Ankur Warikoo was rejected by IIT and many USA universities. He shares the 'truth' behind his success

Failure is a word most people dread, but for Ankur Warikoo, it’s been a constant companion—and his greatest teacher. The entrepreneur and motivational speaker recently shared a post on Instagram that’s now inspiring thousands. In it, he walked his followers through a lifetime of rejections, proving that success often hides behind countless “no’s” and closed doors. His story is a reminder that sometimes, you’re only one “yes” away from changing everything.

Warikoo revealed that he applied to IIT twice after school, only to be rejected both times. Determined not to give up, he tried again after completing his bachelor’s degree for a master’s program—another rejection. His dream of studying abroad also took a hit when 6 out of 7 US universities turned him down.

The setbacks didn’t stop there. Warikoo applied to 11 MBA programs, receiving rejections from 10. Even after finally completing his MBA, his job hunt was far from smooth—4 out of 5 companies declined to hire him. Later, as a founder, he pitched his startup idea to 50 investors. Forty-nine said no.


It’s easy to look at that list and see a string of failures. But for Warikoo, every “no” was just a stepping stone toward the “yes” that mattered. “You only need one success,” he wrote. “And when that win comes, it’s big enough to erase every no that came before it.”

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A post shared by Ankur Warikoo (@ankurwarikoo)

Internet reacts

Users praised the post, calling it a powerful reminder that every rejection is just a step toward a life-changing success. Many felt it captured an undeniable truth about persistence and resilience. Some said it reflected the kind of confidence and grit that comes from failing repeatedly until one decisive win changes everything. Others noted that failures often have a way of redirecting people toward what’s truly meant for them, ultimately leading to greater success.