Craydel co-founder Manish Sardana quit a high-flying job to start from zero

Manish Sardana's life is evidence of the power of restless ambition. Born in India, he abandoned a place at the prestigious Delhi School of Economics to pursue a high-flying career at WPP Scangroup, a marketing and communications company. Yet, after a decade of climbing the corporate ladder, he made a bold decision, to leave it all behind and start from scratch. Today, as the co-founder and CEO of Craydel, a Kenyan edtech connecting African students to global universities, Sardana's story serves as a reminder that success is not just about achieving a milestone, but about the purpose and fulfillment that comes with it.

Sardana's office at Craydel reflects his personality, open, transparent, and deliberately democratic. The operations team and engineers building the AI engine that powers the study abroad matchmaking tool are just a stone's throw away, a design choice that underscores his commitment to collaboration and trust. When asked about his decision to leave WPP Scangroup, Sardana reveals that it was driven by a deep-seated restlessness, a constant search for purpose that has defined his life. For him, success is not about achieving a certain status or wealth, but about making a meaningful impact on the lives of those around him.

Sardana's decision to stay in Africa and build Craydel from the ground up was motivated by a sense of gratitude and responsibility. Having sold his company in India and gained a successful career in Kenya, he felt a deep connection to the continent and its people. He wanted to give back, to contribute to building something lasting that would outlast him. This commitment to giving back is evidence of the power of African hospitality and generosity, which Sardana credits with shaping his values and sense of purpose.

Sardana's family has carried part of the burden of his restlessness, particularly his wife who has been married to him for 18 years. While he acknowledges that his decision to leave WPP Scangroup was not easy, he also recognizes that it was necessary for him to stay true to his vision and values. For Sardana, success is not just about achieving a certain status or wealth, but about being true to oneself and one's values.

As Craydel continues to grow and expand its reach, Sardana remains committed to his vision of connecting African students to global universities. He sees himself continuing to build, to search for the next problem to solve, until his deathbed. His story serves as a reminder that success is not a destination, but a journey, and that the true measure of success lies not in what we achieve, but in the purpose and fulfillment that comes with it.

Ultimately, Manish Sardana's story is evidence of the power of restless ambition and the importance of staying true to one's values and purpose. As Africa continues to grow and evolve, it will be interesting to see how Sardana's vision for Craydel will shape the future of education and entrepreneurship on the continent.