LDC Top 50 2025
Nazanin Nankali
Founder
Powertutors
Born in Iran and raised in Ukraine, Nazanin Nankali struggled at school. “I’m dyslexic and autistic. I used to hide my scorecards from my parents because I was ashamed of failing.” At nine, her mother arranged a maths tutor – a turning point. “She taught me in a way I could understand. That changed my life. Suddenly, I was good at something.”
After moving to the UK and completing a maths degree at City University, Nankali founded Surrey-based Powertutors in 2016. The agency now has a network of 200 tutors and supports around 350 children annually through personalised education. “My ambition is simple: to help children believe in themselves.”
My ambition is simple: to help children believe in themselves.”
Q&A
Who has inspired you most in your career?
I was born in Iran and moved to Ukraine when I was two. My dad was studying dentistry, so we lived in student accommodation, sharing one room and a communal toilet. Children weren’t allowed, so I had to be hidden. My mum was always looking for ways to make money. She began cooking meals for the student dorm and soon built a small food business out of the shared kitchen. Growing up with an entrepreneurial mother and an innovative father – shaped who I am today.
What’s your proudest business achievement?
For me, success isn’t about financials, it’s about impact. One young girl we supported had autism and a visual impairment. She had lost both her mother and sister and was navigating life alone. I used to drive her from Hampshire to London so she could sit her exams. Today, she has a master’s degree in law and is living independently. Stories like that are what drive me.
What do you do outside of work to relax?
At the end of last year, I came off social media. The endless scrolling was affecting my sleep, focus and mental health. I couldn’t sit through a film without checking my phone. Since switching off, my attention span has massively improved. I’ve started learning Swahili and Japanese, taken up chess, and spend more time reading and connecting with family and friends. I worry about the impact of social media on young people; we’re seeing rising levels of anxiety, bullying and a loss of creativity. I want to show how important it is to build healthier habits and find joy in things outside of screens.
