Founded by Ankur and Aditi Daga, Angara Inc. is a family-started and family-run fine jewelry brand, committed to "helping the world celebrate with color." Their handcrafted jewelry is dressed in high-quality gemstones, diamonds, and pearls, and every piece is made to order.
Stevie-winner Ankur Daga, Founder and CEO of Angara, is a visionary entrepreneur whose journey is defined by a passion for gemstones and a commitment to transform the industry through a more personalized shopping experience. A Harvard graduate with a Gemological Institute of America (GIA) certification, Ankur's entrepreneurial spirit was evident even during his academic years when friends sought him out for customizing engagement rings, foreshadowing the path he would later embark upon.
A Journey Rooted in Passion
Ankur's personal journey, from combing the carpet for diamonds at the age of 5 to working in the family's wholesale gemstone business as a teen, reflects a deep connection to the industry. Despite initially choosing a different path through academia and consulting, he was driven to return to his roots by a unique combination of experiences.
Ankur's professional trajectory took an interesting turn at McKinsey & Company, where he worked as a consultant on a jewelry brand, making him realize the untapped potential of the market. Through online retail and customer-focused strategies, he set out to transform the fine jewelry industry with the power of customization.
In 2005, Ankur Daga founded Angara, combining generational expertise and cutting-edge technology. His long-term approach deliberately eschewed venture capital funding, ensuring alignment with his ambitious goals.
With features like gemstone quality, carat weight and metal choice, every jewelry piece comes in a minimum of 64 variants to suit every style and budget. Today, with its most recent "Create with Angara" (CWA) feature, Angara allows customers to design their own rings from scratch—from a plethora of gemstone options, styles, settings and precious metals–within minutes.
Ankur recognized the challenge of shifting customer mindsets towards buying fine jewelry online and strategically addressed it through this accessible, convenient, and highly personal approach, ensuring that what customers had in mind was precisely what they received.
Transforming the Industry With Color
Angara's manifesto which reads, "Color Changes Everything. For the Better," reflects Ankur's core belief. For this reason, he initiated the brand’s always-on campaign, "Celebrate with Color" to encourage people to celebrate life’s precious moments with color.
In an industry dominated by diamonds, Ankur's bold vision is to become the undisputed leader in colored gemstones, aiming to create a cultural shift, rekindling appreciation for the beauty and significance of colored gemstones that have been overshadowed for decades.
Overcoming Challenges and Vertical Integration
Ankur notably navigated challenges like lack of awareness about gemstones and customer perceptions about buying jewelry online through his vertical integration strategy. Spanning gemstone cutting, polishing, jewelry design, manufacturing, and eCommerce retail, he ensures that everything is handled by his in-house team, addressing challenges head-on.
In 2022, Ankur introduced a partnership program. In an effort to nurture entrepreneurship within the company, he is setting up smaller start-up units within Angara that are driven solely by individuals and contribute to overall success. Furthermore, he champions the empowerment of women in leadership roles, attributing the success of Angara in part to the contributions of his own mother and wife.
Looking Ahead
As colored gemstones gain a larger share of the market, Ankur envisions Angara as a name synonymous with color. The company has experienced significant growth and now has a team of around 500 members spread across 10 offices in North America, Europe, and Asia.
Angara Inc. CEO Ankur Daga won a Gold Stevie for Best Entrepreneur in Retail, and Angora Inc. earned an additional Gold and two Silver Stevies for Retail Marketing Campaign of the Year, Fastest Growing Company of the Year, and Achievement in Customer Satisfaction, respectively, in The 2024 American Business Awards®.
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