Founder @WebVeda, @IndiaGeniusChallenge • Speaker • 6X Bestselling Author • 16M+ community
India
3M followers
500+ connections
3M followers
500+ connections
About
My overarching mission is to empower people to make choices in life from a point of awareness, not ignorance.
Over the past 17 years in the internet and technology space, I’ve had the privilege of working on several ventures - founding some, investing in others, and learning from all.
Over 16 million people follow my work across social platforms, where I share my experiences and insights on career, mindset, startups, personal finance, and relationships.
Today, my main focus is building WebVeda, an online school helping young professionals develop practical life skills across entrepreneurship, personal growth, and career management.
We have over 480,000 paid students worldwide with an average completion rate of 72%.
I have also launched a nation-wide search for the brightest kids in India, offering them a Rs. 10L scholarship, through a program called the India Genius Challenge.
I’ve also written five bestselling books that have sold 1Mn+ copies worldwide across 63 countries and translated into 17 languages:
- Do Epic Shit (2022)
- Get Epic Shit Done (2023)
- Make Epic Money (2024)
- Build An Epic Career (2025)
- Beyond The Syllabus (2025): for teenagers only
It’s been a journey shaped more by reflection and exploration than certainty, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Articles by Ankur
Activity
3M followers
-
Ankur Warikoo shared thisMy wife, Ruchi, went from earning ₹20 lakhs a year to ₹20,000 a month. By choice. And she'd do it again. I met her at the age of 19. She didn't have any life or career goals when I met her. She wanted to pursue anything that interested her. She graduated college and worked for a magazine. Her dream job was to work for Discovery Channel. As luck would have it, she landed a job there. Worked for 5 years. Then we had our first child. So she took a break. Raised our son for 4 years. Then in 2014, she wanted to do something new. She started organic farming, earning ₹20,000 a month. She used to earn ₹20 lakhs a year at Discovery Channel (from 2005-2010). That's an 88% pay cut. But she was happy. 3 years ago, I asked her to become my business manager. And we haven't looked back. 25 years ago, when we met each other, I didn't know that teaching or content creation would become my career. Neither did she. All she has ever wanted is to be happy and pursue her curiosities. That's the beauty of a career. You can't always plan it. Sometimes, it just happens.
-
Ankur Warikoo shared thisEvery team member at wariCrew gets a ₹72,000 wellness reimbursement every year. We started with reimbursing therapy sessions. It felt like the least we could do - if someone was struggling or simply as a wellbeing practice. Someone asked if they can use it towards their gym membership. I said yes. Then nutrition supplements. I said yes. So we stopped defining what "wellness" meant for our team. We just gave them ₹72,000 a year and said: Spend it on whatever keeps you well. Today, the reimbursement covers therapy, gym memberships, spa treatments, supplements, gym wear, athletic shoes, meditation apps, nutritionist consultations, wellness retreats, online fitness classes/subscriptions, fitness gadgets, etc. No justification needed. It has become our most availed 'perk'! The return isn't measurable on an Excel sheet (nor is it supposed to.) But I see it in their quality of thinking. In how they show up to hard conversations. In the patience someone has on a stressful day. A person who is sleeping well, moving their body, and processing their emotions is a different person at work. Not for productivity, but because it makes them whole. We spend so much time building systems and processes. But the highest ROI is gained by investing in the people inside those systems. Best decision we've made!
-
Ankur Warikoo shared this5 career risks that are safer than the safe choice: 1/ Switching roles before you feel ready. You'll never feel 100% ready. That's the point. Growth happens in the gap between what you can do and what you're capable of. I've switched roles multiple times feeling underprepared. Every single time, I figured it out. You will too. 2/ Leaving a comfortable job where you aren't growing. Stability without growth looks safe in year one. By year three, you realise you've been standing still while your skills become outdated. The job market rewards loyalty - not at the cost of stagnation. 3/ Sharing your work publicly Putting yourself out there feels vulnerable. What if people judge you? What if no one cares? But opportunities and connections won't find you in hiding. They'll find someone who is visible - even if you're more skilled than them. 4/ Saying no to misaligned work Every "yes" to work that doesn't serve you is a "no" to future work that could. 5/ Starting a side project A new skill. A freelance gig. A second income stream. It might work. It might not. But not starting guarantees you'll be in the exact same position a year from now. Wondering "what if?" The safe choice isn't a safe choice if it means you stay where you are while the world moves forward.
-
Ankur Warikoo shared thisSomething strange happens as your parents grow older. I started a ritual last year - to go on a vacation with my parents once a year. Just the 3 of us. And it was incredible. We did it again this year - in Japan. My parents are 74 and 72 years old. I hold their hands while they walk. I scold them because they use their phone on loudspeaker. I have to make sure they don't keep eating (or watching) junk. To be careful while walking down the stairs. Teach them how to use the phone for their benefit. Not to be nice to everyone being nice to them. I realised - my parents have basically become my kids! Such a weird circle of life. They raised you. Taught you everything you know. And now you have to guide them. Make sure they follow everything they taught you. At the same time, it is a wonderful blessing, no? It is an unexplainable feeling to hold your mother's hand and walk the streets of a new city, as she gazes in wonder. And pride.
-
Ankur Warikoo shared this“Spend less. Save more. Don’t waste it.” I grew up in a house where every expense was a negotiation. Because we were living hand-to-mouth. That conditioning served me for a long time. Until it started working against me. I kept optimising for less. Less spend, less risk, less exposure. Less growth. Until I made the risky expenses, and realised they weren’t spending. They were building!
-
Ankur Warikoo shared thisOur driver, Dayanand Bhaiya, now earns ₹53,350 a month. Plus insurance, a one-month Diwali bonus, and a scooty. He joined us 13 years ago, earning Rs. 15,000. Today, he isn't just our driver. He is our trusted partner. He drives our children to classes. Holds duplicate house keys. Handles all important errands that don't require our presence. Treats us as his own (addresses everyone in the family as 'tum' and not 'aap'.) He is someone I trust blindly with the safety of my family and I. He continues to live frugally, with unwavering punctuality and discipline. Wakes up at 4:30 a.m., sleeps by 8:30 p.m., is never late, and always carries a smile. He saves us time, mental load, and effort. In return, all he ever wanted was trust, which we gladly gave. He has been one of the best investments of our money, and I can't wait for him to reach ₹1 lakh per month soon. The surest way to win in life is to be generous with your money with hardworking people!
-
Ankur Warikoo posted thisWhat's the most common surname in India? (answer without Googling or asking ChatGPT!)
-
Ankur Warikoo shared this"I'm too tired to start a new project. The market is too tough right now, why bother?" For years, a friend of mine was stuck in a rut. They called it realism. But I could sense there was a deeper problem. Their vocabulary wasn't reflecting their life. It was increasing their dissatisfaction. Your mind is like Google. If you search "Is coffee good for me?" - you'll find thousands of articles. But you'll also find thousands of articles for "Is coffee bad for me?" Similarly, every time you say, "I'm stuck," your brain will find reasons to prove you right. The solution isn't motivation. It's to ask the right questions and understand yourself better. Stop saying: "I'm exhausted." Ask: "What is this showing me about my energy?" Stop saying: "I'm confused." Ask: "Which step am I most afraid to take next?" Stop saying: "I can't." Say: "I am learning how." This is the hardest kind of work. It feels uncomfortable starting out. But your mind is brilliant at one thing: Proving you right. Give it the right challenge. Give it a new story. Watch how fast it finds the evidence to support your growth. Don't wait for your reality to change your words. Change your words to change your reality.
-
Ankur Warikoo shared thisWe sponsored an IIM MBA for one of our team members at wariCrew. Because she didn’t feel ready for a role I knew she would be great at! Surabhi started as an Operations intern. Became the Course Operations Manager. Soon enough, I knew she was capable of much more. I asked her if she would manage the entire business. But she felt she wasn’t ready - she didn’t have any managerial experience. I thought an MBA would be a good way to close the gap. She enrolled for an Executive Program in General Management from IIM Calcutta. (As part of our learning initiative, we sponsor 90% of the course fee. No upper limit.) She balanced studies and her job without missing a beat. Promoted to Courses Manager within a year! She is now managing hiring, operations, strategy, product, communication - everything! As the single full-time employee of WebVeda.com, generating 12+Cr of revenue a year. I have never second-guessed investing in the team. Helping them go from where they are to where they deserve to be is one of the most fulfilling things as a founder!
Ankur Warikoo commented on a post
21h
Is your child playing the India Genius Challenge (IGC)?
This is what the smartest kids in the country are playing right now - 47,000+ of them -- every day for free - online - for just 5 minutes. Winning iPads, laptops, smartwatches, and phones!
All for the ultimate prize - 10L Scholarship at the National Finals in Delhi in November.
Sign up for free on https://bit.ly/4pTQ7Uv
Ankur Warikoo commented on a post
1d
So so so inspiring. You have been and will continue to be a rockstar Dhruv. I am glad our paths crossed and I get to witness this journey from a distance and admire it :))
Ankur Warikoo commented on a post
1d
Is your child playing the India Genius Challenge (IGC)?
This is what the smartest kids in the country are playing right now - 47,000+ of them -- every day for free - online - for just 5 minutes. Winning iPads, laptops, smartwatches, and phones!
All for the ultimate prize - 10L Scholarship at the National Finals in Delhi in November.
Sign up for free on https://bit.ly/4pTQ7Uv
-
Ankur Warikoo liked thisAnkur Warikoo liked thisIt’s been an incredible 9-month journey at Zypp as a Data Analyst Intern From day one, every single day brought new learnings, new challenges, and new opportunities to grow. Whether it was working with data, solving real business problems, or collaborating with amazing teammates - this experience has shaped me in ways I never imagined. One of the highlights was attending Ankur Warikoo’s session at Zypp today - it left me feeling energized, motivated, and even more excited to keep hustling and building in life 🚀 Zypp Electric Akash Gupta Ankur Warikoo #lifeatzypp #zyppElectric #dataAnalyst #hustle #startup #Zypp
-
Ankur Warikoo liked thisAnkur Warikoo liked thisWould you prefer Hustle or Peace? Today, it was something we do not expect to hear daily at Zypp Electric, where hustle is everything while solving any challenge. An amazing guest Ankur Warikoo was in the house for a podcast shoot, which will come out soon on #KaashSeAkash, and I didn't want to miss this podcast because I knew that this interaction between the two dynamic personas who are poles apart. Ankur brought a different perspective, where knowing the hustle isn't a competition but a purpose, and Akash Gupta had a perspective of hustling to do things right and make them work, which we totally align with while building an EV revolution. The grind between them was totally worth listening to, and we unravelled the concept of - Self-awareness - Balance between hustle and family - What matters the most for GenZs - Importance of journal writing - Investing purpose and tips I have an industry experience of 13+ years, working for more than 4 startups, hustle has been the core of my drive and passion, while I always know where to stop and what i exactly want out of this hustle, and this conversation between the two dynamic people made me realise that I'm already there in terms of the message they both wanted the audience to understand and adopt. I have a saying that "Knowing kya kya chahiye is good, Kitna chahiye is the best" and this will stay with me while I continue to work for the goals I've made and what is there for me afterwards. It's a deep thought everyone must ask themselves and always look for answers to it. I absolutely love listening to such people and am blessed to be witnessing them speak live! This is what Zypp brings to my life. #LifeAtZypp #ZyppCreators #Hustle #peace #growth #podcast #KaashSeAkash
-
Ankur Warikoo liked thisAnkur Warikoo liked thisI didn’t get into Private Dining because I saw an opportunity. I started because I had no income. What began as a way to stay afloat, turned into something I didn’t expect. A cooking class. A side hustle. A quirky experiment built around the things I love. But then something started to grow on its own and it didn’t happen overnight. It happened one guest at a time. One 5 star review at a time. One subtle nod from the algorithm, at a time. Somewhere between panic and persistence, my private dining business was born. And looking back, it feels less like I built this… and more like it carried me through a phase where I needed it most. — Short clip from my conversation with Arjun Thomas on Building Real. Full episode on YouTube. https://lnkd.in/gEGNcJx9 If you’re figuring out your side hustle in F&B right now… I get it. Hang in there. And if you’re building something in food, I’m always happy to share what I’ve learned along the way. #PrivateDining #MadOnionSlicer #SideHustle
Experience
-
-
-
-
Startup Investor
Internet & Technology Companies
-
nearbuy.com
-
-
-
Groupon
-
-
-
-
-
Education
-
-
Michigan State University
MS Astronomy and Astrophysics
-
Recipient of Merit-based Full Tuition Waiver through Teaching & Research Assistantship
-
Hindu College, University of Delhi
BSc Physics
-
Activities and Societies: Debating & Public Speaking Photography
-
Publications
Honors & Awards
-
Forbes Top 100 Digital Creators of India
Forbes India
Recognized as Top 100 Digital Creators of India. by Forbes India
-
LinkedIn Spotlight 2019
LinkedIn India
Recognized as part of LinkedIn Spotlight - most viewed & engaging professionals on the platform
-
Linkedin India Top Voice 2018
LinkedIn
Part of LinkedIn India's Top Voice 2018 List
-
LinkedIn India Power Profile List 2018
LinkedIn
Part of LinkedIn India's Power Profile List 2018
-
Social Media Entrepreneur of the Year 2017
CMOAsia
Awarded Social Media Entrepreneur of the Year 2017 by CMOAsia, in July 20017
-
FORTUNE India 40 Under 40 List
FORTUNE Magazine India
Listed in Fortune India's Annual compilation of its famous 40 UNDER 40 List
-
FORTUNE India 40 Under 40 List
Fortune Magazine (India)
Listed in Fortune India's 1st compilation of its famous 40 UNDER 40 List
-
India's Most Promising Entrepreneur Award (2013)
Enterprise Asia
Awarded India's Most Promising Entrepreneur Award for the year 2013, by Enterprise Asia (based in Malaysia)
http://enterpriseasia.org/apea/in/past-winners.php -
India's Top 25 Executives below 40 years (2013)
Business Today Magazine
Named as one of the Top 25 Executives below 40 years, in India for the year 2013
http://businesstoday.intoday.in/story/hottest-young-executive-groupon-ankur-warikoo/1/203645.html -
ISB Young Leader Award 2005-06
Indian School of Business
Awarded the ISB Young Leader Award for 2005-06.
4 students in a batch of 350+ were recongized for the same award.
Explore more posts
Explore collaborative articles
We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.
Explore More