Nikhil Kamath’s transition from school dropout to successful entrepreneur in India is a true reflection of his entrepreneurial zeal and innovative thinking.Early Life and Education
Nikhil was born on September 5, 1986, in Shimoga, Karnataka. He spent his childhood years changing often because his father worked as a banker. His family moved to Bangalore when he was nine years old. Showing an independent nature, Nikhil decided to drop out of formal education after passing the 10th grade, paving the way for his non-traditional career.Career Beginnings
Nikhil started his career as a call center employee, with a modest income. At the same time, he also started learning about equity trading, handling portfolios for clients. In 2006, he became a sub-broker and, with his brother Nithin Kamath, started Kamath & Associates, dealing with portfolio management for high net worth individuals.
Founding of Zerodha
The Kamath brothers launched Zerodha in 2010 with a discount brokerage model that significantly cut transaction costs. The groundbreaking move brought down transaction commissions to make stock trading accessible to the retail investor class. By May 2024, Zerodha had attracted 7.5 million active clients enrolled at the National Stock Exchange (NSE), placing it as one of India’s top stockbrokers.
True Beacon setup
Drawing on the success of Zerodha, Nikhil founded True Beacon in 2020 along with a co-founder. This asset management firm serves ultra-high-net-worth individuals and provides customized investment strategies.
Philanthropy and Recognition
Aside from his entrepreneurial activities, Nikhil is dedicated to giving back. He is one of the youngest signatories of the Giving Pledge, committing a large part of his fortune to philanthropy. As of March 2025, Forbes calculates his net worth at $2.6 billion, indicating his significant contribution to the financial world.
Personal Life
A voracious reader and chess player, Nikhil keeps his professional endeavors in check with his own interests that make him a well-rounded individual.
Nikhil Kamath’s path from dropout schoolboy to billionaire businessman is a testament to resilience, ingenuity, and profound insight into the world of finance.
