Manoj Bhargava

Manoj Bhargava is an entrepreneur, humanitarian and philanthropist, best recognized as the founder of 5-hour ENERGY®. A self-made billionaire, Bhargava leads a diverse group of ventures, including Cerezen (focused on Alzheimer’s treatment), Hans Scientific (pharmaceutical contract manufacturing), among others. His company is also the largest investor in The Arena Group, the media company behind prominent brands such as TheStreet, Parade, Men’s Journal and Athlon Sports and more.

Driven by the conviction that wealth comes with responsibility, Bhargava has pledged 99 percent of his fortune to helping others. His zero-profit business model is designed to reach as many people as possible, prioritizing empowerment over charity by delivering sustainable solutions. In 2009, he established The Hans Foundation, now one of India’s largest charitable organizations serving some of the world’s most underserved populations.

Bhargava also launched Billions in Change, a movement dedicated to developing scalable inventions that address critical human needs—such as clean water, reliable energy and basic healthcare. His humanitarian vision is focused on equipping people with the tools and systems they need to lift themselves out of poverty.

Bhargava’s business philosophy centers on simplicity and purpose. He believes that businesses should be straightforward, practical and aimed at solving real-world problems. Known for rejecting conventional business trends and fashionable innovation, his approach has led to the creation of three billion-dollar companies.

In both business and philanthropy, Bhargava remains guided by a singular principle: be useful, act with intention and strive to improve the lives of those who need it most.