Few people blend vulnerability, honesty, and practical wisdom as consistently as Ankur Warikoo. He’s not defined by flashy launches or overnight success. Instead, his journey is rooted in curiosity, calculated risks, and a commitment to sharing everything he learns along the way.
Early Dreams and Career Beginnings
Ankur was born in Srinagar (August 1980) and grew up in Delhi. A physics graduate from Hindu College, he went on to earn an MS in Astronomy and Astrophysics from Michigan State University—but dropped out of the PhD program because it didn’t feel like him. Listening to his inner voice, he came back to India and landed an entry-level job at a consulting firm, earning just ₹15,000 a month. In just five years, he increased that salary to ₹33 LPA—a transformation he often shares on LinkedIn to motivate young professionals.
Entrepreneurship: Building Local & Digital Ecosystems
Ankur went on to co-found Accentium Web in 2008, which incubated multiple brands like Gaadi and SecondShaadi. In 2011, he joined Groupon India as founding CEO, and later led its APAC operations across Southeast Asia. Nearbuy.com was born in 2015 as a management buyout of Groupon India, with Ankur at the helm until 2019—turning it into India’s leading hyper-local services platform.
Creator, Speaker & Teacher
Since stepping down in 2019, Ankur shifted focus to content creation and education. Today, he leads WebVeda, an online learning platform supporting over 400,000 students with life skills training, courses on entrepreneurship, career planning, and more. He continues to mentor startups, speak at major institutions like IITs and TEDx, and share honest personal stories across YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, and newsletters—reaching over 15–16 million individuals across platforms.
Books with a Bold Voice
Ankur has authored multiple bestselling books such as Do Epic Shit, Get Epic Shit Done, Make Epic Money, and Build an Epic Career, selling over a million copies in 16+ languages across 60+ countries. His style isn’t polished self-help fluff—it’s crisp, real, and grounded in action.
Earnings and Transparency
In 2024, Ankur’s venture ecosystem made ₹16.84 crore (~USD 2M) in revenue:
- WebVeda courses: ₹9.56 crore
- Brand partnerships: ₹2.76 crore
- Speaking engagements: ₹2.38 crore
- Book royalties: ₹1.65 crore
After expenses, his profit margins hover between 20–25%. He also supports his team with profit shares and generous perks—including travel, subscriptions, therapy sessions, and course reimbursements.
Personal Resilience: The Marathon Recovery
In 2012, Ankur was diagnosed with Avascular Necrosis—a condition that could have left him immobile. Advised to stop walking, he instead recovered, lost body fat, and eventually ran a marathon. Today, at age 44, he describes himself as “fat‑free”—another example of his grit and resilience.
What Sets Ankur Apart?
- Honesty over hype: He shares missteps alongside success.
- Curiosity over credentials: He asks the questions others don’t.
- Backed by data: Income transparency isn’t hidden or vague.
- Relatable storytelling: His content feels like advice from a friend.
While critics argue about his investment credentials or ghostwriting claims, many respect him for encouraging independent thought and personal accountability.
Quiet Leadership, Real Impact
What makes Ankur’s journey compelling isn’t the scale—it’s the consistency. Whether guiding a 20-year-old job aspirant or addressing life’s setbacks, he speaks from experience, not theory. Every video, course, or post reflects his belief: Figure it out while you do it.
To those looking for honest mentorship, actionable wisdom, and essential life skills—Ankur’s voice is worth tuning into.
Ankur Warikoo didn’t follow a linear route. He built one. What he teaches isn’t perfection—it’s persistence. And in that persistence, many find direction.