“Ultimately, businesses that don’t consider their broader impact will be left behind, not just by consumers, but by the market itself.”
The 38-year-old Nikhil Kamath, hailing from Karnataka, is the co-founder of Zerodha, True Beacon and Gruhas. A less known fact about Nikhi is that he has always been a little unconventional in his approach and is a school dropout after 10 and has no formal degree.
Nikhil had always had the entrepreneurial spark in him since childhood. It was when he was in 9th standard that Nikhil got a taste of business when he got the opportunity to buy and sell phones. Even though it started small, the side hustle gave him enough to reinvest his earnings for growth. However, he soon had to stop when his mother got to know about his little side hustle.
Despite the lack of formal schooling, what helped Nikhil build his own path was reading extensively on his own, which compensated for what he would have learned in school and universities. Nikhil began his professional journey in 2006 as a sub-broker and launched Kamath & Associates with his brother, Nithin Kamath.
His other venture, True Beacon, co-founded in 2020, was launched as an asset management firm for ultra-high-net-worth individuals. Meanwhile, Gruhas, launched in 2021, focused more on real-estate investments and prop-tech. In 2023, Nikhil also launched his own podcast, ‘WTF is,’ where he interviews public figures and entrepreneurs.
About Zerodha
The Kamath brothers’ second venture, Zerodha, was launched in 2010 with a mission to break away from the barriers that hinder traders and investors, offering a seamless and affordable platform for their financial growth.
In terms of where the name came from, the company’s name “Zerodha” reflects the visionary approach of both founders. By combining the concept of “Zero” with “Rodha,” the Sanskrit word for barrier, the Kamath brothers’ decision to choose the name suggests their commitment to reducing and eliminating the barriers often faced in the Indian trading ecosystem.
Through its disruptive pricing models and modern technology, Zerodha has achieved remarkable success, emerging as the largest stockbroker in India in terms of active retail clients. With a staggering client base of over 7.96 million individuals, Zerodha has become the go-to choice for traders and investors across the country.
The impact of Zerodha’s innovation and user-centric approach is evident in the sheer volume of daily transactions. Millions of orders are executed through Zerodha’s investment platforms, accounting for a remarkable 15% of all Indian retail trading volumes.
Nikhil as a Philanthropist
Also known to be a philanthropist, Kamath has pledged 50 percent of his wealth to causes through The Giving Pledge. As of 2025, his net worth stands at 260 crores USD. In 2021, he was also part of a charity chess match against Viswanathan Anand.
Major Wins
Some of Nikhil’s major wins include being recognised as Entrepreneur of the Year 2016 by Economic Times. He has also made it to Forbes 30 Under 30 and Billionaire Lists 2020 and 2023. He was also featured in the Self-Made Rich List in 2022. Some of his game-changing investments are Licious, Third Wave Coffee Roasters, and Nas Academy.
Crucial Takeaways
What does it take for a startup to be successful? Nikhil suggests a simple formula to identify businesses that are bound to succeed. He says,
“Ultimately, businesses that don’t consider their broader impact will be left behind, not just by consumers, but by the market itself. When I look at startups beyond the usual metrics like scalability and market size, I’m asking: Does this solve a real problem? Does it make a tangible difference to people’s lives? If it’s environmentally or socially relevant, it’s a win-win.”
