While no one was looking, Naval Ravikant created AngelList, a platform that revolutionized startup funding and investing.
And today, AngelList is one of the world’s most influential platforms for connecting startups with investors and talent.
I have been fascinated by Naval Ravikant’s story for years, but recently I decided to go fully down the rabbit hole and learn everything I possibly could on his origin story and path to success. I probably spent countless hours watching interviews, reading news articles, and listening to podcasts, taking notes and trying to piece his path together in a coherent way. Finally, I distilled his remarkable story down into a short essay for you to enjoy.
Here’s Naval Ravikant’s story:
QUICK BACKSTORY:
Naval Ravikant grew up in New Delhi, India.
He faced significant challenges, including moving to New York at a young age and growing up in a challenging environment.
A quirky fact about Naval is his deep interest in philosophy and how it blends with his tech and investment insights.
THE ODDS:
To say Naval was set up for success from the beginning would be an overstatement.
The odds of success for an immigrant with no initial network in Silicon Valley are incredibly slim. And only a small percentage make it to a position of notable influence in the tech industry. Which means Naval’s odds of success were pretty much slim to none.
(Hey, that’s what makes for a great story!)
THE GOAL:
But Naval had his sights set on creating significant impact in the startup ecosystem.
And for years, he was relentless about learning, networking, and innovating.
THE OBSTACLE:
Unfortunately, success turned out to be a lot harder than he originally imagined.
Naval faced multiple startup failures.
He dealt with legal battles that drained his resources and energy.
There were periods of significant financial struggle and uncertainty.
And by the early 2000s, he almost chose to give up.
THE BREAKTHROUGH:
Until one day, the idea of AngelList came into focus.
As the story goes, he saw the need for a platform that could democratize startup investing and connect entrepreneurs with the right investors.
And the rest is history.
THE ACHIEVEMENT:
Between 2010 and today, Naval went on to:
Establish AngelList as a premier platform in the startup ecosystem.
Invest in and mentor numerous successful startups.
Become a respected voice on topics ranging from tech to personal well-being.
Maybe most importantly, he inspired a generation of entrepreneurs and investors.
THE LESSON:
I love Naval Ravikant’s story because it represents resilience, innovation, and the importance of continuous learning.
It reminds us of the power of consistent effort, deep thinking, and leveraging technology to create lasting impact.
Because when we focus on the right things, where we’re headed is certain.
We just need the future to catch up.