On July 29, 2025, Nikhil Kamath remains a name that inspires millions in India and beyond. He is a young entrepreneur who built a financial empire from scratch. His story is not just about money. It is about courage, hard work, and thinking differently. Nikhil Kamath is the co-founder of Zerodha, India’s largest stock brokerage company. He is also known for True Beacon, Gruhas, and his podcast "WTF is." His life shows how a school dropout can achieve great things with determination. This article tells the unique story of Nikhil Kamath in simple words, full of details to engage and inspire readers.
Early Life And Family Background
Nikhil Kamath was born on September 5, 1986, in Shimoga, Karnataka. He grew up in a simple middle-class family. His father, Raghuram Kamath, worked at Canara Bank. His mother, Revathi Kamath, was a talented veena player. She also ran an event management business. Revathi worked on big projects for companies like HP and Bosch. She even designed landscapes for places like Chinnaswamy Stadium. Nikhil’s family was culturally rich. They were Kannada Brahmins who valued tradition. Nikhil has an elder brother, Nithin Kamath, who later became his business partner. The family moved often because of Raghuram’s job. When Nikhil was nine, they settled in Bangalore. This city shaped his future.
As a child, Nikhil was different. He loved math but hated school. He found the education system boring. It didn’t seem practical to him. Instead, he was curious about business. At 14, he started selling used phones. His mother stopped this venture, but it showed his early interest in earning money. Nikhil also loved chess. He played in state and national competitions. Chess taught him to think creatively within rules. This skill helped him later in life. Nikhil’s childhood was simple but full of small moments that sparked his big dreams.
Education And Early Life
Nikhil’s school life was not smooth. He studied at Oxford Senior Secondary School in Bangalore. But he didn’t like formal education. His teachers were unhappy with his performance. They even tried to stop him from taking his 10th-grade exams. At this point, Nikhil made a bold choice. He dropped out of school after 10th grade. He had no degree and no clear plan. His family was worried. They came from a background where education was important. But Nikhil wanted to make money his own way.
At 17, Nikhil got a job at a call center. He earned just ₹8,000 a month. The job required him to be 18, so he used a fake birth certificate. He worked night shifts from 4 PM to 1 AM. In the mornings, he taught himself stock trading. Nikhil was determined to learn about money and markets. He even convinced his call center manager to let him manage his money. In return, the manager marked him present at work. This gave Nikhil more time to trade. These early years were tough. Nikhil moved out of his parents’ house. He lived with his girlfriend and learned life’s lessons the hard way. His struggles built his resilience.
Nikhil Kamath Age, Wikipedia, Biography, Net Worth, Wife, Family
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Nikhil Kamath |
| Date of Birth | September 5, 1986 |
| Place of Birth | Shimoga, Karnataka, India |
| Family Background | - Father: Raghuram Kamath (Canara Bank employee) - Mother: Revathi Kamath (Veena player, event manager) - Elder Brother: Nithin Kamath |
| Education | - Oxford Senior Secondary School, Bangalore - Dropped out after 10th grade |
| Early Life Interests | - Loved math and chess - Competed in state and national-level chess - Started selling used phones at age 14 |
| Early Career | - Worked at a call center at age 17 (₹8,000/month) - Used fake ID for job - Self-taught stock trader |
| Business Ventures | - Kamath & Associates (2004): Trading firm with brother - Zerodha (2010): Flat ₹20 brokerage model - True Beacon (2020): Asset management - Gruhas (2021): Invests in real estate & startups - WTFund (2023): Mentors entrepreneurs under 25 |
| Key Achievements | - Co-founded Zerodha with over 10M clients - Youngest Indian billionaire (Forbes 2024, $3.1B) - Signed The Giving Pledge (2023) |
| Podcast | - WTF is (launched March 2023) - Interviews with Narendra Modi, Bill Gates, Suniel Shetty, and others |
| Philanthropy | - Pledged 50% of wealth via The Giving Pledge - Focus on education, healthcare, and climate - Supports initiatives via WTFund |
| Nationality | Indain |
| Personal Life | - Married Amanda Puravankara (2019), divorced within a year - Linked to Manushi Chhillar, Rhea Chakraborty - Pet dog: Hope |
| Hobbies & Interests | - Reading (owns 500+ books) - Riding Audi A6 and Suzuki Hayabusa |
| Social Media | - 1.1M+ Instagram followers - Shares content on work, lifestyle, and ideas |
| Net Worth | $3.1 billion (Forbes 2024) |
| Legacy | - Disrupted Indian stock trading landscape - Source of inspiration for youth - Advocate of innovation and social impact |
Starting Business
Nikhil’s passion for trading grew stronger. In 2004, he quit his call center job. He started a trading firm called Kamath & Associates with his brother Nithin. Nithin was also a part-time stockbroker. Together, they managed money for wealthy clients. In 2006, Nikhil became a sub-broker. This was a big step. The brothers worked hard to build trust with their clients. Their firm was small but successful. Nikhil’s understanding of markets and technology set him apart.
In 2010, Nikhil and Nithin started Zerodha. The name comes from “Zero” and “Rodha,” a Sanskrit word for barrier. Zerodha means “no obstacles.” Their goal was to make stock trading easy and cheap for everyone. At that time, trading was expensive. Brokers charged high fees. Zerodha changed this with a discount brokerage model. They charged a flat fee of ₹20 per trade, no matter the size. This idea was revolutionary. It made trading affordable for common people. Zerodha grew fast, especially during the COVID-19 lockdown. By 2021, it handled over 5 million orders daily. Today, Zerodha has over 10 million clients. It is India’s largest brokerage firm.
Expanding His Vision
Nikhil didn’t stop with Zerodha. In 2020, he co-founded True Beacon. This is an asset management company. It helps very wealthy people invest in Indian markets. True Beacon uses private investment funds to manage money. In 2021, Nikhil started Gruhas with Abhijeet Pai. Gruhas focuses on real estate and technology startups. It invests in new ideas and projects. These ventures show Nikhil’s ability to think beyond one business. He wants to create value in different fields.
In April 2023, Nikhil launched the WTFund. This fund supports young entrepreneurs under 25. It gives them money without taking their company shares. Nikhil believes India’s youth can drive innovation. He says the education system pushes people toward safe careers. But entrepreneurship needs a different mindset. The WTFund helps young people build sustainable businesses. Nikhil also cares about social impact. He invests in companies that solve real problems, like climate change or education.
Podcast
In March 2023, Nikhil started a podcast called “WTF is.” It became very popular. He interviews famous people like Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bill Gates, and actors like Suniel Shetty. The podcast covers topics like technology, business, and social issues. Nikhil’s conversations are simple but deep. They inspire listeners to think differently. His podcast shows his curious nature. He loves learning from others and sharing knowledge.
Nikhil is also active on social media. He has over 1.1 million followers on Instagram. He posts about his life, work, and ideas. His posts are real and relatable. They show a billionaire who is still grounded. Nikhil’s public image is one of simplicity and honesty. He doesn’t show off his wealth. Instead, he focuses on ideas and impact.
Philanthropy And Giving Back
Nikhil believes in giving back to society. In June 2023, he joined The Giving Pledge. This is a global initiative started by Warren Buffett and Bill Gates. Nikhil promised to donate 50% of his wealth to causes like education, healthcare, and climate change. He was the youngest Indian to join this pledge. His decision inspired many. Nikhil says he wants to create a fairer world. His philanthropy shows his commitment to making a difference.
Personal Life And Interests
Nikhil married Amanda Puravankara in 2019. She is the daughter of Ravi Puravankara, a real estate tycoon. The wedding was grand, held in Florence, Italy. But the marriage ended in divorce within a year. Nikhil’s personal life often makes news. He was linked to actress Manushi Chhillar and later seen with Rhea Chakraborty. Nikhil stays private about these matters.
He loves reading and has over 500 books. He also owns a pet dog named Hope. Nikhil enjoys riding luxury cars and bikes, like his Audi A6 and Suzuki Hayabusa. His net worth is around $3.1 billion, according to Forbes 2024. He is India’s youngest billionaire. Despite his wealth, Nikhil lives simply. He focuses on work and impact, not luxury.
Achievements And Legacy
Nikhil Kamath’s story is one of grit and innovation. He turned Zerodha into a game-changer for India’s financial world. His companies, True Beacon and Gruhas, show his vision for the future. His podcast and philanthropy make him a role model. Nikhil’s life teaches us that success doesn’t need a degree. It needs passion, hard work, and courage to take risks. As he continues to inspire, Nikhil Kamath’s legacy will grow, shaping India’s entrepreneurial spirit for years to come.