Oleg Boiko on Strategic Thinking in Unstable Economic Conditions

Oleg Boiko is one of the most prominent and multifaceted figures in the international investment community. He is the founder and principal investor of Finstar Financial Group, a diversified international group of companies focused on financial services, with deep expertise in mergers and acquisitions as well as private equity investments.

In recent years, Boiko has concentrated primarily on fintech investments, driven by a vision to build a global leader in technology-based, data-driven alternative finance— particularly aimed at serving the unbanked and those underserved by traditional financial institutions.

But Oleg Boiko is more than just numbers and deals. He approaches business with a philosophical mindset, viewing crises as opportunities for growth and instability as a natural part of the entrepreneurial landscape.

“Any business is about taking risks; hence, the ability to handle them should be innate to an entrepreneur. Businessmen must be able to deal with risk all the time. Importantly, failure should not be viewed as a setback but as a stepping stone to future growth,” he reflects.

In his recent column, “7 Rules for Doing Business in Turbulent Times,” Oleg Boiko shares his insights on how entrepreneurs can not only survive during periods of uncertainty but emerge stronger. His advice is a distillation of experience—where strategic thinking intersects with a deep understanding of human nature and the dynamics of crises.

The Road to Business

After earning a technical education, Oleg Boiko developed an early interest in investments and information technology. More than 30 years ago, he became one of the key players in the financial market. 

In 1996 he founded Finstar Financial Group, which today is a global investment company with approximately USD 2 billion in assets under management, operating across Europe, Asia and  Latin America. While its current core is in fintech, Finstar has a strong track record of success in financial services, real estate development, FMCG retail, and entertainment.

Boiko is a strong advocate of the so-called “blue ocean strategy”—the pursuit of uncontested market spaces where competition is minimal.

“As a child, I wanted to become an oceanologist and learn the mysteries of the deep blue ocean. When still a preschooler, I learned to clearly pronounce oceanologist. I believe that my aspiration translated into business, and this led to my holistic strategy about blue oceans. In other words, it's all about niches with little competition,” he says, underscoring the value of unconventional thinking.

The Philosophy of Entrepreneurship

At the core of Oleg Boiko’s business philosophy is the embrace of risk as the entrepreneur’s natural environment.

“This is the basics of entrepreneurship — it is where the path of a businessman begins. Any business is about taking risks; hence, the ability to handle them should be innate to an entrepreneur. Businessmen must be able to deal with risk all the time. Importantly, failure should not be viewed as a setback but as a stepping stone to future growth,” he asserts.

His key principles include:

• Be able to take risks: Business demands courage, but also common sense—risks must be calculated.

• Creativity: Out-of-the-box thinking is not a luxury, but a necessity.

• Enjoy what you are doing: Loving what you do is the primary source of motivation.

• Pick the right team: Emotional intelligence, energy, values, and expertise are the four pillars of successful hiring.

• Be ready for a crisis at any time: Always prepare for the worst, while hoping for the best.

• Set long-term goals: Boiko emphasizes the importance of strategic planning 10 years ahead or more.

• Save clients' time: In business, the winner is the one who makes clients’ lives easier and faster.

“Whoever saves the customer's time will make money,” he highlights—particularly in the context of his fintech ventures.

Personal Philosophy and Impact

Oleg Boiko has faced not only economic challenges but personal ones as well. In his youth, he suffered an injury that left him disabled. However, he has never dwelled on it, believing that there are no limits for those driven by purpose.

He is also deeply involved in philanthropy, notably by supporting sports events for people with disabilities.