Who is Nikhil Kamath & what is his net worth? From a Call Center Employee to India's Youngest Billionaire

Nikhil Kamath is the co-founder of zerodha, True Beacon, and Gruhas. At just 37, he has made a big mark on India’s startup scene. With a net worth of $3.1 billion, he made it to the Forbes Billionaires List in 2024. His journey shows how passion, resilience, and fresh ideas can lead to great success—even without following the traditional path of education.

Early Life of Nikhil Kamath 

Nikhil Kamath was born on 5 September 1986 in Udupi, Karnataka, and raised in a supportive middle-class family in Bangalore. Unlike most of his peers, he chose to take an unconventional path. After finishing the 10th grade, he dropped out of school at 14 to follow his own direction in life.

By the age of 17, he was juggling two jobs—working at a call centre and trading stocks—driven by a desire for financial independence. It was during this time that he discovered his passion for stock trading, which started as a side hustle and soon became his true calling.

In 2006, Nikhil teamed up with his elder brother Nithin Kamath to start Kamath & Associates, a sub-broking firm. This hands-on experience in stockbroking laid the groundwork for what would eventually become their game-changing venture in the financial world.

Founding Zerodha

In 2010, Nikhil and his brother Nithin Kamath co-founded Zerodha, a brokerage firm that disrupted India’s financial market. At a time when traditional brokers charged high commissions, Zerodha introduced a discount model with zero brokerage on investments and a flat fee for intraday and derivative trading. This move made investing affordable and accessible to millions of retail investors, quickly gaining popularity for its simplicity and low cost.

Zerodha went on to become India’s largest retail brokerage, serving over 10 million users, and played a key role in changing how the country trades and invests.

In 2020, Nikhil co-founded True Beacon, an asset management firm focused on ultra-high-net-worth individuals. It followed the same principles of transparency and low cost, extending his mission to democratize financial services.

His entrepreneurial journey didn’t stop there. In 2021, he launched Gruhas, a real estate and prop-tech company, entering yet another industry with a tech-driven approach.

Nikhil Kamath’s success lies not just in his business skills but also in his ability to sense the right timing and build strong partnerships to reshape multiple sectors.

Nikhil Kamath often says that success is about “being in the right place at the right time,” a lesson he’s learned through experience. He credits much of his journey to timing, teamwork, and the support of exceptional colleagues. As he puts it: “Timing is paramount. Its significance is often underestimated. I am fully aware of the fortuitous alignment of being at the right place at the right time, alongside exceptional colleagues who have accompanied me on this journey.”

Kamath’s impact on India’s financial ecosystem hasn’t gone unnoticed. In 2016, he was named Entrepreneur of the Year by The Economic Times. In 2017, he made it to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list. Under his leadership, Zerodha continued to push boundaries with platforms like Varsity, an open education portal, and Kite, a simplified trading interface for everyday investors.

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Beyond business, Kamath has shown a strong commitment to social good. In June 2023, he became the youngest Indian to sign the Giving Pledge, promising to donate at least half of his wealth to charitable causes—a clear sign of his belief in using success for broader impact.

From a call centre employee to one of India’s youngest billionaires, Kamath’s journey is a story of bold choices, sharp instincts, and a strong sense of purpose. As he continues to grow ventures like Zerodha, True Beacon, and Gruhas, his influence stretches far beyond fintech.

Nikhil Kamath has proven that success doesn’t always follow a traditional route—it’s about taking risks, trusting your timing, and never losing sight of the bigger picture.