Ankit Agarwal (Phool Founder) Wiki, Age, Wife, Family, Biography & More

A picture of Ankit Agarwal

Ankit Agarwal is an Indian entrepreneur. He is the co-founder and CEO of the biomaterials startup named Kanpur Flowercycling Pvt. Ltd which is known by its brand name Phool. In 2017, he was named Queens Young Leader. In 2018, Ankit was listed among the achievers of Forbes 30 under 30.

Wiki/Biography

Ankit Agarwal was born in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India. He studied at Woodbine Gardenia School, Kanpur and then went on to study at Seth Anandram Jaipuria School, Kanpur. He completed his schooling at Dr.Virendra Swarup Education Center, Kidwai Nagar, Kanpur in 2007. In 2007, he enrolled in the SCTR’s Pune Institute of Computer Technology, Pune where he completed his degree in Computer Engineering in 2011. In 2012, he enrolled in Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Pune where he completed a post-graduation degree in Innovation and Corporate Entrepreneurship in 2013. [1]Linkedin – Ankit Agarwal He received fellowships at Acumen, Young Water, Gifted Citizen, The Asia 21 Young Leaders Initiative, Echoing Green, and the Royal Commonwealth Society.

Physical Appearance

Height (approx.): 5′ 5″

Hair Colour: Black

Eye Colour: Dark Brown

Ankit Agarwal photo

Family

Ankit Agarwal belongs to a Marwari family in Uttar Pradesh.

Parents & Siblings

His sister’s name is Harshita Agarwal.

Ankit Agarwal's father

Ankit Agarwal’s father

Ankit Agarwal's sister

Ankit Agarwal with his sister

Wife & Children

In 2016, Ankit Agarwal married Ridhima Modi Agarwal. She works as the head of the Finance and Governance team in the company Phool.

Ankit Agarwal with Ridhima Modi Agarwal

Ankit Agarwal with Ridhima Modi Agarwal

Relationships/Affairs

Ankit Agarwal dated Ridhima Modi before getting married in 2016.

Ridhima Modi with Ankit Agarwal

Ridhima Modi with Ankit Agarwal

Career

Corporate

Ankit Agarwal worked as a project intern at Symantec for 7 months from October 2010 to April 2011. In July 2011, he joined the company Uniken as a Research Engineer. He left the job after four months and joined the company Symantec as an Automation Engineer in November 2011 and worked there until December 2014. He worked at the Oikos Foundation from April 2014 to October 2017 as an Executive Board member in Switzerland.

Business

In May 2015, Ankit Agarwal along with childhood friend Karan Rastogi started the business venture Help Us Green with a capital of Rs.80,000.

Ankit Agarwal with Karan Rastogi 2

Ankit Agarwal with Karan Rastogi

In 2017, Ankit Agarwal and Prateek Kumar founded the company Flowering Cycle Pvt.Ltd in Kanpur, India and gave the brand name Phool.

Ankit Agarwal with Prateek Kumar standing in front of the goods of Phool

Ankit Agarwal with Prateek Kumar standing in front of the goods of Phool

The company’s vision was to recycle the flowers thrown in rivers after worshipping gods in temples. The floral waste is collected and used in making charcoal-free incense sticks, essential oils, soaps, and vermicompost. They have found the idea to turn waste flowers into leather-type material similar to animal leather and can be used for different purposes. The material is known as “Fleather.” They have also employed underprivileged women across the country.

Workers at Phool

Workers at Phool

In its initial phase, Phool managed to raise a fund of Rs. 3.38 crore from companies like Social Alpha, Draper Richards Kaplan (DRK) Foundation, and IIT Kanpur, in 2020. According to sources, the company has plans to expand its business outside India such as in Germany and Switzerland as the profit rates are higher in these countries compared to India.

Awards, Honours & Achievements

  • Spirit of Manufacturing Award (2016)
  • Forbes 30 under 30 (2018)
  • The Takeda Young Global Entrepreneur Award (2018)
  • Unilever Young Entrepreneurs Award (2018)
  • The GSG Millennial Honor (2018)
  • The UN Global Climate Action Award (2018)
  • Uththaan – a Startup Nirman Award (2018)

    Ankit Agarwal receiving Uththan - a startup Nirman Award

    Ankit Agarwal receiving Uththan – a startup Nirman Award

  • Fast Company World-Changing Idea Award (2018)
  • The United Nations Young Leader for Sustainable Development Goals Award (2018)
  • PETA India Award (2020)

    Ankit Agarwal receiving the PETA Award

    Ankit Agarwal receiving the PETA Award

  • BIRAC Innovation Challenge Award (2021)
  • 100 Pipers True Legend – The Future of Young India Award (2022)
  • Finalist of Earthshot Prize (2022)

Facts/Trivia

  • Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt is an investor with a 5% stake in his company Phool.

    Ankit Agarwal holding a Phool product with Alia Bhatt

    Ankit Agarwal holding a Phool product with Alia Bhatt

  • He likes travelling. Some of his favourite travel destinations are Paris, Australia, South Korea, and Thailand.
  • He drinks alcohol occasionally.

    Ankit Agarwal having a drink with friends

    Ankit Agarwal having a drink with friends

  • As of 2023, Ankit has 9 stocks worth Rs. 71 crore. [2]Trendlyne

References[+]

Add Comment

Don`t copy text!