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Investment Portal of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation
05.10.2023 // Factorial, a company based in the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation (AZRF), has launched the first café in Vorkuta where quizzes—team-based intellectual games—are held. The project was carried out in collaboration with the Far East Development Corporation (FEDC), with a total investment of RUB 1.4 mn.
The investors immediately decided to acquire their own premises instead of renting someone else's. They found a suitable building, renovated it, transformed an old store into a cosy café and purchased furniture and equipment—kitchen appliances, fire safety devices, video surveillance systems, as well as sound, photo and video equipment for the games. A portion of the funds was allocated for purchasing a franchise and promoting the new quiz. The unique format of the place has already been appreciated by the locals: teams of all kinds—from children's to corporate ones—participate in the games hosted by Factorial.
'It all began with a trip to St. Petersburg. After being invited to participate in a quiz game there, my friends and I were so impressed that we decided to introduce something similar in Vorkuta. Given our small city size and the long, cold winters, it's crucial for people to have opportunities to socialise and spend their time in a meaningful way. The quiz offers just that: a chance to showcase one's intelligence, quick thinking, logic and good reflexes, while engaging with interesting people and making like-minded friends. Being a resident of the AZRF provides valuable support for our project. This includes benefits such as tax and insurance contribution reductions, preferential loan terms and administrative and consulting assistance. The people of Vorkuta have warmly embraced our concept, with regular teams already established that participate in every game,' shared Vyacheslav Simonov, Director of Factorial LLC.
The investor pointed out that the questions supplied by the franchisor are not simply copied but are reworked and tailored to suit the local audience, ensuring everyone finds it engaging. The games are held 2–3 times a week, each focusing on different themes and subjects. Classic games are available, which mainly test general knowledge in areas such as music, sports and cinema. Family-oriented games are popular, allowing participants from all generations to showcase their skills. Students find questions that require 'spin,' or logical thinking, more interesting. Corporate quizzes provide a wonderful opportunity for mature, serious individuals to take a break from work for a few hours and immerse themselves in an atmosphere of thrill and excitement.
'It's fascinating to observe serious businessmen or officials letting loose and behaving like youngsters: a quiz is a whirlwind of emotions, a true surge of passion. Our regular visitors include teams from the city's drama theatre and the ministries of culture and sports. Teachers are extremely supportive and don't shy away even when students outperform them in certain rounds. We also attract individuals who enjoy other intellectual games. We warmly welcome anyone who wishes to spend time in the company of intelligent and intriguing competitors,' added Vyacheslav Simonov.
»On average, each game attracts 8–10 teams. It may not seem much compared to larger quizzes operating 'on an industrial scale,' where the number of teams can reach dozens in a single evening. As the AZRF resident acknowledges, both visitors and organisers have taken a liking to the intimate, cosy format:
'People often mention that they are drawn to our café primarily due to its quiet, intellectual ambiance. We've even hired around 10 staff members specifically for their ability to engage in intelligent conversation. People visit us not only for quizzes but also to play board games or to enjoy quality time with their children. A new tradition has emerged in Vorkuta: young people inviting their dates to our café.'
»The summer has ended, residents of Vorkuta are returning from their holidays on the mainland, and the Factorial quiz is kicking off a new season.
'The state support measures that residents of the AZRF benefit from enable them to execute various projects more swiftly, with fewer risks and expenses, including in the entertainment industry, thereby creating additional attractions for both locals and visitors of Arctic cities,' believes Vladimir Gudkov, Director of the Department for Arctic Zone Investment Projects Support in FEDC.
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As per FEDC, currently, over 660 projects are underway in the Russian Arctic with government backing, with the total declared investments surpassing RUB 822.6 bn, and creating over 25,000 jobs. Residents of the AZRF have effectively poured over RUB 100 bn into the macro-region's economy and have provided employment for 7,800 local inhabitants.
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