How Ankur Nagpal Turned Adversity into a $250M Empire
Jan 14, 2025
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Ankur Nagpal, founder of Teachable and Carry, shares his inspiring journey from immigrant student to entrepreneur. He discusses the hurdles of navigating the US immigration system and the lessons learned from his early Facebook app success. Ankur reflects on the evolution of the creator economy and the challenges of scaling Teachable. He emphasizes the importance of family and meaningful work after selling his company for $250 million, while also exploring the future of content creation and his mission to democratize investment strategies for business owners.
Ankur Nagpal's entrepreneurial journey highlights the importance of resilience and adaptability in overcoming early challenges to achieve success.
The sale of Teachable prompted Ankur to reflect on personal values, shifting his focus towards meaningful relationships and purposeful work.
Ankur's love for cricket shaped his understanding of teamwork and individuality, contributing to his unique identity and perspective on business.
Through his latest venture, Carry, Ankur aims to empower everyday business owners by promoting a culture of community and lasting customer relationships.
Deep dives
Understanding Work That Matters
Impactful work is defined as delivering true value to customers while also seeking new opportunities for growth. While various factors such as KPIs, internal processes, and communication are important, excessive focus on these elements can lead to a frustrating and soulless work environment. This conversation emphasizes that the essence of running a company should align with building relationships and making a positive impact rather than getting bogged down in metrics. Acknowledging this balance encourages leaders to prioritize meaningful connections and customer value in their work.
Ankur Nagpal's Entrepreneurial Journey
Ankur Nagpal's journey is marked by his transition from being an immigrant student to becoming a successful entrepreneur. Starting with a company called Teachable, he navigated through early challenges and grew the platform significantly before eventually selling it for a reported $250 million. His experiences from earning an education while launching his first business in college paved the way for his future successes and innovations. The transformation from student to entrepreneur was fueled by a combination of opportunity, determination, and a desire to create something impactful.
Embracing Change After Success
The sale of Teachable significantly changed Ankur's life, providing him with newfound financial freedom but also prompting a reflection on personal values and priorities. After the company sale, the shift involved rediscovering important aspects of life, such as family, relationships, and purposeful work. Despite the temptation to return to the startup world, he sought time to regroup and explore opportunities that aligned with his core values. This journey of introspection ultimately fueled his desire to launch Carry, a platform empowering everyday founders and business owners.
The Role of Sports and Childhood Influences
Ankur's appreciation for cricket reflects the important lessons learned about teamwork and individuality from a young age. As a sport that combines both personal and collective efforts, cricket has shaped his understanding of challenges faced both on and off the field. Growing up in diverse cultural environments, such as Oman, also contributed to Ankur's unique identity and perspective on business and life. His love for cricket ties into a broader theme of nurturing deep connections with passions, fostering a sense of belonging in the professional realm.
Gaining Perspective Through Travel
Travel has provided Ankur with transformative experiences, highlighting the importance of self-discovery and personal growth. The freedom to explore different cultures has allowed him to form deeper connections with family and friends while gaining valuable life lessons. Traveling brought clarity to complex emotions, allowing him to realize the impact of authentic relationships and experiences. Through various travels, he understood the significance of reconnecting with one's true self and focusing on what truly matters in life.
Adapting to New Changes in Business
In the ever-evolving landscape of business, Ankur acknowledges the importance of flexibility and adaptability. He highlights the distinction between short-term success and long-term sustainability, urging entrepreneurs to focus on building solid foundations for their companies. During the development of Carry, he emphasizes a more patient approach, ensuring that innovative ideas are cultivated over time. Balancing ambition with steadiness, he aims to create a product that not only responds to current market needs but also fosters lasting customer relationships.
Cultivating a Positive Company Culture
Ankur champions the significance of culture in fostering a supportive and productive work environment. He emphasizes the importance of prioritizing people who genuinely want to work in a startup and are intrinsically motivated by the company's purpose. Through building a team that values camaraderie and playfulness, he distinguishes ways to enhance the work experience while being deeply mindful of productivity. Recognizing a strong sense of community and collaboration, he aims to create an enjoyable atmosphere where employees feel appreciated and fulfilled.
This week, I talk with Ankur Nagpal, founder of Teachable, Carry, and Vibe Capital. Ankur’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. From immigrating to the U.S. for college to founding a company that grew exponentially and sold for a life-changing $250 million, Ankur has built a remarkable career. We explore how he went from creating Facebook apps in college to funding his own education at Berkeley, starting and scaling Teachable in New York, and what he learned about himself after the sale. Ankur shares how success has allowed him to focus on what truly matters—family, meaningful relationships, and purpose-driven work. Now with Carry, he’s on a mission to bring elite investment and tax strategies to everyday business owners. This is a story of resilience, authenticity, and leadership. Let’s get to it!
In this episode:
(00:00) - Intro
(02:51) - What makes cricket a beautiful sport?
(06:40) - Growing up in Oman and moving to the US
(16:32) - Navigating the US visa system
(22:09) - What Ankur learned from his initial success building Facebook apps
(32:01) - Making a million dollars and forgetting to pay taxes
(33:51) - Finding home in New York
(38:07) - How New York has shaped Ankur professionally and personally
(43:10) - Teachable and the evolution of the creator economy
(49:08) - Challenges of scaling a startup
(57:45) - What will change for content creators over the next 10 years?
(01:04:35) - Deciding to sell Teachable
(01:09:22) - Life-changing realizations
(01:12:31) - Ankur's first big purchase after selling the company
(01:14:13) - Walking away from CEO
(01:16:42) - Investing and family priorities
(01:19:36) - What Ankur learned as an investor that he didn't know as a founder
