At 25, Ankur Warikoo used to earn Rs 134/hour. Now he is 45 and his time is worth Rs 2,00,000/hour. What changed?

Ankur Warikoo says the biggest financial investment of his life was not in stocks, gold or cryptocurrency. It was in himself. The entrepreneur recently reflected on how the value of his time rose from around Rs 134 an hour at age 25 to Rs 2 lakh an hour at 45. Behind that dramatic change, he says, was one decision: taking a major bet on his own growth. His story highlights why skills, education and exposure can transform earning potential.

From Rs 134 an hour to Rs 2 lakh

Warikoo took to social media and shared that over 19 years, the value of his time had “skyrocketed” from Rs 134 an hour at 25 to Rs 2 lakh an hour at 45. He explained that in 2005, he was earning Rs 2.78 lakh a year, which worked out to approximately Rs 134 per hour. At the time, he felt he lacked the skills, exposure and professional network needed to significantly increase the value of his time. That changed the following year when he decided to make what he describes as the “biggest investment” of his life.

Why Ankur Warikoo took a huge MBA loan

In 2006, Warikoo decided to pursue an MBA from the Indian School of Business. To fund the degree, he took what he described as a “HUGE loan” without collateral backing. For Warikoo, the decision was a bet on himself rather than a conventional financial investment. The MBA helped him access better opportunities, after which his compensation continued to rise. Looking back, he believes the decision fundamentally changed his career trajectory and, eventually, the value of his time.

Warikoo now works less than 20 hours a week

Warikoo contrasted his situation in 2005 with where he is today. He said he now works for fewer than 20 hours a week and owns 100% of a company that earns around Rs 20 crore a year, with profits of more than Rs 4 crore. For him, the transformation is evidence of what can happen when someone invests in skills, knowledge and professional growth before focusing solely on traditional financial assets.

The key lesson, he said, is that “self-investment” can deliver extraordinary returns because improving your capabilities can increase your ability to earn.

‘I bet on myself’

Warikoo's central message revolves around the decision he made in 2006. Rather than waiting for his circumstances to improve, he chose to increase his own capabilities. He said the decision taught him a lesson he has seen repeatedly: personal growth tends to come before financial growth.

The logic is straightforward. Investments in stocks, gold or crypto can potentially grow wealth, but the amount available to invest in the first place is influenced by how much a person can earn and save. For someone early in their career, developing valuable skills can therefore have an impact far beyond the immediate financial return.

Warikoo on stocks, gold and crypto investments

Warikoo did not dismiss traditional investments. He acknowledged that there is plenty of content showing how stocks, gold and cryptocurrency can potentially make people millionaires. He said such claims are “not lying” and are mathematically possible. But he believes there is another side to the equation. Before focusing entirely on growing an investment portfolio, people can benefit from increasing their own earning potential.

In his view, personal development is a “leading indicator” of financial growth because stronger skills, greater exposure and better opportunities can raise the value of a person's time.