[1] In 1994, he co-founded Prodcontract,[2] supplying scrap metal to Russia's biggest metallurgical plants.

[citation needed] In 2000, he became co-founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors of MDM Industrial Group.

Such large businesses as OAO TMK[3] (one of the leading producers of oil and gas pipelines in the world), SUEK[4] (the largest coal energy company in Russia), and Eurochem (one of the world's leading mineral fertiliser producers)[5] were established.

In 2010, Popov founded a private fund called Agat, which has a mentoring program that offers young businesspeople startup capital.

[1] As per Forbes, his net worth was estimated at $3.1B in 2022, making him the 984th richest person in the world.