Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Peoples'Friendship University of Russia
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Polina Ryzhakova, a Master's student at the RUDN University Graduate School of Management, participated in the RUDN.VC accelerator with her project for an interactive gastronomic map of the Vladimir region. It will feature the region's unique dishes, local products, and the stories behind their origins.
Where to find authentic cuisine
The idea for the project was born from concrete data. Market analysis showed that travelers spend 37% of their budget on food, and 36% of Russians travel within the country specifically for the local food. However, in the Vladimir region, as in many other regions, there is no single platform where one can find trusted dining spots offering authentic cuisine.
"Tourists are faced with chaos: it's unclear where to try authentic Vladimir dishes, what they look like, and how much they cost. Locals are often unaware of their own region's culinary gems. And the establishments themselves and the authorities are unable to effectively promote this unique culinary heritage," says Polina Ryzhakova.
Therefore, the graduate student began working on an interactive map, "Along the Vladimir Land." Its users will be able to:
Find cafes and restaurants by filtering by city, dish type, and unique recipe; see detailed descriptions, photos, and the origin story of each dish; and rely on real customer reviews and ratings.
For businesses and governments, the platform will become a tool for promoting and analyzing tourism demand.
The project's development strategy has been conceived until 2028 and is divided into several stages.
Minimum viable product (by July 2026): launch a working map with basic functionality. Growth and monetization (2026): adding premium profiles for establishments, paid personalized food routes, and an events calendar. Scaling (2027–2028): integration with booking services, expansion into neighboring regions, and development of a mobile app. The expected economic impact of the platform's implementation is an increase in the average length of tourist stay in the region to 2.5 days and a 15% increase in the average bill at local establishments.
The map is also expected to increase interest in cafes and restaurants among residents of the region, allowing them to attract up to 25% of new visitors per year.
Approved by tourists
The project has already undergone extensive preparation at the RUDN.VC accelerator. A problem-solving study was conducted, confirming the demand for such a service: 78% of tourists surveyed expressed interest in using an interactive gastronomic map. A website prototype and a detailed implementation plan have also been developed.
"I listened to a number of interesting speakers at the accelerator and took some ideas into consideration—there was truly a lot of important and useful information. During the project pitching, I discovered a new way to promote my startup (for which I thank the speaker). Special thanks to my mentor, Yulia Vorokhob, who helped me with everything, inspired new ideas, assisted with market and competitor analysis, and was always supportive. I'm glad that my favorite university has such a wonderful project that gives future entrepreneurs the opportunity to realize their ideas. This is my first startup and my first experience with an accelerator, and I can confidently say that RUDN.VC is absolutely amazing!" — Polina Ryzhakova.
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