Modern IT companies are increasingly investing in works of art. For example, the offices of such tech giants as Microsoft or Andreessen Horowitz have almost turned into art galleries. Ruslan Tymofieiev (Ruslan Tymofeev), the founder of the venture fund Adventures Lab, is an adherent of this trend. The businessman has several incredibly successful projects, including Reface, SALO, and Streamhero, under his belt.

Tymofieiev collects not only works of famous foreign artists. There are a lot of paintings by artists from Ukraine in the office of his company. At the same time, the businessman regularly organizes exhibitions and art events, thereby popularizing Ukrainian culture throughout the world. For example, one of these exhibitions opened at the Zimmerli Art Museum in New Jersey in early November. It is dedicated to the development of contemporary art in Ukraine in the era of perestroika (“restructuring”) and at the first stages of the state’s independence.

Art objects as social capital

Investing in art was popular among large-business owners even back in the 20th century. They invested in something that will never lose its value. For example, Steve Cohen, a famous trader from the United States has paintings by Picasso and Andy Warhol in his collection.

Now, when the IT industry is at its peak and is one of the most profitable, its representatives have also begun to invest intensively in works of art.

For example, Paul Allen, Microsoft co-founder, owned more than 300 works of art and spent more than $100 million on creating such a collection. And in the office of Marc Andreessen, founder of Andreessen Horowitz, the masterpieces of Robert Rauschenberg, the legendary representative of Pop Art, were exhibited. In his day, the businessman got advice from Michael Ovitz, the most respected talent manager in Hollywood, to regularly replenish the office collection with books, paintings, and glassware, as they increase the confidence of the customers and partners in the company. Works of art can even facilitate making a deal. Therefore, Ruslan Tymofieiev (Ruslan Tymofeev) believes that paintings, like any other work of art in principle, are social capital, and it is necessary to invest in them.

When an office is on a par with galleries

International research suggests that employees are more willing to work in offices with paintings hanging on the walls. They feel comfortable and even develop a special attitude towards the place they work at.

Adventures Lab also has an office collection. Today, it includes the works of Viсtor Sidorenko, a famous Ukrainian artist. The paintings from the series Ultra C depict athletes, helping office employees focus on challenging tasks, find motivation, and move forward. But in the café area, according to the venture fund founder, there are funky pop-art paintings that help employees to relax.

Ruslan Tymofieiev is guided by the Giving While Living principle that is now popular all over the world. He believes that it is better to invest in viable initiatives, including art, rather than mindlessly hoarding money without using it until you are old and gray.

The businessman invests not only in the paintings of recognized masters but also in the works of novice artists. According to him, such investments are similar to funding startups. Any investor is happy to see how a startup/work of art increases its capitalization. The founder of Adventures Lab calls this approach a combination of pragmatics and aesthetics.

In addition, Ruslan Tymofieiev (Ruslan Tymofeev) notes that the work of Ukrainian artists in the offices of an IT company helps to enhance the status of Ukrainian art in the international arena. Foreign partners will see them, become interested in them, and thereby increase their capitalization and significance