Manoj Bhargava

$1.50 B

Ranked #974 in World

About Manoj Bhargava

Indian American entrepreneur and philanthropist, Manoj Bhargava, founder and CEO of Innovations Ventures LLC, best known for the 5-hour Energy drink, has made significant strides in both the business and philanthropic worlds. Born in Lucknow, India, in 1953 and later moving to the US, Bhargava's journey from attending The Hill School on a scholarship to becoming a notable figure in the energy drink market is remarkable. With a net worth once estimated at $1.5 billion, he pledged 99% of his wealth in 2015 to aid the less fortunate globally. His career spans various ventures, including founding Chemicalpartners.com and financing Bleecker Street film distribution. Recently named interim chief executive of Sports Illustrated magazine in 2023, Bhargava's diverse portfolio showcases his multifaceted career and commitment to philanthropy, including his involvement in the Giving Pledge campaign and initiatives like distributing power-generating bikes to rural India.

Born

March 01, 1953 in Lucknow, India

Age

73 years

Source Of Wealth

5-Hour Energy

Industries

Food And Beverage

Citizenship

United States

Residence

Farmington Hills, MI

Education

Drop Out, Princeton University

Spouse

Sadhna Bhargav

Children

Manoj Bhargava was born on January 8, 1953, in Lucknow, India. In 1967, at the age of 14, he moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States. Bhargava attended The Hill School on a math scholarship and later studied at Princeton University for one year in 1972.

Manoj Bhargava: Family

Manoj Bhargava is married and has one child. He currently resides in Farmington Hills, Michigan, United States.

Manoj Bhargava: Career Highlights

After college, Bhargava spent 12 years traveling to and from monasteries in India. He then worked various middle-class office and construction jobs in the United States and India. In 1990, he purchased a company that produced parts for outdoor furniture, which he later sold in 2006.

Bhargava founded Chemicalpartners.com, specializing in inventions and new business ideas. In 2003, he created Innovations Ventures LLC (dba Living Essentials LLC) and launched the highly successful 5-hour Energy drink. By 2012, retail sales of 5-hour Energy reached an estimated $1 billion.

Bhargava has established various entities and funds to support new ventures, including MicroDose Life Sciences, Stage 2 Innovations LLC, ETC Capital LLC, Plymouth Real Estate Holdings LLC, and Oakland Energy and Water Ventures. He also financed Bleecker Street, a New York City-based film distribution company, in 2014.

In January 2022, Bhargava acquired 90% of Freelancer Television Broadcasting, including NewsNet and television stations WMNN-LD and WXII-LD, through his company MBX Wyoming Inc. In 2023, he launched several hydration drink brands – True Hydration, Cellular Hydration, and Natural Glow Hydration – and acquired a majority stake in Ross Levinsohn's The Arena Group, owner of several magazine brands, including Sports Illustrated.

Manoj Bhargava: Companies

Innovations Ventures LLC (dba Living Essentials LLC)
Chemicalpartners.com
MicroDose Life Sciences
Stage 2 Innovations LLC
ETC Capital LLC
Plymouth Real Estate Holdings LLC
Oakland Energy and Water Ventures
Bleecker Street
MBX Wyoming Inc.
The Arena Group

Manoj Bhargava: Major Achievements

Founder and CEO of Innovations Ventures LLC (dba Living Essentials LLC)
Creator of the 5-hour Energy drink
Pledged 99% of his net worth to improve the well-being of the world's less fortunate in 2015
Named interim chief executive of Sports Illustrated magazine in 2023

Manoj Bhargava: Awards & Achievements

Manoj Bhargava has not received any notable awards or recognitions.

Manoj Bhargava: Personal Life & Legacy

Manoj Bhargava is known for his philanthropic efforts.

He is a member of the Giving Pledge campaign and has pledged 99% of his wealth to philanthropic causes. Bhargava has established foundations such as the Hans Foundation and Rural India Supporting Trust. He plans to distribute 10,000 stationary, power-generating bikes to rural homes and villages in India.

Manoj Bhargava: Trivia

Bhargava's net worth was estimated at $1.5 billion in 2013, but he dropped from Forbes' billionaire list in 2014.
The documentary "Billions in Change" reported a net worth of over $4 billion, though the figure remains unverified.
Innovations Ventures has been involved in numerous court cases against competitors, suppliers, and associates.

Wealth History

Timeline

1953

Manoj Bhargava was born in Lucknow, India.

1967

Manoj Bhargava moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US.

1972

Manoj Bhargava attended Princeton University for one year.

1990

Manoj Bhargava purchased a company that produced parts for outdoor furniture.

2003

Manoj Bhargava created Innovations Ventures LLC (dba Living Essentials LLC) and launched 5-hour Energy.

2006

Manoj Bhargava sold Prime PVC Inc.

2012

Retail sales of 5-hour Energy reached an estimated $1 billion.

2013

Manoj Bhargava's net worth was estimated at $1.5 billion.

2014

Manoj Bhargava dropped from Forbes' billionaire list.

2015

Manoj Bhargava pledged 99% of his wealth to philanthropic causes.

2022

Manoj Bhargava acquired 90% of Freelancer Television Broadcasting, including NewsNet and television stations WMNN-LD and WXII-LD, through his company MBX Wyoming Inc.

2023

Manoj Bhargava launched several hydration drink brands – True Hydration, Cellular Hydration, and Natural Glow Hydration.

2023

Manoj Bhargava acquired a majority stake in Ross Levinsohn's The Arena Group, owner of several magazine brands.

Manoj Bhargava : FAQs

What is Manoj Bhargava's net worth?

As of 2013, Manoj Bhargava's net worth was $1.50 billion.

What are Manoj Bhargava's main sources of wealth?

Manoj Bhargava's main source of income comes from 5-Hour Energy.

In which industry does Manoj Bhargava primarily operate?

Manoj Bhargava is primarily involved in the Food And Beverage industry.

What is Manoj Bhargava educational background?

Manoj Bhargava is a dropout from Princeton University.

How old is Manoj Bhargava?

Manoj Bhargava is 73 years old.

How many children does Manoj Bhargava have?

Manoj Bhargava has 1 children.

Who is Manoj Bhargava and what is he known for?

Manoj Bhargava is an Indian American businessman and philanthropist, best known as the founder and CEO of Innovations Ventures LLC, the company behind the 5-hour Energy drink. He has also pledged 99% of his net worth to philanthropic causes.

What significant pledge did Manoj Bhargava make in 2015?

In 2015, Manoj Bhargava pledged to donate 99% of his net worth to improve the well-being of the world's less fortunate, aligning with his philanthropic goals.

Can you outline Manoj Bhargava's career path leading up to the creation of 5-hour Energy?

After spending 12 years in monasteries in India, Manoj Bhargava worked various jobs, joined his parents' manufacturing company, and then ventured into business by purchasing a company in 1990. He founded Innovations Ventures LLC and launched 5-hour Energy in 2003, which became a significant success.

How has Manoj Bhargava contributed to philanthropy and recent business developments?

Beyond his Giving Pledge commitment, Bhargava has established foundations like the Hans Foundation. Recently, he acquired Freelancer Television Broadcasting and launched hydration drink brands, showcasing his ongoing entrepreneurial and philanthropic efforts.