May 26 — Entrepreneurship Day: history and traditions of the holiday

Russian Entrepreneurship Day is celebrated in Russia on May 26. The holiday is held annually and is of great importance for representatives of small and medium-sized businesses. In 2025, a significant date falls on a Monday. Read about the history and traditions of professional celebrations in the Izvestia article.

Russian Entrepreneurship Day in 2025: date, history of the holiday

According to the Ministry of Economic Development, the number of entrepreneurs in Russia has peaked in the last eight years. Today, there are over 6.35 million individual entrepreneurs and legal entities operating in the country. In total, more than 15 million people work in micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. About 9 million more Russians are registered as self-employed.

These figures show that the business has successfully survived the pandemic, sanctions restrictions and continues to grow. Such indicators were achieved through government support measures and the national project "Small and Medium-sized Entrepreneurship and Support for Individual Entrepreneurial Initiative" adopted in 2019.

Currently, many training programs, tax benefits and preferential loans are available to businesses, as well as additional support against the background of Western sanctions.

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The appearance of the Russian Entrepreneurship Day was also of great importance for business development in Russia. The holiday was established by presidential decree on October 18, 2007, following the adoption of the federal law on the development of small and medium-sized businesses.

Its purpose is to draw attention to business problems, raise the status of manufacturers of goods and services, and highlight their important role in the country's economy. The celebration was fixed with an eternal date — May 26.

Russian Entrepreneurship Day – 2025: traditions

Entrepreneurship means new jobs, budget revenues, innovations and improving the quality of life of the population. Therefore, it is quite natural that entrepreneurs have been honored at the national level.

Every year, conferences, seminars, forums, exhibitions and round tables are timed to coincide with the holiday, where small and medium-sized businesses are discussed, opinions are exchanged and new ideas are shared.

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A large-scale event is organized every year in the capital. The Moscow Entrepreneurship Week is taking place here, bringing together thousands of talented entrepreneurs, experts and investors. During the event, participants can communicate directly with top managers of large companies, successful businessmen and make themselves known by presenting their projects and products. Traditionally, the event is covered in leading business media.

On this day, entrepreneurs receive congratulations from government representatives, partners, colleagues and loved ones. On a professional holiday, you can wish for the embodiment of the most daring ideas, growing profits, profitable deals, prosperity and continued good luck in all your endeavors.

Earlier, Izvestia told about another professional holiday, Personnel Officer's Day, and how it is celebrated in Russia.