NashStore: launching a Russian Android app store under external restrictions
In the spring of 2022 Russian users and developers ran into restrictions from foreign app stores. NashStore launched as a Russian Android store and an infrastructure alternative for distributing domestic software.
- Period
- 2022
- Area
- Platforms
- Results
- The store launched on 16 May 2022 with around a thousand apps in the initial catalogue and a team of twelve.
In preparation: the wording of the personal role and the metrics are being verified
Context and task
The removal of Russian apps and payment restrictions threatened developers’ distribution channel. A working product had to be built quickly, apps had to be attracted and user trust had to be established.
On 30 March 2022 RBC reported on the project’s preparation and the stated interest of more than 700 developers, with a launch planned for May.
Arseniy’s role
CEO of Digital Platforms ANO, the company developing the marketplace. Personal responsibility for specific decisions and the period of hands-on involvement are being verified before publication.
Results
Only figures confirmed by external sources on a specific date are published:
- launch on 16 May 2022;
- around 1,000 apps in the initial catalogue;
- a team of twelve at launch;
- technical failures and a DDoS attack in the first days;
- by June 2022 foreign apps began appearing in the catalogue.
Registered users, installs, listed apps and active users are never merged: each metric is published separately with its method of calculation.
Being verified before publication
- How the launch decision was made and who was on the initial team
- How the minimum product core was defined
- How developers and partners were attracted
- Which risks turned out to be underestimated
- Which figures can be published and as of what date
- How Arseniy’s role and the project’s status have changed