Early Life
Nikhil Kamath was born on September 5, 1986, in Shimoga, Karnataka, India. He was raised in Bangalore. His father was an executive at Canara Bank, and his mother ran an event management company. Kamath's early exposure to finance came through his father, while his mother's entrepreneurial spirit provided additional inspiration. He attended Oxford Senior Secondary School in Bengaluru but dropped out after completing the 10th grade.
Rise to Success
Kamath began his career at 17, working at a call center, and started trading stocks on the side. At 19, he co-founded Kamath & Associates to manage high-net-worth individual portfolios. In 2010, along with his brother Nithin Kamath, he co-founded Zerodha, a discount brokerage that revolutionized the Indian stock market by offering zero brokerage for investments and a flat fee for trading. This approach made trading accessible to millions of retail investors. Zerodha's success propelled Kamath to become one of India's youngest billionaires. He also co-founded True Beacon in 2019, an asset management company catering to ultra-high-net-worth individuals. Additionally, he co-founded Gruhas in 2021, an investment firm focusing on early and growth-stage startups.
Key Business Strategies
Kamath's success stems from several key strategies. Zerodha's low-cost, technology-driven brokerage model disrupted the traditional brokerage market. He emphasizes the importance of innovation, staying curious, and taking calculated risks. True Beacon's zero-fee model is another example of Kamath's innovative approach. He also focuses on creating value, driving impact, and understanding customer needs.
Philanthropy
Kamath is deeply committed to philanthropy. He is the youngest Indian to sign The Giving Pledge, committing to donate at least 50% of his wealth. Through the Rainmatter Foundation, he supports solutions for climate change, focusing on afforestation, ecological restoration, and livelihoods. His contributions through the Rainmatter Foundation have amounted to over ₹120 crore (approximately $14.4 million USD). Kamath also runs the Young India Philanthropic Pledge (YIPP), encouraging young entrepreneurs to donate a minimum of 25% of their wealth.