Four Nizhny Novgorod brands became laureates in various categories of the "Know Ours" competition.

      Photo: Sergey Otroshko, Roscongress

      Four Nizhny Novgorod brands became laureates of various categories in the federal contest "Know Our" organized by the Agency for Strategic Initiatives (ASI), the Roscongress Foundation, and VEB.RF. Additionally, the Nizhny Novgorod region was recognized among the regions most actively supporting its brands. The award ceremony took place on July 17 in Moscow. In 2025, a record-breaking 14,200 applications were submitted to the competition. The winners were congratulated by Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration of Russia Maxim Oreshkin. "The contest was created to promote Russian brands so that they become competitive and popular. This way, we strengthen national identity — now we see that in every industry there are worthy domestic products," he said. Governor of the Nizhny Novgorod region Gleb Nikitin noted that the region has a huge number of brands truly worthy of being recognized across the country and abroad. "This year, our region was one of the most active in the ‘Know Our’ contest. Nizhny Novgorod companies presented 857 brands, each interesting and unique in its own way. Congratulations to the winners! Thanks to the organizers for the opportunity to introduce the whole country to high-quality Nizhny Novgorod products and for recognizing our work. We will continue supporting our producers," emphasized the governor. One of the main categories of the contest, "Food Products," was won by the brand Coolbrew, which produces coffee drinks in Nizhny Novgorod. In the special nomination from the Russian Export Center, "Export Potential," the brand Ulanik — which produces wooden toys in the Vesnenskoye settlement — was among the laureates. The partner of the contest in the "Products" subcategory, the Company Cooper, noted the Nizhny Novgorod brand North Valley, which produces milk and dairy products. The Simple Group also highlighted the Nizhny Novgorod gin Grey Shine in the "Beverages" category. "We are proud of this achievement and thank the entire team for their contribution to the success of the North Valley brand, as well as the regional authorities for their support. This confirms our work at a high level, and I am confident that winning in this contest category will help more Russians discover our products," said Alexander Malikov, General Director of the agri-food holding Russlacto. ASI General Director Svetlana Chuprsheva expressed her gratitude to the partners and participants. "Before the plenary session of the forum 'Strong Ideas for the New Time,' we visited the 'Know Our' brand exhibition with the head of state: entrepreneurs shared their family businesses and new projects — we will certainly support them. Today, there is an unprecedented rise in interest and, most importantly, trust in products made in Russia, from our raw materials, infused with our incredibly diverse cultural code. It is gratifying to see how Russian business and its new heroes — growing brands — are evolving and transforming," she summarized. In total, 105 brands from 41 regions of the country were recognized as the best in the main, partner, and special categories of the "Know Our" Russian growing brands competition. Winners will be assisted in promoting on major online platforms and in retail networks, receiving advertising campaigns from leading outdoor advertising operators, access to educational programs, business expertise, free participation in major business events, and additional support, including membership in industry-specific business associations, participation in key sector events, grant assistance, and support for scaling and entering international markets. The "Know Our" Russian growing brands competition was held for the third time and revealed thousands of active Russian entrepreneurs creating domestic products and entering foreign markets. Over 50 government and commercial organizations supported it as partners.