Varun Agarwal

Varun Agarwal is an Indian first-generation entrepreneur, film maker and author. Born on Decem-
ber 6, 1987, in Bangalore, India, he did his schooling from Bishop Cotton Boys' School and started
engineering in CMR Institute of Technology Bangalore, Karnataka. During his college days, he
started making short films. He co-founded Alma Mater and two other companies — Reticular and
Last Minute Films. He is also the author of a bestseller book How I Braved Anu Aunty and Co-
Founded A Million Dollar Company. The pursuit of his interests brought about collaborations with
A.R. Rahman, Preity Zinta, and many others.

Like lakhs of other students in India, Agarwal, during his education, went through a period of emo-
tional upheaval, because he wasn’t allowed to do what he really wanted. Put through four long years
of engineering, he highlights what is commonplace but never spoken of among children forced into
professions they don’t have an interest in – the emotional toll it takes upon them, and the extent of
depression and anxiety it induces, something which has even driven many students to suicide in In-
dia.

As someone who was lucky enough to learn from his failure during engineering, Agarwal, through
his story, inspires us to fight the status quo, and do what we believe in and truly enjoy. “Don’t
think,” he says, referring to not thinking about what the society forces down our throats. Instead, he
says it is ourselves and our happiness that we eventually have to work towards, because ultimately,
doing what we want to do is what will truly make us successful.

After his high school he decided to become a film maker, however he was brought down by the so-
cietal norms and was asked to do become an engineer. Being an above average student, failing engi-
neering for the first time was an eye opener for him. After graduating from Engineering he went to
work for this production company called Phat Phish Productions where he got a chance to work
with stars.

The second part of his life began when he along with one his friend decided to spread his sweatshirt
business across India. And again, he was bought down by the society which made him feel insecure.
However, he decided to take a chance and co-founded Alma Mater, an online store providing ap-
parel and memorabilia to the alumni community of schools and colleges across India, back in 2009.
He then shot to fame when his book ‘How I braved Anu Aunty and co-founded a million dollar
company’ went on to become a bestseller. The book turned out to be a great way to promote Alma
Mater and it also paved the way for the multiple speaker slots for Varun at the best colleges across
India.

Varun has spoken at more than a 100 colleges in the last few months, talking mainly about en-
trepreneurship. At 27, Varun became a household name with the youngsters across the country. In a
world where everyone around us want us to "think" and follow the conventional route to success,
Varun Agarwal shares a very different mantra of success -- "Don't think.”
References:

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMPqsjuXDmE
• https://yourstory.com/2014/03/varun-agarwal-lenovo/
• https://www.youthkiawaaz.com/2016/12/varun-agarwal-alma-mater-ink-talk/
• http://www.inktalks.com/discover/656/varun-agarwal-from-failing-in-engineering-to-co-found-
ing-a-million-dollar-company