Igor Bukhman co-founded Playrix with his younger brother Dmitri after learning to code while studying applied mathematics, helping build a bootstrapped games business into a global mobile publisher. [1][2]
Coding and shareware created the first operating base
Forbes reports that Igor began coding in 2001 while studying applied mathematics after learning there was money to be made writing shareware. He then recruited Dmitri, who was still in high school, to build games and screen savers with him. [1]
The brothers came from a household that struggled financially and initially worked on a computer given to them by their grandfather. Early software revenue funded another computer and increased their ability to produce and sell more software. [1]
They formally created Playrix in 2004. The company then progressed from PC puzzle games to Facebook titles and finally to free-to-play mobile games, which became the core of its later economics. [1][2]
Retained ownership captured the value of global mobile expansion
Forbes says Igor and Dmitri together retained 96% of Playrix as the company expanded internationally and reached billions of dollars in annual revenue. The business also grew through acquisitions of independent game studios. [1]
Igor's billionaire wealth is therefore tied to founder ownership and long-term operating growth rather than inherited capital. The record shows real financial constraint at the start, but not enough evidence of severe disadvantage to move cleanly to the highest score. [1]
Sources for background
Sources reviewed Sep 25, 2026.
- This Russia-Born Billionaire Owns One Of The World's Largest Game Developers · Forbes · Mar 31, 2022
- Press Kit · Playrix
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