Encouraging innovation and accelerating growth where technology, finance and critical infrastructure converge.
Who we are
IJS Investments is a private equity company based in Chicago, Illinois.
Sustainable, transformative advancements.
Founded by global investor and entrepreneur Konstantin Sokolov, the company is dedicated to seeking out opportunities where our team can leverage their expertise to deliver results, fostering businesses which can positively impact societies.
We look for opportunities where our investments can have a transformational effect, adding value to both the companies and nations where we operate. Our goal is to help build the 21st century infrastructure that will enable a more resilient, connected and economically sustainable world.
Konstantin Sokolov
Founder of IJS Investments
Our philosophy is rooted in the belief that private investments can go beyond financial return and build the systems that will carry society forward for the next hundred years.
With a focus on identifying high-potential ventures, we seek to build long-term relationships with our partners, providing value through strategic guidance and funding for growth. We aim to support them to realize their full potential, contributing to the development of resilient, efficient and future ready economies.
Our Investment Philosophy
Our Focus Areas
Critical Infrastructure
Critical infrastructure is the backbone of modern society and the built environment, encompassing humanity’s essential systems. These systems, which power our homes, facilitate the movement of goods and people, ensure the safety and wellbeing of citizens and support economic stability are vital for the prosperity of nations.
However, much of today’s infrastructure is now outdated, inefficient, or vulnerable. This includes a significant proportion of ‘hard’ infrastructure, such as telecommunications and energy networks, which face challenges due to dating assets and increasing demands on networks. Many of these networks reaching the end of their lifespan are not capable of meeting modern requirements, such as transmitting the amount of power or information required for advanced artificial intelligence systems.
‘Soft’ infrastructure, such as financial services, also requires continual updates and improvements to ensure businesses keep up with customer expectations, remain compliant with evolving regulations, and are not vulnerable to more advanced cybersecurity threats.
Critical infrastructure can therefore have a transformational impact on society, providing the foundations on which innovations that drive society forwards are built, alongside creating jobs and improving living standards. Private equity and capital investment play a pivotal role in this development, by providing the necessary funding and expertise to build and upgrade these systems, whilst providing stable and positive returns for shareholders over the long term.
Subdivisions
Telecommunications
Data has now become a fundamental part of day-to-day life, for both ordinary people and every industry. This demand for information and connectivity will continue to grow exponentially, driven by the proliferation of smartphones, the expansion of internet services, and the advent of technologies like 5G and the Internet of Things (IoT).
The telecommunications sector already enjoys several attributes that make it an attractive sector for investment, such as the constant demand for services ensuring a steady revenue stream, its integration to society making the sector more resilient to economic fluctuations. Yet, this prospect of exponential growth further increases the potential for high returns on investment, whilst benefitting society though furthering the advancement of global connectivity, raising living standards and improving productivity.
Energy
The global energy sector faces a dual challenge; how to meet the rise in demands for energy, whilst doing so through the development of carbon-neutral technologies.
The increase in the global demand for energy in 2024 was almost double the average of the last decade. This was led by a surge in global electricity consumption, driven by boosted demand for cooling infrastructure and modern technologies such as electric vehicles and the expansion of data centers.
With the clear need for increased energy capacity, investment in the energy sector is imperative to meet demand and therefore presents a compelling opportunity for investors seeking stable returns. Furthermore, as nations shift towards carbon-neutral sources to meet this new demand, advancements in technology such as energy storage and smart grids open additional avenues for innovation and long-term profitability. Renewables accounted for the largest share of growth in global energy supply in 2024, with investment playing a critical role in supporting societies to transition to a greener economy.
Financial Services
Financial services have become indispensable in the modern world, underpinning economic growth and societal development, through ensuring the efficient allocation of resources, providing access to capital, and offering essential services such as payments, savings, and insurance.
New technologies are revolutionizing the sector, innovations such as mobile banking apps, peer-to-peer lending platforms, and digital wallets providing much greater ease of use to those who previously haven’t had access to finance.
This revolution in access is helping modern society to thrive, fostering entrepreneurship and reducing inequality. It also opens new markets and opportunities, providing significant growth potential for investors. By supporting the development of a robust and innovative financial sector, investments contribute to a more resilient and prosperous society.