Manoj Bhargava is an Indian-American entrepreneur and philanthropist. He is the founder of 5-hour Energy drink, a company that manufactures and distributes energy drinks.
Bhargava was born in Lucknow, India. His father was a civil engineer who worked for the Indian government. Bhargava attended the University of Delhi where he studied chemical engineering and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1978. He then attended the University of Pittsburgh where he earned his master’s degree in 1982.
The company, named Avanti Polymers, was founded in 1977 by Bhargava’s father. Initially, it produced plastic chemicals for the medical industry. When his parents wanted to retire and wanted Bhargava to take over the company, he refused. He then went on to live an ascetic life for 12 years first as a Hindu monk and then as a Jain monk before re-joining his father’s company. couple of years later, he was running the company.
Bhargava’s Billion-Dollar Energy Drink Idea
It was during his visit to this tradeshow back in 2004, he came across an energy drink that was full of sugar and other unknown stimulants and he was determined ever since to sell an affordable less fluid ounces energy drink without sugar and other stimulants.
Bhargava founded 5-hour Energy drink in 2004 after he became frustrated with his inability to stay awake during long drives from New York to Michigan for work. The company has since grown into one of the largest energy drink companies in North America. 5 hour energy drink hit $1billion in sales in 2011 and in 2013 Bhargava becomes a billionaire.
Bhargava has an estimated net worth of $3 billion as of 2022. He commits most of his earnings to charity
