Naval Ravikant: From Silicon Valley to Spirituality

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Biography of Naval Ravikant

Naval Ravikant is one of the most notable entrepreneurs and businessmen, known for being the co-founder and CEO of various companies.

Ravikant is known for founding AngelList, a platform connecting angel investors and new entrepreneurs. His work helped various business enthusiasts set the grounds for a startup, improving innovation.

This business guru influenced and was a role model for various potential entrepreneurs. He worked his way up and proved that you could be successful through skill and the right ideas.

Early Life and Education

Naval Ravikant was born in New Delhi, India, on November 5, 1974. His childhood was not easy, as he was born in an impoverished area. He grew up in an average Indian family, where his father was a pharmacist.

Naval also had a brother named Kamal. Not much is known about their childhood except for the basics, as he would admit in interviews that “it was not that great.”

The first years of life were especially difficult for Ravikant. At age 4, his father immigrated to the United States, looking for better job opportunities. His family remained in India for the next five years, and then joined his father in the U.S. when Ravikant was 9.

Due to different regulations in India and the United States, Ravikant’s father could no longer continue his work as a pharmacist. Thus, he began working at a hardware store, needing to start over.

Ravikant did not see his father much as he was growing up because their father abandoned them shortly after they relocated to America. After that, Ravikant moved with his mother and brother from New York to Queens.

Things were very difficult for the family without their father to help them. His mother worked long hours, earning a minimum wage to support her family.

She would take various menial day jobs followed by night classes, forcing Ravikant to become independent from a very young age. He grew up having no older person telling him what to do, so he needed to teach himself to be an adult.

From a very young age, Ravikant enjoyed reading and studied very well. In 1991, he graduated from Stuyvesant High School, where he spent most of his time in the library. The school was rather prestigious, but he received a scholarship for his academic ability.

Then, he began taking classes at Dartmouth College, graduating with a degree in economics and computer science. During that time, he was also an intern at the law company Davis Polk & Wardwell.

“A fit body, a calm mind, a house full of love. These things cannot be bought — they must be earned.” ~ Naval Ravikant

Early Career and AngelList

Ravikant’s first job was at DMA, part of his college’s work-study program. While he was at the company, he offered data management and computer support. He also worked at the Boston Consulting Group for a limited time before moving to Silicon Valley.

Naval’s first startup was called Genoa Coro, which Finisar later purchased.

His second venture was Epinions in 1999, a consumer product review website he co-founded. The company would raise $45 million of venture capital from August Capital and Benchmark Capital.

Four years later, in 2003, the company merged with Deatime, a comparison pricing website. Ravikant and other co-founders approved of this, even though it meant their shares would be valued at zero. This resulted in some co-founders leaving the company, with Ravikant and several others remaining.

After the merger, the company was renamed Shopping.com, which held an initial public offering (stock launch in 2004). After the first trading day, the company was already worth $75 million.

A lawsuit with August Capital and one of the Epinions remaining co-founders, Nirav Tolia, occurred after that. Tolia claimed that to get approval for the merger. They were misled into believing the company was only worth 23 to 38 million dollars, less than the money they gathered in outside capital.

The claim was that this made their shares worthless. The lawsuit concluded in 2003, with Ravikant emerging as the victor.

In 2007, Ravikant set the grounds for a 20 million dollar venture capital fund, which he named “The Hit Forge.” This venture capital would invest in startups like Uber, X, and Stack Overflow. This was his official start in the venture capital industry after noticing how many startups had difficulties finding the right investor.

In the same year, Ravikant became the co-writer of a blog called Venture Hacks. This blog would offer detailed advice on how the term sheets should be negotiated, which provision was bogus, and which section was important. That blog would eventually become an official company called AngelList, in 2010.

AngelList started operating as a platform where startup owners could raise funds from Angel investors. At the same time, the company operated Product Hunt. By 2022, the business reached a four billion-dollar valuation, and Ravikant would be a co-founder, former CEO, and chairman.

“Desire is a contract that you make with yourself to be unhappy until you get what you want.” ~ Naval Ravikant

Other Business Ventures

Aside from AngelList, Ravikant dabbled in other ventures. One was MetaStable Capital, a crypto hedge fund he founded in 2014. The company would own numerous cryptocurrencies such as Ethereum, Bitcoin, and Monero.
After a regulatory filing in 2017, it was reported that the company had 69 million dollars worth of assets.

In 2017, Ravikant launched the Spearhead investment fund that raised 100 million dollars so that founders could each receive one million dollars for technology investments. The first two Spearhead classes contained founders coming from 35 companies.

Ravikant also started a short podcast at Spearhead.co and Nav.al, where he would discuss business, philosophy, and investments.

Moreover, he appeared as a guest on various other podcasts, sharing his knowledge and tips on how to be a good businessperson. He was also featured in books, where he shared his philosophy on wealth and happiness.

“If you’re good with computers, if you’re good at basic mathematics, if you’re good at writing, if you’re good at speaking, and if you like reading, you’re set for life.” ~ Naval Ravikant

Personal Life

Little is known about Ravikant’s personal life, as he prefers to keep that part of his life out of the limelight. However, we know he fell in love with visual designer Krystle Cho. The couple tied the knot in 2013, and they have a son which they named Neo.

Ravikant is a believer in something he calls “rational Buddhism.” To him, this means understanding the core principles of how Buddhism should make you feel better off, happier, and more present. This significantly influenced how he approached life and business, following the three core principles: happiness, wealth, and health.

Conclusion

Naval Ravikant is a person without whom many businesses could not have started. His talent became a source of inspiration for many people wanting to be successful, and his businesses helped bring a lot of startups and investors together.

He may have had a rocky start in life, but he used his skills to climb very high on the ladder, and now, he is one of the richest men in the world.

“I don’t actually read a lot of books. I pick up a lot of books and only get through a few, which form the foundation of my knowledge.” ~ Naval Ravikant

Key Points

Naval Ravikant is a notable entrepreneur and businessman, co-founder and CEO of various companies.
He founded AngelList, a platform connecting angel investors and entrepreneurs, improving innovation.
Ravikant had a difficult childhood in an impoverished area in India, but eventually moved to the United States with his family.
He excelled academically, graduating from Stuyvesant High School and Dartmouth College.
His early career included working at DMA and co-founding Genoa Coro and Epinions.
Epinions merged with Deatime and became Shopping.com, which had a successful IPO.
Ravikant started a venture capital fund called “The Hit Forge” and co-founded AngelList, a platform for raising funds from angel investors.
He also founded MetaStable Capital, a crypto hedge fund, and launched the Spearhead investment fund.
Ravikant shares his knowledge through podcasts, guest appearances, and books.
He is married to visual designer Krystle Cho and has a son named Neo.
Ravikant follows the principles of “rational Buddhism” in his personal and business life.
His success and influence have made him one of the richest men in the world.

“A rational person can find peace by cultivating indifference to things outside their control.” ~ Naval Ravikant

Timeline of Naval Ravikant

1974:

Naval Ravikant is born in New Delhi, India, on November 5.

1978:

At the age of 4, Ravikant’s father immigrates to the United States.

1983:

Ravikant’s family joins his father in the U.S. when he is 9 years old.

1991:

Naval Ravikant graduates from Stuyvesant High School.

1995:

Ravikant begins taking classes at Dartmouth College.

1999:

Naval Ravikant co-founds Epinions, a consumer product review website.

2003:

Epinions merges with Deatime, and the company is renamed Shopping.com.

2003:

Ravikant emerges as the victor in a lawsuit with August Capital and co-founder Nirav Tolia.

2007:

Ravikant establishes “The Hit Forge,” a $20 million venture capital fund.

2007:

Naval Ravikant becomes the co-writer of the blog Venture Hacks.

2010:

Venture Hacks evolves into AngelList, a platform connecting startup owners and angel investors.

2013:

Naval Ravikant marries visual designer Krystle Cho.

2014:

Ravikant founds MetaStable Capital, a crypto hedge fund.

2017:

Naval Ravikant launches the Spearhead investment fund.

2022:

AngelList reaches a valuation of four billion dollars.

Lessons From The Life of Naval Ravikant

The lesson we can take from the life of Naval Ravikant is the importance of mentorship and role models:

Naval Ravikant was a role model and influencer for aspiring entrepreneurs.

He inspired others through his achievements and became a source of guidance and motivation. As a result, he built an audience of entrepreneurs looking to make an impact and succeed in the business world.

Naval didn’t do it for the money because when he became financially successful to the degree that he never had to worry about making money for the rest of his life, he kept working on writing and podcasts.

Offering guidance in a field you are experienced in is an excellent way to give back and improve the world. We all have something to share, and whether you do it to a small group, one-to-one, or through a large audience, it is worth doing!

Not only do you feel successful and can be proud of what you do, but you are also shaping the future of others, and that’s an important contribution you can make, even if you shape and inspire one person’s life in a positive way!

Naval Ravikant is known for being the co-founder and CEO of various companies.
He founded AngelList, a platform connecting angel investors and new entrepreneurs.
Naval Ravikant was born in New Delhi, India, on November 5, 1974.
His father immigrated to the United States when Ravikant was 4 years old.
Ravikant’s father could no longer continue his work as a pharmacist in the United States.
Ravikant’s father abandoned the family shortly after they relocated to America.
Naval Ravikant graduated from Stuyvesant High School in 1991.
He studied economics and computer science at Dartmouth College.
Ravikant worked at DMA and the Boston Consulting Group before moving to Silicon Valley.
His first startup was called Genoa Coro, which Finisar later purchased.
He co-founded Epinions, a consumer product review website.
Epinions merged with Deatime and became Shopping.com.
Ravikant co-founded “The Hit Forge,” a venture capital fund that invested in startups like Uber, X, and Stack Overflow.
He co-wrote a blog called Venture Hacks, which later became AngelList.
Ravikant founded MetaStable Capital, a crypto hedge fund.
He launched the Spearhead investment fund in 2017.
Naval Ravikant prefers to keep his personal life private.
He is married to visual designer Krystle Cho, and they have a son named Neo.
Ravikant follows a philosophy he calls “rational Buddhism” in his approach to life and business.
Naval Ravikant’s businesses have helped bring startups and investors together.
He is considered one of the richest men in the world.

Frequently Asked Questions About Naval Ravikant

The information in this post answers many of the questions about Naval Ravikant. In addition, this section provides a summary and any further information.

Who is Naval Ravikant?

Naval Ravikant is one of the most notable entrepreneurs and businessmen, known for being the co-founder and CEO of various companies.

What is Naval Ravikant known for?

Naval Ravikant is known for founding AngelList, a platform connecting angel investors and new entrepreneurs. His work helped various business enthusiasts set the grounds for a startup, improving innovation.

How did Naval Ravikant influence potential entrepreneurs?

Naval Ravikant influenced and served as a role model for various potential entrepreneurs. He worked his way up and proved that one could be successful through skill and the right ideas.

Where was Naval Ravikant born, and when?

Naval Ravikant was born in New Delhi, India, on November 5, 1974.

What was Naval Ravikant’s childhood like?

Naval Ravikant grew up in an impoverished area in an average Indian family. His father was a pharmacist, and he had a brother named Kamal.

Why did Naval Ravikant’s father immigrate to the United States?

Naval Ravikant’s father immigrated to the United States when Naval was four years old, looking for better job opportunities.

What was the impact of immigration on Naval Ravikant’s family?

Naval Ravikant’s family remained in India for the next five years, and then joined his father in the U.S. when he was nine. Due to different regulations in India and the United States, Ravikant’s father could no longer continue his work as a pharmacist and had to start over by working at a hardware store.

What challenges did Naval Ravikant face growing up in the United States?

Naval Ravikant faced difficulties growing up without his father’s support. His father abandoned the family shortly after they relocated to America, and his mother worked long hours, earning a minimum wage to support the family. Ravikant had to become independent from a young age and teach himself to be an adult.

Where did Naval Ravikant go to school?

Naval Ravikant graduated from Stuyvesant High School in 1991 and attended Dartmouth College, where he studied economics and computer science.

What were Naval Ravikant’s early career experiences?

Naval Ravikant’s first job was at DMA as part of his college’s work-study program. He also worked at the Boston Consulting Group for a limited time before moving to Silicon Valley.

What were Naval Ravikant’s first startup ventures?

Naval Ravikant’s first startup was Genoa Coro, which Finisar later purchased. His second venture was Epinions, a consumer product review website he co-founded.

What happened to Epinions after it merged with Deatime?

Epinions merged with Deatime in 2003, resulting in the formation of Shopping.com. The company had a successful initial public offering (IPO) and was valued at $75 million after the first trading day.

What legal dispute occurred after the merger of Epinions and Deatime?

A lawsuit with August Capital and one of the Epinions remaining co-founders, Nirav Tolia, occurred after the merger. The claim was that the co-founders were misled about the company’s value, resulting in their shares being valued at zero. The lawsuit concluded in 2003, with Ravikant emerging as the victor.

What is AngelList?

AngelList started as a blog called Venture Hacks in 2007, advising on negotiating term sheets and important provisions. It eventually became a platform where startup owners could raise funds from angel investors. Ravikant