Nikhil Kamath

Nikhil Kamath (born September 5, 1986) is an Indian entrepreneur, investor, and media personality who co-founded Zerodha, India's largest retail stockbroking company, along with his brother Nithin Kamath in 2010. A school dropout who left education at age 14, Kamath built a multi-billion dollar business empire that revolutionized the Indian financial services industry by introducing discount brokerage to the country. As of December 2025, he has an estimated net worth of $3.3 billion according to Forbes, making him one of India's youngest billionaires.

Beyond Zerodha, Kamath has founded multiple ventures including True Beacon, an asset management company for ultra-high-net-worth individuals, and Gruhas, an investment firm focused on climate tech, sustainability, and proptech startups. In March 2024, he launched "WTF Is" (later rebranded as "People by WTF"), a podcast that has featured interviews with Prime Minister Narendra Modi (his first-ever podcast appearance), Bill Gates, Elon Musk, and Ted Sarandos, among other global leaders, making it one of India's most influential media properties.

In June 2023, Kamath became the youngest Indian to sign The Giving Pledge, committing to donate 50% of his wealth to charitable causes focused on climate change, education, and healthcare. His unconventional journey from a chess-playing school dropout working in a call centre to becoming one of India's most successful entrepreneurs has made him an iconic figure in Indian business culture and a role model for a generation of young Indians who see alternative paths to success beyond traditional education.

Early life and family

Family background

Nikhil Kamath was born on September 5, 1986, in Shimoga, a city in the Malnad region of Karnataka, India. He was raised in Bengaluru (Bangalore), Karnataka, in a middle-class Konkani-Kannada speaking Hindu family that valued education and professional achievement—making his eventual rejection of formal schooling all the more striking.

Kamath's father, Raghuram Kamath, was an executive at Canara Bank, one of India's oldest and largest nationalized banks. His mother, Revathi Kamath, was a multifaceted professional who ran her own event management company, orchestrating major corporate events for companies like Hewlett-Packard, Bosch, and others at prestigious venues including Leela Palace and Windsor Manor in Bangalore. Beyond event management, Revathi developed a thriving landscaping business, completing projects for the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, and corporate clients including Intel, CBRE, and Citadel. Her portfolio expanded to include high-end resorts and hospitals, with projects valued at crores of rupees.

Revathi was also a skilled veena player, bringing an artistic dimension to the household that complemented the business acumen she demonstrated professionally. This dual influence—her father's stable banking career and his mother's entrepreneurial ventures—would shape Nikhil's understanding of both traditional professional paths and the risks and rewards of independent business ownership.

Nikhil's older brother, Nithin Kamath, would become his most important business partner and the co-founder of Zerodha. Nithin, who was already trading in the stock market when Nikhil was still in school, introduced his younger brother to the world of finance and became both mentor and collaborator in their eventual business ventures.

Early interest in chess

From a young age, Nikhil displayed an exceptional aptitude for chess. He began playing around age five or six, competing first at school level, then advancing through district, city, state, and finally national-level competitions. The game taught him principles that would later prove invaluable in business: strategic thinking, the ability to analyze multiple scenarios, pattern recognition, and perhaps most importantly, what he described as learning "how to work under a structure, in a system, but yet try and be creative within that system."

His passion for chess became so consuming that it began to conflict with his formal education. By the time he reached his early teenage years, Kamath was spending more time on chess than on schoolwork, a situation that would soon lead to a dramatic break with the conventional educational path his family had expected him to follow.

Dropping out of school

In a decision that would define his life's trajectory, Kamath dropped out of school at age 14, leaving after failing to complete his 10th-grade board examinations. The circumstances were not entirely of his choosing—his school in Bangalore refused to allow him to appear for the board exams, citing his disinterest in studies as the reason. But the underlying motivation was clear: Kamath found school stifling and irrelevant.

"Nobody told you 'why' you should do something, you just 'had' to do it; it was inhibiting," Kamath has explained of his feelings about formal education. The rote learning, arbitrary rules, and lack of practical application that characterized Indian schooling in the 1990s clashed fundamentally with his curious, questioning nature. While he has never advocated that others follow his path—recognizing the unique circumstances and support systems that enabled his success—Kamath's story has become emblematic of alternative routes to achievement in a society that traditionally places enormous emphasis on academic credentials.

His decision to leave school was not purely about chess. By 14, Kamath had already begun exploring business opportunities. With a friend, he started his first entrepreneurial venture: buying and selling used mobile phones. However, this business came to an abrupt end when his mother discovered it. Concerned that her son had abandoned his education for a phone-trading business, she destroyed the inventory—in Kamath's telling, she "flushed the phones down the toilet." The incident, while temporarily defeating, demonstrated the entrepreneurial instinct that would eventually make him a billionaire.

Chess career and professional aspirations

After leaving school, Kamath dedicated himself more fully to chess, harboring dreams of becoming a professional player. He competed seriously for several years, achieving notable success at various levels of competition. However, by his late teens, it became clear that while he was talented, he lacked the exceptional ability required to sustain a career as a professional chess player at the highest levels.

The realization that chess would not be his profession forced Kamath to find another path. With no formal educational qualifications and limited obvious career options, he began what he has described as a period of "stumbling" toward his eventual vocation. This uncertain period, which might have been devastating for someone without his resilience and entrepreneurial instinct, instead became the foundation for his later success.

Career

Early career: Call center and trading (2003-2006)

At age 17, lacking educational credentials and with his chess career reaching its limits, Kamath took a job at a call center, earning approximately ₹8,000 per month (roughly $175 at the time). The job provided a modest income and, crucially, flexible hours that allowed him to pursue other interests.

Working the call center's evening shift from 4 PM to 1 AM, Kamath discovered he could dedicate his mornings to trading in the stock market. His brother Nithin, already an experienced trader, had introduced him to the markets, and Kamath found that the strategic thinking he had developed through chess translated surprisingly well to analyzing stocks and market movements.

Trading in the early 2000s Indian stock market was challenging. The industry was dominated by traditional full-service brokers who charged percentage-based commissions, often ranging from 0.5% to 1% per trade. For active traders like Kamath, these costs could be prohibitive, eating into potential profits and limiting the ability to execute the frequent trades that his strategies required.

His father, demonstrating faith in his unconventional son, entrusted Kamath with some of his savings to trade. This capital, combined with his growing skills, allowed Kamath to generate returns that increasingly outpaced his call center salary. The experience also exposed him to the structural inefficiencies of the Indian brokerage industry—inefficiencies he would later exploit to build Zerodha.

Kamath & Associates (2006-2010)

In 2006, at age 19, Kamath became a sub-broker and joined with his brother Nithin to establish Kamath & Associates, a brokerage firm focused on managing portfolios for high-net-worth individuals in the public markets.

The brothers developed a reputation for their trading acumen and their hands-on approach to portfolio management. Unlike many brokers who simply executed trades, the Kamaths actively managed their clients' investments, applying the analytical skills Nikhil had developed through chess and Nithin had honed through years of trading experience.

During these years, the brothers refined their understanding of what retail investors needed and what the existing brokerage industry failed to provide. Traditional Indian brokers charged high fees, offered opaque pricing, and provided technology that was often outdated and difficult to use. The Kamaths recognized an opportunity to build something better.

Founding Zerodha (2010)

In 2010, Nikhil and Nithin Kamath co-founded Zerodha, a company whose name combines "zero" (English) and "rodha" (Sanskrit for barrier), meaning "zero barriers." The name encapsulated their vision: removing the barriers that prevented ordinary Indians from participating effectively in the stock market.

Zerodha's revolutionary innovation was the discount brokerage model, which had been successful in the United States but was virtually unknown in India. Instead of charging percentage-based commissions that could amount to hundreds or thousands of rupees per trade, Zerodha introduced a flat fee structure:

• Equity investments: Zero brokerage (free)
• Intraday and F&O trades: ₹20 per trade or 0.03% (whichever was lower)

This pricing structure was genuinely disruptive. For active traders executing dozens or hundreds of trades per month, the savings were enormous. For long-term investors, the zero-brokerage model for delivery trades removed one of the significant frictions that had discouraged participation in equity markets.

Beyond pricing, Zerodha invested heavily in technology. The company developed Kite, a proprietary trading platform that was fast, intuitive, and accessible via web browsers and mobile devices. In an industry where many competitors relied on outdated software, Zerodha's technology became a key differentiator that attracted tech-savvy young Indians to the platform.

The company also created educational resources to help novice investors understand the markets. Varsity, Zerodha's educational platform, offered free courses on everything from basic stock market concepts to advanced derivatives strategies. This educational focus reflected the Kamath brothers' belief that market participation should be democratized and that information asymmetry was a barrier that could be eliminated.

Zerodha's growth and market dominance

Zerodha's growth was remarkable. Starting with a small client base, the company expanded rapidly as word spread about its low fees and superior technology. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated this growth dramatically, as millions of Indians, stuck at home and looking for ways to engage with the recovering markets, opened brokerage accounts for the first time.

Key milestones in Zerodha's growth:

• 2015: Zerodha became profitable, unusual for a technology company in growth mode
• 2019: The company processed more than 1 million orders daily
• 2020: Zerodha became India's largest retail stockbroker by number of active clients
• 2024: The platform had over 1.5 crore (15 million) registered clients, handling more than 15% of India's retail trades

The company achieved this growth without external funding, remaining bootstrapped throughout its expansion. This decision, unusual for a high-growth technology company, allowed the Kamath brothers to retain full ownership and control while demonstrating that profitable growth was possible without diluting equity to venture capitalists.

Zerodha's success attracted competitors who attempted to replicate its model, but the company maintained its leadership through continuous innovation and the network effects of its large user base. By 2024, Zerodha's dominance in Indian retail brokerage was unquestioned.

True Beacon (2020)

In 2020, Kamath co-founded True Beacon, an asset management company targeting ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) in India. While Zerodha democratized trading for retail investors, True Beacon addressed the sophisticated investment needs of India's wealthiest individuals.

True Beacon introduced a novel "zero-fee" model for asset management. Instead of charging fixed management fees regardless of performance, the company aligned its compensation with client returns, earning only when clients profited. This performance-based structure addressed one of the primary criticisms of traditional asset management—that managers collect fees regardless of whether they generate value for clients.

The fund manages investments through privately pooled investment vehicles, employing strategies designed for long-term wealth creation. By focusing on UHNWIs, True Beacon complemented rather than competed with Zerodha, allowing the Kamath brothers to serve investors across the wealth spectrum.

Gruhas (2021)

In 2021, Kamath co-founded Gruhas with Abhijeet Pai, an investment firm focused on early and growth-stage startups in sectors including climate tech, consumer brands, senior care, sustainability, and proptech (property technology).

Gruhas operates two primary funds:

• Gruhas Collective Consumer Fund (GCCF): Focused on consumer brands with potential for scale
• Earth Fund: Launched in partnership with Brigade Group, investing in sustainability and proptech startups

The firm has invested in over 50 companies, including IPEC, PMI Electro Mobility, and Ossus Bio Renewables. Gruhas also explores emerging technologies such as hydrogen energy and brain-computer interface devices, reflecting Kamath's interest in long-term technological trends and their potential impact.

Other investments and ventures

Beyond his major companies, Kamath maintains an active portfolio of investments across various sectors:

Consumer and sustainability startups:

• Licious - Meat and seafood delivery platform
• Nourish You - Health food brand
• Pee Safe - Personal hygiene products
• Subko Coffee - Specialty coffee roaster
• Ather - Electric scooter manufacturer

Financial services and technology:

• InCred Holdings - Financial services company
• RDC Concrete - Construction materials
• GreenLine Mobility - Clean energy logistics
• Nazara Technologies - Gaming and esports company

Recent notable investment: In 2024, Kamath acquired a 5% stake in D'yavol Spirits, a premium spirits company founded by Shah Rukh Khan and his son Aryan Khan.

Rainmatter Foundation

Through Zerodha, Kamath and his brother Nithin established the Rainmatter Foundation, committing $100 million to support solutions for climate change, specifically afforestation, ecological restoration, and sustainable livelihoods.

The foundation takes a venture philanthropy approach, investing in organizations and startups that address environmental challenges while also potentially generating returns. This model reflects Kamath's belief that capitalism and social impact can be aligned when incentives are properly structured.

WTFund

Kamath also launched WTFund, a non-dilutive grant fund targeting young entrepreneurs under 25. Unlike traditional venture capital, which requires startups to give up equity in exchange for funding, WTFund provides grants that allow young founders to develop their ideas without diluting ownership at the earliest stages.

E-Cricket investment

Kamath, along with Ankit Nagori and Prashanth Prakash, owns the Bengaluru franchise for Season 2 of the Global E-Cricket Premier League (GEPL), reflecting his interest in the growing esports sector.

Podcast career: WTF Is / People by WTF

Launch and early episodes

In March 2024, Kamath launched "WTF Is" (later rebranded as "People by WTF"), a podcast featuring long-form conversations with leading figures in business, technology, politics, and entertainment. The format—candid, extended discussions without strict time limits—allowed for deeper exploration of topics than traditional media typically permits.

Kamath's approach to interviewing combines his curiosity about how successful people think with genuine interest in understanding different perspectives. His background as an entrepreneur and investor allows him to engage meaningfully with business topics, while his unconventional education gives him a unique vantage point for discussing paths to success.

High-profile guests

The podcast quickly attracted some of the world's most influential guests:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi - In what was Modi's first-ever podcast appearance, the Prime Minister discussed his childhood, worldview, and India's technological development. The episode, released in January 2025, generated massive viewership and demonstrated the podcast's reach and influence.

Bill Gates - The Microsoft co-founder discussed his relationship with India, his philanthropic work, and technology's role in addressing global challenges. Gates recalled his long connection with India, describing it as "fabulous."

Elon Musk - The Tesla and SpaceX CEO appeared on the show, discussing entrepreneurship, technology, and his vision for the future.

Ted Sarandos - Netflix's co-CEO discussed the streaming industry and content strategy.

Neal Mohan - YouTube's CEO discussed the platform's evolution and creator economy.

Other notable guests include Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw (Biocon founder), Suniel Shetty (actor and entrepreneur), Ritesh Agarwal (OYO founder), Ronnie Screwvala (entrepreneur and film producer), Bryan Johnson (biohacker and entrepreneur), and Tanmay Bhat (comedian and creator).

Impact and influence

The podcast's success has established Kamath as one of India's most influential media personalities, complementing his business achievements. The ability to attract world leaders and global business figures reflects both his personal network and the platform's growing credibility.

"People by WTF" represents a new model for business media in India—substantive, long-form content that competes with traditional business journalism while leveraging digital distribution to reach younger audiences.

Philanthropy

The Giving Pledge

In June 2023, Nikhil Kamath became the youngest Indian to sign The Giving Pledge, the philanthropic initiative created by Bill Gates and Warren Buffett that encourages the world's wealthiest individuals to commit to giving away the majority of their wealth.

Kamath committed to donating at least 50% of his wealth to charitable causes, with a particular focus on:

• Climate change: Supporting solutions for environmental sustainability
• Education: Improving access to quality education, particularly for underserved communities
• Healthcare: Funding affordable, scalable healthcare delivery

In his Giving Pledge letter, Kamath articulated his belief that capitalism can only work sustainably if inequality is addressed, and that this requires altruism from those who have accumulated significant wealth. His pledge represents one of the largest philanthropic commitments from an Indian entrepreneur of his generation.

Climate and environmental initiatives

Kamath has made climate change a central focus of his philanthropic activities. Through the Rainmatter Foundation (a joint initiative with his brother Nithin), he has committed $100 million to climate-related causes, including:

• Afforestation: Supporting tree-planting initiatives across India
• Ecological restoration: Funding projects to restore degraded ecosystems
• Sustainable livelihoods: Helping communities develop economically while preserving environmental resources

Education initiatives

Kamath's interest in education is informed by his own unconventional path. He supports initiatives that provide alternatives to traditional education and help young people develop practical skills. Through various foundations and direct investments, he has funded:

• Technology education programs
• Entrepreneurship training for young Indians
• Educational content creation (including Zerodha's Varsity platform)

Healthcare investments

Kamath invests in affordable, scalable healthcare delivery, funding telemedicine platforms, mobile clinics, and awareness campaigns around preventable conditions. He prioritizes pilot projects that can later expand through public and private channels, reflecting his belief in developing scalable solutions rather than one-time charitable interventions.

Additional philanthropic involvement

Kamath is involved with various organizations and foundations:

• British Asian Trust: Serves on advisory council
• Giving Pi: Philanthropic initiative
• YUVA: Youth development organization

According to the EdelGive-Hurun India Philanthropy List 2022, Kamath donated ₹100 crore ($12 million) in 2022, along with his brother Nithin.

Controversies

Chess cheating scandal (2021)

In June 2021, Kamath participated in an online charity chess simultaneous exhibition against five-time World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand, organized by the Akshaya Patra Foundation and the All India Chess Federation to raise funds for COVID-19 relief.

Kamath won his game against Anand, but subsequent analysis by Chess.com detected patterns consistent with computer assistance. The platform banned Kamath's account for a fair-play violation, concluding that he had used chess engine assistance during the charity match.

Kamath acknowledged the violation and apologized publicly, calling his actions "silly" and stating he had intended them "for fun and charity." The incident drew criticism from the chess community, including from Grandmaster Pentala Harikrishna, who questioned Kamath's judgment in cheating during a charity event against India's most celebrated chess player.

Anand, characteristically gracious, said he had "just played the position on the board" and later indicated he had moved on from the incident. At Anand's request, Kamath's Chess.com account was restored within 24 hours, though the controversy damaged Kamath's reputation among chess enthusiasts and raised questions about his judgment.

The incident was particularly ironic given Kamath's background as a serious chess player and his frequently expressed admiration for the strategic and ethical lessons the game taught him.

Home purchase criticism (2024)

In October 2024, Kamath purchased his first residential property, drawing criticism on social media because he had previously and repeatedly advocated publicly for renting over owning, arguing that renting offered greater liquidity advantages.

Critics accused Kamath of a "U-turn" and hypocrisy, arguing that his advice had influenced others to avoid property ownership while he was apparently planning to buy himself. Kamath defended the purchase, explaining that his views had evolved and that personal circumstances can change the calculus of financial decisions.

The controversy highlighted the scrutiny that public figures face when their personal choices appear to contradict their public pronouncements, and the difficulty of offering general financial advice that applies to all situations.

Personal life

Marriage and divorce

Kamath married Amanda Puravankara in April 2019 in a ceremony held in Florence, Italy. The wedding was presided over by a Bengaluru priest and brought together two prominent Bangalore business families.

Amanda Puravankara is the daughter of Ravi Puravankara, Chairman of Puravankara Limited, one of India's leading real estate development companies with a net worth in the billions. Amanda herself serves as Executive Director of Provident Housing Limited, a subsidiary of Puravankara Group. She earned her Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) from the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom.

The marriage ended in divorce in 2021. Neither party has publicly disclosed the reasons for the separation, and the divorce appears to have been handled privately. The couple did not have children.

Subsequent relationships

Following his divorce, Kamath has been romantically linked to several public figures:

Manushi Chhillar (2021-2022): Kamath was reportedly in a relationship with Manushi Chhillar, winner of Miss World 2017. The two were spotted together at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and on the streets of Rishikesh, Uttarakhand. Neither confirmed the relationship publicly, and reports indicated they parted ways.

Rhea Chakraborty (2024-present): Kamath has been rumored to be dating actress Rhea Chakraborty, with speculation intensifying after they were spotted together on a motorcycle ride in Mumbai in August 2024. Neither has confirmed the relationship publicly.

Kamath has described himself as a "relationship junkie," stating in interviews: "I get into trouble every time I talk about relationships... But I like being in relationships." This openness about his personal life, unusual for Indian business figures, has contributed to his public profile and tabloid interest.

Residence and lifestyle

Kamath resides in Bangalore, India, where Zerodha is headquartered. Despite his considerable wealth, he has cultivated an image of relative simplicity compared to many Indian billionaires, though his 2024 home purchase and high-profile relationships have generated attention.

His lifestyle reflects his interests in chess, technology, and business strategy. He remains an active chess player (despite the 2021 controversy) and is known for his curiosity about diverse topics, which is evident in his podcast conversations.

Philosophy and worldview

Kamath has been outspoken about his views on education, wealth, and success:

On education: While not recommending his path for others, Kamath advocates for questioning traditional educational approaches and finding practical ways to learn. He supports alternative education models and has funded educational initiatives that emphasize practical skills over credentials.

On wealth and capitalism: Kamath believes capitalism can be a force for good but only if the wealthy take responsibility for addressing inequality. His Giving Pledge commitment reflects this belief in the obligations that come with significant wealth.

On risk-taking: His career demonstrates comfort with unconventional paths and calculated risks. From dropping out of school to founding a discount brokerage in a market dominated by traditional players, Kamath's biography is a case study in strategic risk-taking.

Awards and recognition

• Forbes India Rich List (2020) - First appearance, youngest Indian billionaire at the time
• Forbes' list of India's 100 Richest (2024)
• Forbes Billionaires List (2024-2025) - Net worth $3.3 billion
• The Giving Pledge signatory (2023) - Youngest Indian to sign

Net worth

Kamath's wealth is primarily derived from his equity stake in Zerodha, which has remained profitable throughout its growth and has never raised external capital. As of December 2025:

• Personal net worth: $3.3 billion (Forbes)
• Zerodha valuation: Estimated at over $3 billion (though the company is privately held)
• Combined Kamath brothers' wealth: Approximately $7 billion

His brother Nithin Kamath has a net worth of approximately $3.75 billion as of December 2025.

Both brothers draw salaries of approximately ₹72 crore ($9 million) each annually from Zerodha, in addition to dividends and equity appreciation.

See also

• Zerodha
• Nithin Kamath
• The Giving Pledge
• Viswanathan Anand
• Discount brokerage
• Indian startup ecosystem

External links

• Zerodha official website
• True Beacon official website
• Nikhil Kamath at The Giving Pledge