Sergey Vakula

Highly successful, dynamic, accomplished, goal-focused professional with over 30 years of experience and demonstrated track record of establishing and leading businesses, managing investments and operations of UHNWI family offices, and high-tech start-ups across the world. 

A reliable, trustworthy and dedicated problem solver and achiever with solid and profound global knowledge base and analytical skills, blended with language skills and fast apprehension of novel and complex topics and convoluted issues, including business, financial, political and socio-economic intelligence information.

Exceptional team leader and born motivator with proven expertise in devising and implementing strategies, directing multiple multidisciplinary project teams, administering trusted legal aid provision, and addressing problems related to global, infrastructural and cyber security, finance, biotech, and other regulated areas. 

CEO and owner                                                                                                                                                  March 2016 – present

SERGAN MANAGEMENT Sárl, Geneva, Switzerland

Plans and provides strategic advice for worldwide business development, acquisition, and establishment of partnerships to drive growth.

Key Contributions:

• Devised and perfected business practices to manage projects and corporate concerns, in pharma, fintech, travel, real estate, and other industries.
• Manages specific high complexity multi-faceted and multi-disciplinary projects with several Single family offices, corporations and individuals, especially company valuations, financial and scientific due diligence, and fund raising.
• Offers a full spectrum of multi-family office services.
• Among others, designed the concept and developed the strategy of a multiuse hospitality and residential real estate project over approximately 200 ha.

CEO and owner                                                                                                                                                  May 2013 – January 2016

AVD (Sárl VAKULA DAUTREBANDE), Monaco

Offered a broad range of multi-family office services, devised business development strategies, and corporate objectives for select high net-worth clients on the Forbes Global List.

• Created several Family Offices and operational companies in Monaco (SAM), designed their corporate strategies.
• Designed the concept of a hospitality and residential real estate compound in central Mediterranean, including use of territory and stepwise development strategy.

CEO                                                                                                                                                                           May 2004 – April 2013

Single Family Office of Russian Forbes UHNWI (more than USD 7 billion net worth), Geneva, Switzerland

Provided strategic direction to all aspects of business globally. Defined tactical plans and strategic objectives to meet the current and future needs of family office. Identified new business opportunities by understanding and anticipating global trends, and being in line with requirements of the beneficial owner.

Key Contributions:

• Established from scratch the single-family office and managed effectively all the services and operations with over 100 employees.
• Delivered trusted strategic advice to accomplish most efficient management of resources and personnel to reach pre-set objectives.
• Implemented projects of direct owner interest with a budget of over USD 1 bln, from conceptual and strategic planning to building, renovation and management of at least 7 real estate locations in several countries worldwide.

Biotech and Pharma Investments                                                                                                                                                                

COO, Chairman of the Board, Member of the Board                                                          May 2004 – April 2015

Tilocor International SA, Luxembourg and Geneva, Switzerland 

Ribovax Biotechnologies SA, Geneva, Switzerland 

Xigen SA, Lausanne, Switzerland 

Calmune, San Diego (CA), USA 

Therasis, New York, USA

Key Contributions:

• Controlled and managed portfolio of direct investments with budget of more than USD 120M.
• Coordinated all activities of biopharma companies by efficiently monitoring and administering all functions.
• Ensured cross-company interaction and exchange of ideas, along with streamlining the entirety of operations.
• Analysed a multitude of investment proposals and performed due diligence on some select companies.

Additional Experience

• Executive high-level positions – Russia/US partnership Private Equity and VC companies, Moscow, Oct 2000 – Apr 2004
• Top-management & Research positions – academic institution and several local high-tech companies, Italy, Oct 1991 to Oct 2000

EDUCATION

PhD in chemical enzymology, full votes. Division of Chemical Enzymology, Department of Chemistry, Moscow State University – Russia. 1991.

MSc in chemistry, full votes. Department of Chemistry, Moscow State University – Russia. 1988.

Higher secondary, secondary and elementary education with extended English studies, Moscow