Russian businessman Alexander Samonov is reported to be establishing an investment in data centres. Mr Samonov is the former shareholder in Kopeika, a retail chain he and his business partners founded in 2007 and sold part of to Uralsib, personally realizing some USD 300-390m from the sale. He plans to launch an investment fund over the next six months which will finance the construction of data centres in Russia (reported in Kommersant daily). The investment fund will be around USD 100m, with loan financing for a further USD 100m. Other partners in the project include Alexander Vais and a subsidiary of ISG is also reported to be in discussions.