 | |
| Name | Ankur Warikoo |
|---|---|
| Birth Date | 25 August 1980 |
| Birth Place | Srinagar |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Indian entrepreneur, YouTuber, and author |
| Channel Name | warikoo |
| Subscribers | 5.02 million (as of September 2024) |
Ankur Warikoo (born 25 August 1980) in New Delhi to Kashmiri Pandit parents originally from Srinagar. He is a well-known Indian entrepreneur, YouTuber, and author. He is best known for founding Nearbuy, an e-commerce platform, and for his popular motivational content that helps young professionals navigate life and work. As of September 2024, he has about 5.02 million subscribers.
Early life and education
Ankur grew up in a modest household and attended Don Bosco School in Alaknanda, New Delhi. Later, he studied Physics at Hindu College, Delhi University. Though he initially aimed to become a scientist and even started a PhD in Astrophysics at Michigan State University, he realized that wasn’t his path. Ankur dropped out of the program and returned to India, where he pursued an MBA at the prestigious Indian School of Business (ISB), which proved to be a life-changing decision.
Career
Ankur started his career as an entrepreneur in 2008 by co-founding Accentium Web, a company that ran websites like Gaadi.com (focused on automobiles) and SecondShaadi.com (a matrimonial site for second marriages). His real breakthrough came in 2011 when he became the CEO of Groupon India, a popular deals and discount platform. He led Groupon for four years, during which he also oversaw its operations in the Asia-Pacific region.
In 2015, Ankur took a bold step by buying out Groupon India’s business with his core team and turning it into an independent company called Nearbuy. Nearbuy became a top e-commerce platform in India, connecting people with local deals and services. Ankur stepped down as CEO in 2019 to explore new ventures.
In 2020, Ankur started WebVeda, an online education platform that helps young people become “life-ready” by teaching essential skills. He also launched HelpClub in 2023, an app that allows people to seek and give help anonymously, creating a safe space for honest conversations.
Personal life
Ankur is not just a businessman but also a speaker, storyteller, and mentor. He loves to share his life experiences, whether through public speaking at events or his video series, Warikoo Wednesdays. He believes in spreading awareness and helping people make informed decisions in their personal and professional lives.
Ankur is known for his down-to-earth personality and sense of humor. He enjoys connecting with people, telling stories, and, as he puts it, “cracking really bad jokes.” His motto is “Do Epic Shit,” which for him means taking action, working towards something bigger than yourself, and enjoying the journey while doing it.
Awards and achievements
Over the years, Ankur has received several honors, including being named to Fortune India’s 30 30 list. In 2022, he won the Golden Book Award for his contributions to entrepreneurship p and motivational content.
books
Ankur has authored several bestselling books that offer life advice and career insights. His books are written in an easy-to-understand style, making complex ideas accessible to everyone. Some of his notable works include:
Do Epic Shit (2021)
Get Epic Shit Done (2022)
Make Epic Money (2024)
External links
Ankur Warikoo on instagram
Ankur Warikoo on Youtube