Ankur Warikoo (born August 25, 1980) is an Indian entrepreneur, bestselling author, angel investor, and one of India’s most influential digital educators.
He co-founded Nearbuy (formerly Groupon India) and later reinvented himself as a mentor for millions through books, YouTube, and courses on money, careers, and productivity, inspiring India’s youth in 2025.
Known for his candid storytelling, relatable life lessons, and deep insights into startups and personal finance, Warikoo has become a household name among India’s youth.
From building companies like Nearbuy (formerly Groupon India) to creating viral YouTube videos on money, careers, and productivity, his journey is a compelling mix of ambition, failures, resilience, and reinvention. Today, he stands at the intersection of entrepreneurship, education, and content creation, helping millions navigate life’s uncertainties.
This biography dives deep into Ankur Warikoo’s early life, education, career, challenges, achievements, and legacy, using verified facts, references from his books (Do Epic Shit, Get Epic Shit Done), and interviews, while also analyzing his impact compared to contemporaries.
Early Life and Background
Childhood & Family
- Birth: August 25, 1980, in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir, India.
- Family: He was raised in a middle-class Punjabi household in New Delhi. His parents emphasized education as a path to stability.
In interviews, Warikoo recalls his early years as financially modest but filled with curiosity. Growing up in a rented DDA flat in Delhi, he often shared how money—or the lack of it—shaped his relationship with financial independence later in life.
“We were not poor, but we were never rich. Every rupee mattered. That’s where my obsession with personal finance began.” – Ankur Warikoo (Podcast, 2022)
Education
- Schooling: Don Bosco School, Delhi.
- Undergraduate: BSc in Physics from Hindu College, Delhi University.
- Higher Studies: He pursued PhD in Physics at Michigan State University, USA, but dropped out after realizing research wasn’t his passion.
- MBA: Indian School of Business (ISB), Hyderabad, specializing in Finance.
This shift—from physics research to business—was a defining turning point. Unlike many contemporaries who stuck with conventional careers, Warikoo chose to restart his life in his late 20s, highlighting his belief in “it’s never too late to change directions.”
Career Journey
Early Career
After his MBA from ISB, Warikoo joined NIS Sparta, an educational enterprise, before moving to A.T. Kearney as a management consultant. These roles introduced him to structured problem-solving and corporate life. However, his ambitions leaned toward entrepreneurship.
Founding Groupon India & Nearbuy
- 2011: Warikoo co-founded Groupon India as part of Groupon’s global expansion.
- 2015: He led the management buyout, rebranding Groupon India into Nearbuy, India’s leading local commerce platform.
- 2015–2019: As CEO of Nearbuy, he scaled the company, expanded its merchant base, and positioned it as a household lifestyle deals brand.
Despite initial success, Nearbuy faced challenges against heavyweights like Paytm and Zomato. In 2019, Warikoo stepped down as CEO.
“Stepping away from Nearbuy was the hardest decision of my life. But I realized leadership is also about knowing when to let go.” – (LinkedIn Post, 2019)
Shift to Content Creation
Post-Nearbuy, Warikoo reinvented himself as a digital educator and content creator:
Over 6M subscribers, creating videos on personal finance, startups, careers, and self-growth.
Among India’s top creators, with over 4M+ followers across platforms.
Courses & Workshops: Launched programs on entrepreneurship, time management, and money management.
- Books:
- Do Epic Shit (2021) – A Sunday Times Bestseller.
- Get Epic Shit Done (2022) – Structured as Q&A between mentor and mentee.
- Make Epic Money (2023) – A guide to financial literacy for millennials and Gen Z.
Through this pivot, Warikoo emerged as India’s mentor for young professionals and entrepreneurs, often compared to figures like Robin Sharma and Gary Vaynerchuk.
Achievements and Recognition
Business & Leadership
- Successfully scaled Nearbuy as a key player in local commerce.
- Angel investor in multiple Indian startups including Shiprocket, AngelList India, and Avail Finance.
Author & Educator
- Sold 1M+ copies of his books across formats.
- Courses on platforms like Growth School, Nas Academy, and his own website have educated over 500,000 learners.
Awards & Recognition
- LinkedIn Top Voice (India) multiple years.
- Featured in Forbes India and Entrepreneur Magazine for his work in startups and education.
- Recognized among India’s most influential digital educators (2022–2024).
Personal Life
- Spouse: Married to Ruchi, his college sweetheart from ISB.
- Children: The couple has two kids.
- Hobbies: Loves reading, photography, and public speaking.
Warikoo often shares personal failures candidly—such as losing money in stock trading or academic setbacks. This openness makes him relatable to millions.
Challenges & Failures
Warikoo’s journey wasn’t linear:
- Dropping out of PhD – A decision filled with uncertainty and cultural stigma.
- Nearbuy struggles – Competing in India’s aggressive startup ecosystem.
- Financial setbacks – Lost significant wealth in early trading mistakes, shaping his later financial literacy teachings.
Instead of hiding these, he shares them openly, turning vulnerabilities into lessons.
Legacy and Impact
Why Ankur Warikoo Matters Today
- For Students & Professionals: He bridges the gap between classroom learning and real-world skills.
- For Entrepreneurs: His startup journey is both a cautionary tale and an inspiration.
- For Personal Finance Learners: His advice demystifies money for India’s youth.
Comparison with Contemporaries
- Versus Tanmay Bhat (comedian-creator): Warikoo focuses on education, not entertainment.
- Versus Varun Mayya (educator-entrepreneur): Warikoo appeals to a broader mass, blending storytelling with life lessons.
- Versus Gary Vee (global influencer): Warikoo is more empathetic, less aggressive in style, tailored for Indian audiences.
Criticism & Limitations
- Simplified Advice: Critics argue that some of his financial advice oversimplifies complex realities.
- Content Saturation: With many influencers entering the space, some feel his messaging is repetitive.
- Entrepreneurial Exit: Unlike contemporaries who built billion-dollar unicorns, Warikoo’s startup Nearbuy didn’t reach unicorn status.
Yet, his ability to redefine failure as a stepping stone has made him more influential than many who achieved bigger financial exits.
FAQs
1. What is Ankur Warikoo’s net worth in 2025?
Estimated between $5–7 million, primarily from books, courses, angel investments, and speaking engagements.
2. Which is Ankur Warikoo’s best book?
Do Epic Shit remains the most popular, while Make Epic Money is praised for financial literacy.
3. Why did Ankur Warikoo leave Nearbuy?
He stepped down as CEO in 2019, citing personal growth, shifting passions, and the need for new leadership.
4. What makes Ankur Warikoo different from other influencers?
His candid storytelling, openness about failures, and deep relatability set him apart.
Conclusion
Ankur Warikoo’s biography is a testament to reinvention, resilience, and impact. From aspiring physicist to failed trader, from startup founder to bestselling author, his life proves that failure is not the opposite of success—it’s part of it.
As of 2025, Warikoo stands as one of India’s most trusted voices in personal finance, self-growth, and entrepreneurship. His legacy lies not in building a unicorn, but in building millions of lives that he continues to inspire.
For readers seeking inspiration, Warikoo’s journey shows: It’s never too late to change paths, learn from mistakes, and truly “Do Epic Shit.”
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- Gary Vaynerchuk Biography
- Best Self-Improvement Books to Read in 2025
👉 External References for Further Reading:
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