Manufacturer of drone, autonomous robotics, and construction mecha
Headquarters: Vladivostok, Russia
Regional Offices: London, Paris, Tel Aviv, Mumbai, Singapore, Night City
Chief Officer: Artyom Sokolov
Employees: 225,000
Background
In the wake of the 4th Corporate War, the Neo-Soviet Union was weakened by antiquated technology and an unstable economy based almost entirely on fossil fuels. The major economic power of the nation, SovOil, had managed to make a killing in the last Corporate War but everyone was painfully aware that sooner or later the oil would run out or CHOOH2 would finally make fossil fuels obsolete and the Neo-Soviet economy would come crashing down. Where many other countries used technology to aid in their recovery and shore up their economies, Russia's ability to compete in the international tech market was still extremely limited. Russia's few technical exports weren't going far and were largely recognized by the rest of the world as poor-quality garbage.
This changed in 2039, when a street tech from Moscow brought the GRAF3 to the market. This new construction robot entered the market at a reasonable price point and proved itself to be durable and easily repairable. But most importantly, the GRAF3 was perfect for cleaning up the remaining destruction of the War. It was cheap enough to be bought by local governments in bulk, and small communities could buy one and be sure it would last them years. In the chaotic post-War atmosphere, there weren't many people who questioned how Zhirafa got founded or how it spread its influence so far across Russia so quickly after developing their first project. Officially, Zhirafa was founded by its CEO, Artyom Sokolov, with a few of his Edgerunner friends and a healthy savings built on mercenary work during the War, but rumors persist that the meteoric rise of Zhirafa can be attributed to the activity of the Bratva criminal syndicate and their groups of allied Russian Nomads.
After breaking into the market with the giraffe-like GRAF3, the Corporation went on to rocket Russian tech to new heights with the release of several lines of drones and robots built for variable tasks. Besides the GRAF Line, the most notable and ubiquitous development of Zhirafa is the Savanna Line, a line of aerial and terrestrial combat drones for use by security and law enforcement. By the year 2045, many governments and Corporations across the world use Savanna Eagle and Savanna Panther Drones for security and law enforcement.
Face: Artyom Sokolov
The Founder and CEO of Zhirafa is an ex-Edgerunner named Artyom Sokolov. Zhirafa is quick to mention that Artyom is a self-made man who grew up in a grubby arcology in the heart of the Neo-Soviet Union and his mission statement is to spread affordable technology to the masses and push technological development forward no matter what. They're less upfront about his history on The Street, focusing on his most daring exploits and omitting his time spent as a Corporate soldier protecting SovOil assets in Africa, and the messy nature of his defection.
Artyom is a volatile, charismatic figure who maintains a relaxed, simple streetwear style accented by extravagant, custom cyberware that could pay an Edgerunner's rent 'til 2077. Artyom is often cited as being off-putting and unprofessional by rival tech companies due to his casual approach to business and his eccentric life. In the office, Artyom is known for rarely taking anything too seriously. Advertisements greenlit by Artyom are casual and honest, often lamp-shading the techniques of other Corporations. When faced with opposition, Artyom has earned a reputation for humiliating challengers with blackmail and humorously doctored photos. And of course, the subsequent disappearance of any particularly stubborn opposition has never been linked to Zhirafa or Artyom. In his personal life, Artyom runs in eccentric circles, hosting parties in starscrapers with the glitterati and known Bratva members and sponsoring bizarre and often radical artists and musicians.
However, despite his strange and lavish lifestyle, fans of Zhirafa are always quick to point to the many interviews Artyom has given on the trajectory of Zhirafa and the future of robotics. In these interviews it's easy to see the glint of inspiration in Artyom's gold-plated cyberoptics even if it may be difficult from time-to-time to keep up with the technical jargon he runs through in his almost stream of consciousness style. It's hard, even for Artyom's detractors, to argue that the man isn't a driven tech with a complex understanding of robotics and technology.
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