Results of the Caucasus Investment Forum 2026: students of KBSU won prizes and presented breakthrough projects

The Institute of Law, Economics and Finance of Kabardino-Balkarian State University named after Kh.M. Berbekov summed up the participation of the university delegation in the Caucasian Investment Forum — 2026 (CIF). The round table brought together mentors, curators of the strategic project «Personnel for International Entrepreneurship and the Export of Education» and the heroes themselves — students who loudly announced Kabardino-Balkaria on the main economic platform of the South of Russia.

The forum, held in Mineralnye Vody from April 28 to 30, 2026 under the auspices of the Roscongress Foundation, acted as a significant federal platform where the institute was able to present its developments in the field of integration of education, science and business to the general professional community. The key theme of the youth day was the transformation of the region’s entrepreneurial environment, and work was carried out on the tracks «From Idea to Project» and «From Project to Scaling.»

IPEiF Director Elena Mashukova emphasized the strategic role of such events in the formation of export competencies for young people.

«By participating in the KIF, you become ambassadors of the university at the federal level. Our team has shown the highest level of preparation and readiness for real challenges. KBSU is proud of you and will continue to strengthen the support system so that your initiative receives resources for growth,» said Elena Mashukova.
According to the results of the KIF 2026 business program, students of the institute won prizes at several competitive sites at once.

1st place — «Biz.Quiz: Territory of Ideas»

KBSU economics students left no chance for rivals in the team event of the main plenary session. The winner’s cup and diplomas were received by: Tembolat Mishkhozhev, Alina Kerimova, Saida Dotkulova, Inal Shibzukhov, Astemir Mirzoev, Astemir Gukov, Alisa Shibzukhova, Oleg Sizhazhev. Zalina Dzhappueva brilliantly performed in the individual competition.

2nd place — «Green Economy»

The EcoKavkaz AgroHub project of the Mountain Gradient team took silver on the Laboratory of the Future North Caucasus Federal District track. The idea of creating a network of modular hubs for marketing the products of small farmers of the CBD was highly appreciated by experts. Consisting of: Astemir Mirzoev, Astemir Gukov, Kantemir Kilov, Alina Bauaeva, Camilla Uzdenova, Oleg Sizhazhev.

3rd place — IT for culture

The interdisciplinary team «Heritage Laboratory» took third place in the startup competition «Growth Point of the Caucasus» with the project «Code of the Caucasus. Living history» (promotion of cultural heritage through IT). Authors — Inal Shibzukhov and Alisa Shibzukhova.

Finalists of the competition:

The In Suuu project (integration of CBD reservoirs into tourism) is the Miller team: Madina Kardanova, Jamilya Gekkieva, Inna Zakuraeva.

Individual project «Ethno-village and ecotourism» — Tembolat Mishkhozhev.

«It is important for us that students can show their projects on such a large platform,» said Emma Abanokova, senior lecturer at the Department of Economics and Accounting and Analytical Information Systems. — Here their work is seen by experts, government officials and scientists, give federal feedback. The guys did an excellent job: they not only presented the institute, but also proved that they know how to turn theory into real business ideas. It’s nice that the jury noted the depth of study, the quality of research and the confident presentations of our teams.»
All forum participants are invited to study at the Center for Systems Analysis and Forecasting under the guidance of a member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Professor Georgy Kleiner. The finalist teams received special prizes from IPEiF: publication in the collection of the Southern Academic Forum (YUAF 2026) and a place in the working group of the accelerator of the strategic project «Personnel for International Entrepreneurship and the Export of Education.»