Nikhil Kamath has emerged as one of the most talked-about figures in India’s business and startup space over the past decade. Known as the co-founder of Zerodha, the country’s largest retail stock brokerage platform by trading volume, Kamath represents a new generation of entrepreneurs who built large businesses without elite degrees, inherited capital, or traditional corporate careers. His journey from a school dropout earning a modest salary to becoming one of India’s youngest self-made billionaires has drawn wide attention, not only for its financial success but also for the ideas and risks that shaped it. By December 2025, Forbes estimates his net worth at around $3.3 billion, placing him among the wealthiest individuals in the country.
Born on September 5, 1986, in Shimoga, Karnataka, Nikhil Kamath grew up in a middle-class household that valued discipline and learning. His family speaks Kannada and Konkani, and he was raised in a Hindu home where music, education, and work ethics played a role in daily life. His father, Raghuram Kamath, worked as an executive at Canara Bank, giving the family exposure to the world of finance from a stable and traditional viewpoint. His mother, Revathi Kamath, built a career as an event manager and designer while also being trained in classical music as a veena player. Nikhil’s older brother, Nithin Kamath, would later become his closest business partner and a central figure in his professional life.
Kamath’s early education followed a regular path until his teenage years. He attended school in Karnataka but struggled to connect with the rigid academic system. After completing the tenth grade, he made the unusual decision to drop out of school. This choice, often seen as risky in a country where formal education is highly valued, marked a turning point. At the age of 17, he began working at a call centre in Bengaluru, earning about ₹8,000 a month. While the job helped support him financially, his real interest lay elsewhere. During off hours, he spent time learning about stock markets, trading strategies, and the basics of investing, largely through self-study and practical experience.
His early exposure to trading came through observation and small experiments. As a teenager, Kamath began trading equities with limited capital, slowly building confidence and skill. He managed investments for family members and friends, gaining trust through steady results rather than flashy promises. These early years taught him lessons about market psychology, risk control, and patience, lessons that would later shape the business decisions behind Zerodha. Unlike many traders who rely on tips or speculation, Kamath focused on understanding price movements and long-term patterns.
In 2006, Nikhil and his brother Nithin co-founded Kamath Associates, a small trading and investment firm. The venture allowed them to trade proprietary capital and manage funds for a limited group of clients. While the firm did not gain national attention, it laid the groundwork for their future plans. It also helped them understand the gaps in India’s brokerage system, which at the time was dominated by high fees, complex processes, and limited access for ordinary retail investors.
The real breakthrough came in 2010 with the launch of Zerodha. The Kamath brothers introduced a discount brokerage model that charged low, flat fees instead of percentage-based commissions. For delivery trades, Zerodha removed brokerage charges altogether, a move that challenged long-standing industry practices. The aim was simple: make investing affordable and accessible for more Indians. At a time when online trading platforms were still gaining acceptance, Zerodha focused on technology, transparency, and cost control.
Zerodha’s growth was steady rather than explosive in its early years. The company remained bootstrapped, choosing not to raise venture capital funding. This decision gave the founders full control over operations and long-term direction. Over time, Zerodha built a strong user base, driven by word of mouth and a focus on customer experience. By keeping costs low and systems efficient, the company achieved high profitability while expanding its reach across the country. Today, Zerodha handles millions of trades daily and is widely seen as a key force behind the rise of retail investing in India.
Beyond Zerodha, Kamath expanded his interests into asset management and startup funding. In 2019 and 2020, he co-founded True Beacon, an asset management firm designed for ultra-high-net-worth individuals. The firm focuses on structured and risk-managed investment strategies, catering to clients seeking stable returns rather than speculation. This move reflected Kamath’s belief in disciplined capital management and long-term planning.
In 2021, Kamath partnered with Abhijeet Pai to launch Gruhas, a fund focused on property technology, sustainability-driven ventures, and consumer brands. Through Gruhas, he backed startups that address housing, urban living, and resource efficiency, areas he sees as vital for India’s future. At the same time, he continued to play an active role in Rainmatter, Zerodha’s fintech-focused incubator, and WTFund, a program aimed at supporting young founders under the age of 25.
Kamath has also built a strong profile as an angel investor, backing more than 30 startups across sectors such as jewellery, food, aviation, and digital services. Companies like BlueStone and Licious count him among their early supporters. In sports and entertainment, he co-owns a Bengaluru-based franchise in the Global E-Cricket Premier League, reflecting his interest in new-age formats that blend gaming and competition.
In 2025, Kamath drew attention with the launch of The Foundery, a 90-day residential venture studio created in partnership with retail veteran Kishore Biyani. The program is designed to support early-stage consumer startups through mentorship, funding, and hands-on involvement, including opportunities for co-founder roles. The initiative reflects Kamath’s belief in building businesses from the ground up, guided by real-world experience rather than theory alone.
Kamath is also widely known for his podcast work. He hosts “WTF is,” a casual discussion series on topics ranging from technology to philosophy, and “People by WTF,” a long-form interview show featuring global leaders. In 2025, his podcast guest list included figures such as Elon Musk, Ray Dalio, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Bill Gates. These conversations have drawn large audiences and placed Kamath at the centre of public discussions on the future of work, economics, and society.
On the personal front, Kamath maintains a relatively private life. He was previously married to Amanda Puravankara, an executive from a real estate business family, with the marriage lasting from 2019 to around 2022. The couple has no children. His current relationship status has not been officially confirmed, though he has occasionally been linked by media reports to public figures. Kamath is known to enjoy chess, reading, and collecting books, with a personal library of over 500 titles. He also has several tattoos, including phrases such as “Shalom” and “BE HERE NOW,” reflecting his interest in mindfulness and personal growth. He owns a pet dog named Hope.
