized technology center. This goal influences his business investments, educational projects, and philanthropic work. Tokarev advocates for shifting Ukraine’s IT industry from outsourcing-focused services to product-oriented companies that export technology rather than labor.
- 2000: Begins career in IT industry
- Early-Mid 2000s: Develops international IT projects and assumes leadership roles
- Late 2000s: Transitions toward investment and entrepreneurship
- 2020: Co-founds Roosh with Den Dmitrenko
- 2021: Establishes Roosh Ventures with Kyle Ukho; co-founds SET University
- 2023-2024: Expands Roosh Ventures portfolio across Europe and US markets
- 2025-2026: Continues active investing; launches SheLeads 2.0 cohort
Financial Overview
Tokarev’s income derives from multiple sources, including venture capital investments, business ventures, leadership positions, and strategic asset holdings. As co-founder and general partner of Roosh Ventures, he participates in a portfolio valued at approximately $50 million.
His investment range typically falls between $100,000 and $5 million, with a sweet spot around $1.5 million per deal. Successful exits from portfolio companies like Reface (which topped the US App Store) and partnerships with companies backed by tier-one venture firms contribute to his financial success.
| Asset Class | Estimated Value |
|---|---|
| Investment Portfolio | $20-30 million |
| Business Ventures | $15-25 million |
| Real Estate Holdings | $8-12 million |
| Other Assets | $5-8 million |
| Total Estimated Net Worth | $50-75 million |
These figures are estimates based on publicly available information about Roosh Ventures’ fund size, investment activity, and industry benchmarks. Actual values may differ.
Tokarev has received recognition for his contributions to Ukraine’s technology sector and his educational initiatives. Industry observers note his role in:
- Building Ukraine’s venture capital infrastructure during challenging circumstances
- Supporting Ukrainian founders in accessing international markets
- Promoting gender equality in technology through structured programs
- Creating educational pathways that encourage tech talent to remain in Ukraine
His work with SET University gained international attention when the institution persevered through Russia’s invasion, pivoting to meet urgent cybersecurity needs while maintaining its long-term educational mission.
Conclusion
Serhiy Tokarev represents a generation of Ukrainian entrepreneurs working to position their country as a competitive global technology hub. Through Roosh Ventures, he provides capital and expertise to startups across AI/ML, fintech, gaming, and health tech sectors. His investments in companies like Deel, Reface, and Oura demonstrate his ability to identify and support promising technologies.
Beyond financial returns, Tokarev’s work through SET University and the Tokarev Foundation addresses systemic challenges in Ukraine’s tech ecosystem. His initiatives target educational access, gender equality, and talent retention—foundational elements required for sustainable industry growth.
As Ukraine continues developing its technology sector under difficult circumstances, Tokarev’s combined approach of strategic investing and purposeful philanthropy offers a model for building tech ecosystems that serve both economic and social goals. His stated aim of making Ukraine one of the world’s top countries in AI development by 2030 reflects both ambition and commitment to long-term transformation.
