Akshay Ruparelia: The Teen Entrepreneur Who Built a £12 Million Business

Introduction

Akshay Ruparelia is a British-Indian entrepreneur, investor and business speaker. He became famous for founding Doorsteps.co.uk, an online estate agency, while still a teenager.

His idea was surprisingly simple. Selling a house shouldn’t cost thousands.

By 2017, his company had reached a reported £12 million valuation. He was only 19. Newspapers started calling him one of Britain’s youngest self-made millionaires.

But his story didn’t end there.

He later left Doorsteps, started other businesses and moved into artificial intelligence. Today, he works across technology, entrepreneurship and business communities.

Quick Facts

Detail	Information
Full name	Akshay Kumar Kaushik Ruparelia
Known as	Akshay Ruparelia
Birth month and year	July 1998
Age in 2026	28 years
Nationality	British
Family background	Indian, Gujarati heritage
Profession	Entrepreneur, investor and business speaker
Famous for	Founding Doorsteps.co.uk
School	Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet
University education	Chose business instead of taking his UCL place
First major company	Doorsteps.co.uk
Other ventures	AKR Growth, 1 Club, Brdge AI, Courtside Padel
Major recognition	Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe, 2021
Marital status	Married, publicly confirmed in 2026
Current net worth	Not independently verified

Early Life and Family Background

His childhood was different from most.

Born in July 1998, he grew up in a British family with Indian roots. His parents are both deaf.

That brought extra responsibilities at home.

From a young age, he helped his parents with everyday tasks. He learned to handle situations that other children might never face.

His father worked as a care worker. His mother worked as a teaching assistant.

Money wasn’t always easy either.

He has spoken about receiving free school meals and seeing his parents work hard to support the family.

These experiences influenced his attitude towards business. He wanted financial independence. He also wanted to help his family.

Growing up as a young carer taught him practical skills. He learned to communicate, manage responsibilities and make decisions.

He has continued speaking about these experiences throughout his career.

Education and School Life

He attended Queen Elizabeth’s School in Barnet, London, from 2009 to 2016.

He was interested in business early.

While other pupils focused on ordinary school activities, he tried selling small products. These included sweets, colognes and portable phone chargers.

He also developed business ideas.

One early project involved a property application called HouseSmart. The concept didn’t become his breakthrough business, but the work helped him understand the property market.

Then came a bigger decision.

After finishing his A-levels in 2016, he secured a place to study Economics at University College London.

He chose not to take it.

His online estate agency was gaining investors. He believed the business needed his full attention.

His former school confirmed this decision.

Some later reports mention Oxford University. However, the school’s own account specifically identifies University College London as the place he secured.

He has since taken part in business education programmes, including the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses programme associated with Oxford’s Saïd Business School.

How His First Business Started

The idea came from a family experience.

When his family moved house, he became interested in estate-agent fees.

Why did selling property cost so much?

He began looking at traditional estate agencies. Many charged a percentage of the property’s selling price.

That could mean thousands of pounds.

He wanted another option.

While studying, he read about Ryanair and its low-cost business approach. The idea of offering a basic service at a much lower price caught his attention.

He applied that thinking to property sales.

Instead of relying on expensive high-street offices, he planned to use a website, remote support and local representatives.

The business later became Doorsteps.co.uk.

Founding Doorsteps at Just 17

Doorsteps was founded in 2016.

He was only 17 years old.

Early reports say he borrowed around £7,000 from relatives to help build the website.

The company offered an online service for people selling their homes. One of its early packages advertised a fixed £99 fee.

The price caught attention.

Traditional agents often charged substantially more, depending on the property and services provided.

His company offered a different choice.

Customers could arrange property listings online and select additional services. The company used technology and a network of people rather than depending entirely on physical offices.

But finding customers was tough.

He had little experience. He was still young. People needed to trust him with expensive property transactions.

So he had to prove himself.

The Story Behind His First Property Sale

One early customer lived in Sussex.

The customer wanted help selling a house and some land.

There was one problem.

The young founder couldn’t drive.

According to his account, he paid his sister’s boyfriend £40 to take him to the property.

He took photographs and prepared the listing.

The property and land reportedly sold within three weeks.

That first experience helped build confidence.

He was still balancing school responsibilities. During lessons, a call-answering service handled customer enquiries.

He returned calls after classes.

It wasn’t a typical school routine.

How the Company Grew So Quickly

Doorsteps soon started getting attention.

The low-fee business model attracted customers, investors and journalists.

During 2017, the company secured significant outside funding. His former school reported an initial £100,000 investment and a crowdfunding campaign targeting £400,000.

The campaign reached that target.

By October 2017, Doorsteps had a reported valuation of £12 million.

That changed everything.

Newspapers covered his story. Television programmes invited him to talk. He became known as the teenager who built a valuable property company while studying.

The business continued growing.

His official biography says Doorsteps handled property sales worth more than £1 billion during its earlier years.

Forbes reported that the company had raised £1.4 million by 2021.

The same Forbes profile stated that the business generated more than $2 million in revenue during 2020 and reached profitability for the first time.

These were major milestones for the company.

Still, there is an important difference. The total value of houses sold was not company revenue, and the reported company valuation was not money sitting in his personal bank account.

Why He Became Famous

His age played a big part.

He had started a company before many people finished their education.

The business then received a multimillion-pound valuation.

That combination attracted public interest.

Media outlets described him as one of the UK’s youngest self-made millionaires.

But the label needs context.

His reported wealth was largely connected to the estimated value of his business ownership.

It did not mean he personally received £12 million in cash.

He later spoke publicly about this difference.

His career became a popular example of young entrepreneurship, especially for people interested in starting companies with limited resources.

Why He Left Doorsteps

Business success doesn’t prevent disagreements.

In 2021, he left Doorsteps after differences over the company’s future direction.

Companies House records show that he resigned as a director of Upside Capital Ltd, the company behind Doorsteps, on 30 April 2021.

The decision ended his leadership role.

He later discussed leaving the company and suggested that differences in business strategy influenced his departure.

Doorsteps continued without him.

However, the company eventually faced serious financial problems.

In November 2022, property industry publications reported that Doorsteps had entered liquidation.

By 27 April 2026, Upside Capital Ltd had been formally dissolved, according to Companies House.

This timeline matters.

He had already left the business before its liquidation.

The closure became part of the company’s history, but it happened after his departure.

Life After Doorsteps

Leaving his first big business didn’t end his career.

He began working on other ideas.

His attention moved towards supporting founders, building communities and developing technology companies.

He also became more involved in mentoring.

Rather than returning exclusively to estate agency, he started working across different industries.

AKR Growth

AKR Growth focused on helping young people and supporting businesses.

Its work included training, employment support and startup-related services.

His official biography describes it as a social enterprise created to help young people, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The aim was practical.

Help people learn skills. Help them find work. Give new entrepreneurs support.

UK company records also show his involvement in AKR Growth Community Interest Company.

1 Club

He later co-founded 1 Club, a private membership community for entrepreneurs and business leaders.

The organisation was founded in 2022.

It brings together founders, professionals and people interested in business.

Its activities include events and networking opportunities.

The idea is to help members meet others, share experiences and develop professional relationships.

His official website identifies him as a co-founder and CEO.

Brdge AI

Technology became another major focus.

In 2024, he co-founded Brdge with Saachin Bhatt.

The London-based business works in applied artificial intelligence, consulting and venture building.

It helps organisations plan and develop AI-related products and services.

Its work also includes helping early-stage businesses develop new ideas.

He serves as co-founder and CEO.

Brdge describes itself as a business that builds working technology rather than providing advice alone.

According to its official website, the company has worked on more than 50 projects through its wider network.

These figures are company-reported.

Courtside Padel

His business interests now include sport.

Courtside Padel is developing padel facilities and community spaces in the United Kingdom.

The company’s website lists him as CEO.

Companies House confirms his involvement in Courtside Padel Holdings Ltd, which was incorporated on 29 December 2025.

The company plans to build spaces where people can play padel and meet others.

This marks another change in his career, moving from property technology into physical sports facilities.

Awards and Career Recognition

His early business success brought several public recognitions.

One of the biggest came in 2021.

He was selected for the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe list in the Technology category.

Forbes highlighted Doorsteps, its low-fee business model, funding and revenue.

His former school also celebrated the achievement.

He has appeared in business publications and has given interviews about entrepreneurship.

He has also spoken at events about leadership, starting businesses and dealing with setbacks.

In March 2023, he delivered a TEDxYouth@HABS talk titled Be the editor of your life story.

The talk discussed personal choices and taking responsibility for the direction of one’s life.

Charity and Social Work

His work has not stayed within business.

He has supported causes related to young people, education and disability.

His official biography describes his involvement with the Royal Association for Deaf People.

That connection is personal.

Both his parents are deaf, and he grew up understanding many of the difficulties faced by deaf families.

He has also been involved with The Prince’s Trust RISE campaign and the Jobs Foundation.

His work has included supporting employment opportunities and encouraging young people to start businesses.

These activities reflect interests he has discussed publicly for years.

Is He Married?

Yes, he has publicly confirmed his marriage.

In a LinkedIn update visible in October 2026, he shared that he had married about a month earlier.

He described the marriage as an important personal achievement.

However, the sources checked for this article do not reliably establish his wife’s name.

His private family life is not heavily documented.

It is better to leave out uncertain details than publish names or claims without reliable evidence.

What Is His Net Worth in 2026?

There is no independently verified figure for his current personal net worth.

Older publications reported large amounts.

For example, Doorsteps was valued at approximately £12 million in 2017, with another reported valuation of £18 million appearing in later coverage.

Those figures referred to the company.

They were not confirmed personal cash holdings.

Some historical wealth estimates also appeared in media reports, but they cannot establish his financial position today.

Doorsteps later closed, and he now works through other businesses.

The value of his current ownership interests and personal assets has not been independently established.

So any precise 2026 net worth figure should be treated with caution.

What Is He Doing in 2026?

He continues working as an entrepreneur.

Much of his public business activity centres on Brdge AI and 1 Club.

He is also involved in Courtside Padel.

His recent professional posts discuss business events, artificial intelligence, education and helping startup founders.

In one 2026 update, he mentioned plans for a Brdge Labs accelerator and an entrepreneurship education session involving students at Queen Elizabeth’s School Dubai.

He remains active in speaking and business development.

His work today is different from the property business that first made him famous.

But starting companies remains his main focus.

What Makes His Career Interesting?

His first company started unusually early.

He was still a school pupil.

He had family responsibilities, limited money and little practical experience in property sales.

Yet he found a business idea and tested it.

Doorsteps attracted investment and national attention.

Then came a harder chapter.

He left the company he had started. The business later entered liquidation.

He moved into new industries.

That full history matters because business careers rarely follow a straight line.

His story includes both commercial success and a company that ultimately closed.

It also shows how his interests changed as he gained experience.

Final Thought

Akshay Ruparelia became known for starting Doorsteps at 17 and building a company that once held a reported £12 million valuation.

That early success made headlines.

But his career has continued beyond that first business.

After leaving Doorsteps, he became involved in social enterprise, networking communities and artificial intelligence.

Today, he is building businesses in technology and sport.

His story shows what can happen when a young founder spots a problem, tests an idea and keeps working after the first chapter ends.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who is Akshay Ruparelia?

He is a British-Indian entrepreneur known for founding Doorsteps.co.uk while still a teenager. He later became involved in Brdge AI and other businesses.

2. How old is he in 2026?

He is 28 years old. Companies House records confirm his birth month and year as July 1998.

3. What company made him famous?

Doorsteps.co.uk made him famous. It was an online estate agency that offered low-cost, fixed-fee property-selling services.

4. Where did he study?

He attended Queen Elizabeth’s School in Barnet. He later chose to pursue business instead of taking his university place at UCL.

5. Why did he leave Doorsteps?

He stepped down in 2021 following differences over the company’s future direction. The business entered liquidation after he left.

6. Is he married?

Yes. He publicly announced his marriage in a 2026 LinkedIn update.

7. What is his net worth?

His present net worth has not been independently verified. Historic company valuations do not establish his current personal wealth.

8. What businesses does he run now?

His publicly documented business interests include Brdge AI, 1 Club and Courtside Padel. He has also been involved with AKR Growth.

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