# Higgsfield Co-founder Alexander Mashrabov Gains Kazakh Citizenship The AI entrepreneur renounces Russian citizenship following his startup's significant valuation growth. - **Source:** [Meduza English](https://meduza.io/en) - **Published:** 2026-11-06 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/c6d8f2c6-bdf1-4740-8b35-73048af4b6f8 ## Official Citizenship Grant Alexander Mashrabov, co-founder of the U.S.-based AI video startup Higgsfield, has officially received Kazakh citizenship. Zhaslan Madiyev, the Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development, confirmed the news on Facebook. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed the formal decree on October 30, marking a significant shift in the entrepreneur's legal status and national affiliation. ## Renouncing Russian Ties Because Kazakhstan strictly prohibits dual citizenship, Mashrabov has initiated the process to renounce his Russian citizenship. A company spokesperson confirmed this legal transition, noting that Mashrabov has resided in the United States for several years. His LinkedIn profile currently identifies Los Angeles as his primary home, reflecting his ongoing international professional commitments. ## Rapid Startup Growth Higgsfield has experienced explosive financial growth, reaching an annual revenue of $700 million by August 2026. This represents a massive increase from the $20 million reported just one year prior. The company, which specializes in AI-generated video content, currently serves over 40 million users across various global markets and social platforms. ## High Market Valuation The startup achieved a valuation of $5.4 billion in 2026 after successfully raising $400 million in funding. Key investors in this round included major institutions such as Intel, Goldman Sachs, DST Global, and Liberty Global. These figures highlight the intense market demand for AI-driven creative tools tailored for modern digital advertising. ## Entrepreneurial Background Mashrabov, a graduate of the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, previously worked at Yandex during his student years. In 2018, he co-founded AI Factory, a venture focused on animating human faces. Snap Inc. acquired that startup for $166 million in 2020, leading Mashrabov to join the U.S. tech giant's internal team. ## Billionaire Status Implications Forbes Russia had planned to include Mashrabov on its billionaire list, estimating he holds a 20% stake in Higgsfield. This potential wealth status underscores his rapid ascent within the global technology sector. His transition to Kazakh citizenship aligns him with other prominent business figures who have renounced their Russian nationality recently. ## Broader Industry Trends Several high-profile business leaders have renounced Russian citizenship since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began. Notable individuals include Yuri Milner, Oleg Tinkov, Nikolay Storonsky, and Arkady Volozh. These departures reflect a wider trend of tech entrepreneurs distancing themselves from Russia while seeking new jurisdictions to support their global business operations. ## Strategic Regional Impact Kazakhstan views Mashrabov’s move as a boost to its domestic artificial intelligence industry. Minister Madiyev publicly thanked the Higgsfield team for their contributions to the nation’s technological development. This development signals Kazakhstan's ongoing efforts to attract international tech talent and integrate its economy into the global AI innovation ecosystem. ## Sources covering this story - https://meduza.io/en/news/2026/11/06/alexander-mashrabov-co-founder-of-the-us-based-ai-video-startup-higgsfield-receives-kazakh-citizenship-and-applies-to-renounce-russian-citizenship — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._