Biography of Ankur Nagpal: Entrepreneur, Investor- Founder of Teachable, Carry
Journey of Ankur Nagpal:
Ankur Nagpal's entrepreneurial journey is a testament to
resilience and vision. Born in Bombay and raised in Oman, he ventured to
California at 17 to pursue higher education at UC Berkeley. This move, he
recalls, was more challenging than later milestones like selling his startup
for $250 million or launching Ocho, his new venture aimed at empowering
creators and founders to build generational wealth.
Early Entrepreneurial Ventures at UC Berkeley
While at UC Berkeley, Ankur delved into entrepreneurship by
creating applications for Facebook from his dorm room. This venture quickly
gained traction, generating up to $50,000 per day in advertising revenue at its
peak. However, changes in Facebook's algorithms prompted Ankur to shift gears.
Biography of Ankur Nagpal: Entrepreneur, Investor- Founder of Teachable, Carry/Angel investor /Osho/Phyllo/ Investor in Vibe Capitals/age#net worth
Transition from Fedora to Teachable
After relocating to New York City, Ankur ventured into
teaching marketing courses. Dissatisfied with existing platforms like Udemy, he
saw an opportunity to create a better teaching experience. This vision led to
the inception of Fedora, his first platform for online courses. Returning to
the Bay Area to seek funding, Ankur successfully secured a seed round of $1
million in July 2014, valuing Fedora at $8 million. Over time, Fedora evolved
and rebranded to become Teachable, marking a significant milestone in Ankur's
entrepreneurial journey.
Teachable: Revolutionizing Online Education
Teachable allowed individuals to create and manage their own
online schools, democratizing access to education. The platform scaled to $60
million in annual recurring revenue before being acquired by Hotmart for $250
million in 2020. Under Ankur's leadership, Teachable empowered creators to
monetize their expertise, serving as a launchpad for many in the creator
economy.
Venture Capital Endeavors with Vibe Capital
Post-Teachable, Ankur shifted focus to venture capital,
founding Vibe Capital. The firm raised a $70 million fund from over 200
investors, backing over 80 portfolio companies. Vibe Capital specializes in
seed, pre-seed, and Series A investments across the United States, India, and
France, with a keen eye on software, apps, and information technology sectors.
Ocho: Empowering the Self-Employed
In 2022, Ankur founded Ocho, a platform designed to help
self-employed individuals build wealth through tax-advantaged retirement
accounts. Ocho's flagship product is a modern Solo 401(k) plan, allowing users
to contribute up to $70,000 annually. The platform simplifies the setup
process, offering a flat $199 annual fee and a 10-minute setup time. Ocho aims
to democratize access to financial tools traditionally reserved for full-time
employees.
Carry: A New Chapter in Financial Empowerment
In 2024, Ocho rebranded to Carry, expanding its offerings to
include tax optimization and financial planning tools for business owners and
self-employed individuals. Carry's mission is to help users grow their net
worth by making informed financial decisions. The platform provides resources
on tax strategies, investment planning, and wealth management, aiming to
empower users to take control of their financial futures.
Personal Finance Advocacy and Education
Beyond his entrepreneurial ventures, Ankur is an advocate
for financial literacy. He shares insights on tax optimization, investment
strategies, and retirement planning through various platforms, including
LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter). Ankur emphasizes the importance of
understanding financial tools and strategies to build long-term wealth,
particularly for self-employed individuals and business owners.
Conclusion
Ankur Nagpal's journey from a young student in Bombay to a successful entrepreneur and investor in Silicon Valley underscores the power of vision, adaptability, and a commitment to empowering others. Through ventures like Teachable, Vibe Capital, Ocho, and Carry, Ankur continues to shape the future of education, finance, and entrepreneurship, inspiring the next generation of creators and business leaders.
