In 1994, he co-founded Prodcontract, supplying scrap metal to Russia's biggest metallurgical plants. In 1996, he co-founded MDM Business Concern. In 2000, he became co-founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors of MDM Industrial Group. (one of the leading producers of oil and gas pipelines in the world), SUEK (the largest coal energy company in Russia), and
Eurochem (one of the world's leading mineral fertiliser producers) were established. During this period, in 2003, Popov became a 50% partner in
MDM Bank. In 2006, Popov sold the first of his business assets. In 2016, exited his remaining active investments with the sale of his stake in MDM Bank to
B & N Bank. Popov is a founder member of the
Moscow School of Management, Skolkovo. In 2010, Popov founded a private fund called Agat, which has a mentoring program that offers young businesspeople startup capital. == Net worth ==