Ankur Warikoo Biography: Inspiring India’s Youth

Ankur Warikoo, born on August 25, 1980, in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir, is a celebrated Indian entrepreneur, author, and motivational speaker. Known for his Figuring Out podcast and books like Do Epic Shit, he inspires millions with practical life advice. This Ankur Warikoo biography explores his early life, career growth, struggles, comeback, current influence, and lesser-known facts, showcasing his transformative impact on India’s youth.

Ankur Warikoo’s Early Life

Humble Beginnings in Delhi

Born to a Kashmiri Pandit family, Ankur Warikoo moved to Delhi at age three. His father, Ashok, worked in pharmaceuticals, while his mother, Neerja, was a homemaker. Growing up in a middle-class household, Ankur faced financial struggles but dreamed big. He aimed to join NASA and become the first man on Mars, a goal that fueled his early ambition.

Academic Journey and Dropout

Ankur excelled at Don Bosco School, New Delhi, and earned a Bachelor’s in Physics from Hindu College, Delhi University. In 2002, he pursued a PhD in Astrophysics at Michigan State University but dropped out at 24, feeling unfulfilled. Returning to India with no plan, he faced uncertainty but saw it as a chance to redefine his path.

Ankur Warikoo’s Career Growth

Early Corporate Steps

In 2004, Ankur Warikoo started as a consultant at NIS Sparta, earning ₹15,000 monthly. He later joined A.T. Kearney, working on projects in media, real estate, and retail across Dubai, New York, and India. In 2006, he pursued an MBA at the Indian School of Business, meeting his future wife, Ruchi Budhiraja, and gaining clarity on entrepreneurship.

Building Startups

In 2008, Ankur co-founded Accentium Web, launching platforms like Gaadi.com and SecondShaadi.com. Gaadi.com was later acquired by Goibibo. In 2011, he became the founding CEO of Groupon India, rebranded as Nearbuy in 2015. As CEO until 2019, he grew Nearbuy into a leading hyper-local platform, solidifying his entrepreneurial reputation.

Struggles and Down Phases

Academic and Career Setbacks

Ankur faced repeated failures, including failing the JEE twice and dropping out of his PhD program. At 29, he quit consulting to join a startup but was fired by his co-founder for poor leadership. Rejections from Google, Facebook, and Microsoft for product management roles added to his challenges, leaving him directionless.

Financial and Personal Struggles

Growing up, Ankur’s family lived hand-to-mouth, and he once pawned his parents’ house to fund his sister’s wedding. In 2015, to gift his son Vidur a bicycle, he and Ruchi sold her gold bangles, a moment of emotional hardship. These struggles, coupled with public criticism on X for a 2022 insensitive comment about cricketer Prithvi Shaw, tested his resilience.

Comeback and Rise to Fame

Despite setbacks, Ankur pivoted to content creation in 2016 with Warikoo Wednesdays on LinkedIn, sharing leadership insights. In 2019, he launched Figuring Out, a podcast with over 8 billion views by 2024. His 2021 book Do Epic Shit became a national bestseller, followed by Get Epic Shit Done and Make Epic Money. His authentic storytelling and Forbes 30 Under 30 listing in 2023 cemented his fame.

Current Status and Influence

Digital Mentor and Author

As of June 2025, Ankur Warikoo has 3.5 million Instagram followers and 3.24 million YouTube subscribers, with a net worth of $15 million (₹125 crore). His platform, WebVeda, generated ₹9.56 crore in 2023, offering courses on entrepreneurship and finance. He mentors startups and speaks at global events, inspiring Gen Z and millennials.

Personal Life and Advocacy

Ankur lives in Delhi NCR with his wife, Ruchi, and their children, Vidur and Uzma. A fitness enthusiast, he transformed his health in his 40s, losing significant weight. He advocates for mental health, financial discipline, and self-awareness, sharing his “failure resume” to normalize setbacks. His influence extends through 30+ startup investments.

Lesser-Known Facts

• NASA Dream: Wanted to be the first man on Mars.
• Failure Resume: Shared 17 failures, including PhD dropout, in 2023.
• Book Sales: Sold over 1 million book copies, earning ₹4.5 crore in royalties.
• Fitness Journey: Transformed his body at 43, inspiring fitness content.
• Early Blog: Started blogging in 2005, years before YouTube fame.

Category	Details
Full Name	Ankur Warikoo
Born	August 25, 1980, Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir, India
Profession	Entrepreneur, Author, Podcaster, Motivational Speaker
Notable Work	Do Epic Shit, Get Epic Shit Done, Figuring Out Podcast, WebVeda
Spouse	Ruchi Budhiraja (married 2007)
Net Worth	~$15 million (₹125 crore, 2025)
Awards	Forbes 30 Under 30, LinkedIn Top Voices (2018–2020)

Conclusion

This Ankur Warikoo biography showcases a journey of resilience and reinvention. From dropping out of his PhD to building Nearbuy and Figuring Out, Ankur Warikoo overcame failures to become a leading mentor. His books, podcast, and WebVeda platform inspire millions, proving that awareness and persistence can transform lives.