Nikhil Kamath: Life Story of India’s Youngest Billionaire

This is the era of entrepreneurship and trading – a method that can change the lives of individuals with a bare minimum amount, analysis, and a stroke of luck all over the world.

Luckily, India boasts one of the best fintech and brokerage companies – “Zerodha,” a self-funded venture formed by two brothers, Nikhil Kamath and Nithin Kamath.

But how did they create such a successful and revolutionary company in India, and how do they play a major role in the future of India’s fintech sector?

In this post, we’re going to deep dive into the life of the younger brother – Nikhil Kamath – and his role in the Zerodha company, as well as his role as an influencer for youngsters in India.

Table Of Content

• Who is Nikhil Kamath?
• Zerodha and Nikhil
• Nithin Kamath
• Zerodha is Selfmade
• Family
• Relationships
• Education
• Social Media
• Nikhil Kamath Podcast
• Net Worth
• Controversies
• Mobile he Prefers
• Accomplishments
• Hobbies
• Facts

1. Who Is Nikhil Kamath?

Nikhil Kamath, born on 5th September 1986 in Hassan, Karnataka, India, is the co-founder of a popular fintech company in India called Zerodha. He grew up in a middle-class family with his brother Nithin Kamath.

Although Nikhil didn’t like school much, his father’s job at a bank sparked his interest in finance and trading.

Because he understood the struggles of middle-class people and had technical skills, Nikhil, along with his brother, started Zerodha. They created a system called discount brokerage, where people can trade stocks and other things at very low costs.

Besides Zerodha, Nikhil is passionate about starting new businesses and making a difference in the fintech and trading world.

What exactly is Zerodha all about, and how does Nikhil contribute to its success?

Attribute	Detail
Name	Nikhil Kamath
Age	38 Years Old
Date of Birth	5 September 1986
Hometown	Karnataka
Career	Co-Founder of Zerodha
Martial Status	Divorced
Brand Started	15 August 2010
Religion	Hindu
Education	10th Passed
Zodiac Sign	Sagittarius

A) Age

Being born on 5 September 1986, he is 38 years old passionate and energetic man who is more focused on the future, the development of his brand (Zerodha) and the Indian Fintech landscape.

2. Zerodha And Nikhil

Zerodha, as mentioned earlier, is a leading brokerage and fintech brand based in Karnataka, India. Interestingly, its name is a combination of an English word, ‘Zero,’ and a Sanskrit word, ‘Rodha,’ which means barrier.

Founded on 15 August 2010, Zerodha is an online finance and tech platform, commonly referred to as fintech, offering services such as trading in stocks, commodities, and currency derivatives in India. Its unique selling proposition (USP) lies in its discount brokerage system, technology-driven approach, transparency, and customer service focus.

Furthermore, Zerodha holds the prestigious status of being one of the 13 unicorns (valued at over 1 billion) in India. It is recognized as a trustworthy, secure, and safe platform for trading.

As for Nikhil and his role in Zerodha, he is the Co-Founder alongside Nithin Kamath, who is the Founder. Nikhil has played significant roles within the company, serving as its strategist, driving innovation and product development, acting as a brand ambassador, and managing public relations.

In essence, Nikhil is the face of Zerodha, representing the company and collaborating with other prominent CEOs and leaders in the industry.

Fun Fact: Recent studies reveal that Zerodha serves over 1 crore clients, with millions of orders being placed on the platform. Surprisingly, this accounts for over 15% of all Indian retail trading volumes.

3. Nithin Kamath

Credit – @nikhilkamathcio

Nithin Kamath serves as the CEO and founder of Zerodha Fintech, also holding the role of elder brother to Nikhil.

His responsibilities at Zerodha are similar to Nikhil’s, but as CEO, he shoulders additional duties such as risk management, business development, strategy formulation, and decision-making. While Nikhil is more prominently engaged in influencer activities and collaborations, Nithin focuses primarily on the backend operations of Zerodha.

4. Zerodha Is Self-Funded

You might be surprised to learn that Zerodha is a completely self-made and self-funded brand, founded by the two brothers, Nikhil and Nithin Kamath.

Both brothers had been traders for several years. During this time, Nithin Kamath (the elder brother) recognized the main problem in the Indian trading system. He saw the need for a platform specifically offering low-cost trading solutions without compromising on quality or reliability.

Credit – @nikhilkamathcio

Zerodha was initially bootstrapped with their personal savings. Despite numerous offers from investors for funding, they chose to decline as they were committed to keeping it a self-funded business. Their strategy was to reinvest profits for further growth.

This approach has contributed to Zerodha’s continued profitability, relevance, and sustainability in the market.

5. Family And Parents

Nikhil Kamath’s family was initially a typical middle-class household. However, at this moment, he is a billionaire, and as a result, they now enjoy a comfortable and luxurious lifestyle.

Credit – Twitter

His family consists of his mother, brother, and several other relatives. However, his father recently passed away.

First his father. His father’s name is U.R. Kamath. While information about him is limited, some significant details are available. Like, He had a career as an executive at Canara Bank for his entire professional life and retired about a decade ago.

In addition, he was incredibly supportive and served as their biggest cheerleader. One could say he was the first customer of any business they ventured into.

However, tragically, their father passed away around January and February 2024, which had a profound negative impact on the elder brother, Nithin, who experienced a mild stroke.

Next, Nikhil Kamath’s mother, Revathi, is a homemaker known for her unwavering support. She plays a crucial role in their lives, offering love and encouragement. Additionally, she taught Veena and sitar to both of them (Nikhil and Nithin). Nikhil Kamath also has an elder brother named Nithin, as previously mentioned.

Lastly, Nikhil Kamath also has a relative named Subhadra Dodamma, who is his mother’s older sister and the only member of the family to live abroad. During Nikhil’s childhood, she used to bring chocolates, clothes, and other gifts for them.

6. Relationships (Girlfriend/Wife)

In 2019, Nikhil Kamath married Amanda Puravankara, who served as the director of Provident Housing Limited, one of India’s leading real estate development companies. However, their marriage ended after just a year, and they finalized their divorce.

Following his divorce, Nikhil Kamath was linked romantically or showed interest in individuals like Manushi Chhillar and Rhea Chakraborty.

Currently, Nikhil Kamath holds a different perspective. He believes that 50% of married couples are unhappy. Consequently, he is divorced and unmarried at present.

7. Education

Nikhil Kamath, along with his brother Nithin, attended St. Aloysius High School in Mangalore, Karnataka, India, for their primary and secondary education.

Interestingly, Nikhil Kamath’s educational journey diverges from the conventional path. He did not complete his 12th grade and did not attend college. He is self-taught and achieved success in his career without formal higher education.

In one of his social media posts, Nikhil mentioned that he used to dislike his school and was even afraid of his teachers. However, the specific reasons behind his feelings remain unclear, adding a touch of mystery to his early life.

Credit – @nikhilkamathcio

8. Social Media

Nikhil Kamath has become an influencer and is highly active on social media platforms, particularly Instagram.

There, he shares a variety of informative and entertaining content, including behind-the-scenes glimpses of their show. He provides sneak peeks, trailers, business analysis, finance statistics, future news, and much more.

Platform	Account	Followers
Instagram	@nikhilkamathcio	720k
Youtube	Nikhil Kamath	750k
Twitter	Nikhil Kamath	334k

9. Shows

Currently, Nikhil Kamath is running a show cum podcast that goes by the name – WTF IS?

“WTF IS?” is an exceptional and enlightening podcast hosted by Nikhil Kamath, covering a broad spectrum of topics and fields with the assistance of relevant experts. The discussions span from business to technology, gaming, and environmental issues, offering valuable insights and knowledge to listeners.

Credit – @nikhilkamathcio

Here are a few guests featured on his recent podcasts:

• Nitish Mittersain (Nazara CEO)
• Animseh Aggarwal (Thug)
• Sean Hyunil sohn (Krafton CEO – Indian branch)
• Joseph Kim (Lila Fames CEO)
• Sunil Shetty (Actor)
• Tara Sutraia (Actress)
• Bhumi Pednekar (Actress)
• Ritesh Aggarwal (Founder of OYO)
• Ghazal Alaf (Mamaearth)
• Kaivalya Vohra (Co-Founder Zepto)
• Gauran Munjal (Unacademy)
• Navroz k Dubash, Sunita Narain, Miril Gogri snd
• Rajshamani (Youtuber)
• Tabmay Bhatt (Youtuber)
• Kishor Bhayani (CEO of the Future Group)

10. Net Worth

Zerodha has achieved unicorn status, indicating a valuation exceeding 1 billion dollars. As a founding member, it’s reasonable to consider the company’s success as a measure of wealth.

Interestingly, Zerodha’s co-founder, Nikhil Kamath, holds the title of the youngest billionaire in India, boasting a net worth of $3.1 billion according to the 2024 Forbes Billionaires List. Moreover, both Nikhil and his co-founder, Nithin, received an annual salary of ₹72 crore each in 2023.

Additionally, Nikhil Kamath has committed to donating 50% of his earnings to causes related to climate change, education, energy, and health.

11. Which Phone Does Nikhil Prefer?

In a recent interview, Nikhil Kamath expressed his admiration for Samsung’s phones, citing their innovation, vision, and product quality.

He mentioned that this appreciation is why he chose to use a Samsung mobile device, although he didn’t specify the model, mentioning that he upgrades to newer models as they become available.

12. Accomplishments

At such a young age, Nikhil has accomplished a great deal. Here are some achievements he has earned throughout his life.

A) Youngest Billionaire

Nikhil Kamath is the youngest Billionaire in India with a net worth of a whopping $3.1 billion (310 crores USD).

B) Forbes

Forbes, one of the most renowned and trusted magazines, has listed him among the Top 100 youngest billionaires in the world. It clearly stated that he is the co-founder of India’s largest stock brokerage company in terms of volume.

C) Fortune India

Credit – @nikhilkamathcio

In 2023, Fortune India also featured him across several categories. Nikhil Kamath was named among the best “40 under 40 entrepreneurs 2023” in India and recognized as the youngest Indian to join The Giving Pledge foundation.

13. Controversies

As a well-known figure, controversies are inevitable, and the same holds true for Nikhil. However, he has never been involved in any major controversy or scam. While he has faced some controversies, like –

• Chess Match – In 2021, Nikhil participated in a charity match against the legendary Vishwanath Anand, emerging victorious. However, later investigations revealed that he had used chess engines, which was deemed illegal. Following this, he apologized, stating that he meant no disrespect to Anand.

• WhatsApp Scam – Recently, scammers created WhatsApp groups and channels impersonating Nikhil Kamath, offering trading secrets. However, Nikhil Kamath came forward and advised people to ignore such messages. He clarified that he does not engage in paid promotions.

14. Hobbies

As a founder of a significant company, Nikhil remains a young, passionate, and energetic individual with a variety of hobbies, including movies, games, and more. Here’s a brief list of his hobbies.

• Chess
• Finance Analysis
• Movies
• Podcasting

15. Facts

Credit – @nikhilkamathcio

Here are some lesser-known and enjoyable facts about Nikhil Kamath.

• Nikhil Kamath’s Zerodha Fintech is officially a unicorn of India.
• He is also the Youngest Billionaire of India.
• He is also a professional chess player.
• He runs a podcast with other entrepreneurs about various topics like Finance, education, gaming, social etc.
• Nikhil Kamath is divorced and does not have any children.
• He is only 10 passed.
• He is known for being a tech enthusiast, always staying updated with the latest technology for Zerodha.
• Nikhil Kamath has publicly announced his commitment to donating up to 50% of his net worth towards societal improvement, particularly in areas such as climate change, education, energy, and health.
• When it comes to personal technology preferences, Nikhil favors Samsung over other brands, including iPhones.
• Additionally, Nikhil, along with his brother Nithin, recently met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the future of finance and fintech in India.

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