Belarusian Startup Founders Face Exile and Statelessness: The Story of Imaguru’s Battle for Innovation and Freedom
Searching for what happened to Belarusian startup founders, or why Imaguru became a symbol of resistance? The journey of Belarus’s tech pioneers turned “extremists” answers these pressing questions. Tatyana Marynich and Anastasiya Khamiankova, co-founders of the startup hub Imaguru, have been sentenced in absentia to a combined 23 years in prison by Belarusian authorities. Their crime: empowering entrepreneurship in a country where innovation threatened an authoritarian regime. Now exiled and stateless, their story reflects the high price of independence in today's Belarus—and the global tech community's urgent support for human rights and innovation.
A Decade of Innovation Crushed by Political Repression
Launched in 2013 in Minsk, Imaguru quickly became the beating heart of Belarus’s emerging startup scene. Over the years, this co-working space and accelerator helped nurture over 300 startups, generating more than $100 million in funding. Iconic successes such as MSQRD (acquired by Facebook), Friendlydata (bought by ServiceNow), and Prisma (reportedly acquired by Snapchat) all trace their early roots back to Imaguru's groundbreaking hackathons.
Imaguru wasn’t just a startup hub; it was a movement. "They were the main focal point of the venture community in Belarus," recalls Max Gurvits, General Partner at Vitosha Venture Partners. Similarly, Marvin Liao of Diaspora.vc emphasized that Imaguru united aspiring tech entrepreneurs and seasoned investors alike, creating a vital ecosystem that transcended business—it symbolized hope for a new, democratic Belarus.
Political Retaliation: When Entrepreneurship Becomes a Crime
Imaguru’s growing influence was increasingly seen as a threat by President Alexander Lukashenko’s authoritarian regime. The 2020 Belarusian elections—widely regarded as fraudulent—sparked mass protests. Seizing the moment, Imaguru opened its doors to civil society groups and opposition figures. Tatyana Marynich even joined the Coordination Council, a body advocating for free elections.
This act of defiance crossed an invisible line. The Lukashenko government retaliated swiftly: by 2021, Imaguru’s lease was canceled under government pressure, masked officers raided the premises, and the startup hub was branded an “extremist formation.” Former staff faced arrests and interrogations. Communications with Imaguru became criminalized in Belarus, as the regime deepened its crackdown on freedom of thought and economic independence.
Statelessness and Exile: The New Reality for Innovators
On December 2, 2024, Belarusian courts handed down severe prison sentences against Marynich and Khamiankova. That same day, Marynich’s Belarusian passport expired. Due to a 2023 executive order, embassies refused to renew passports for citizens living abroad. Trapped in Spain, Marynich found herself stateless, unable to apply for citizenship, open a bank account, or even leave the country.
“I’m a stateless person,” Marynich told TechCrunch. Despite holding a European residence permit, the lack of a valid passport severely limits her freedom. This personal tragedy underscores a chilling reality: Belarusian dissidents are systematically stripped of their nationality to suppress political dissent.
Imaguru’s New Chapter: Fighting for Entrepreneurship as a Human Right
Even amid adversity, the spirit of Imaguru lives on. Now operating hubs in Warsaw and Madrid with support from European institutions, the team continues to champion entrepreneurship and democratic values. They have also launched a global campaign advocating for entrepreneurship to be recognized as a basic human right.
“They really love their country,” says Liao, reflecting on the founders’ enduring commitment. Tragically, returning to Belarus is no longer an option. Yet, their determination to create a future where innovation thrives remains unshaken.
A Global Test of Democratic Values
While Imaguru has found some institutional support in Poland and Lithuania, the Spanish government's response has been notably slow. Appeals to María González Veracruz, Spain’s Secretary of State for Digitization and Artificial Intelligence, remain unanswered.
“This is clearly a political crackdown,” said Liao. Observers argue that democratic nations have a responsibility to support exiled innovators facing authoritarian repression. As Gurvits puts it, "This isn’t just about two founders—it’s about an entire exiled community that once believed in freedom and innovation."
A Legacy of Courage and Vision
Despite facing unimaginable challenges, Marynich and Khamiankova refuse to give up. “We built something beautiful," said Marynich. "Now we’re fighting for the right to exist. And we’re not giving up.”
Their story is not only a powerful testament to the enduring power of entrepreneurship and innovation—but also a stark reminder of the fragile state of freedom around the world. As Imaguru continues to grow its presence abroad, it carries forward a message that even authoritarian regimes cannot silence: free thinkers and entrepreneurs are the architects of a better future.
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