Nikhil Kamath

About

Nikhil Kamath is a prominent Indian entrepreneur, investor, and billionaire best known as the co-founder of Zerodha, India's largest retail stock brokerage firm. Born in Shimoga, Karnataka, and raised in Bengaluru, Kamath showcased an early interest in markets, dropping out of formal education after the 10th grade to pursue practical ventures. He started his professional career at age 17 working at a call center while simultaneously learning the mechanics of equity trading on the side. In 2006, he teamed up with his elder brother Nithin Kamath to form the brokerage firm Kamath & Associates, managing portfolios for high-net-worth individuals. The brothers disrupted the Indian financial landscape in 2010 by co-founding Zerodha, pioneering a low-cost, flat-fee discount brokerage model that dramatically democratized stock market participation. Beyond Zerodha's remarkable bootstrapped success, Nikhil has built an extensive investment portfolio. In 2019, he co-founded True Beacon, an asset management enterprise tailored for ultra-high-net-worth individuals. He later co-founded Gruhas in 2021, an investment platform focused on PropTech, CleanTech, and sustainability. Recognized globally for his philanthropy, Kamath became the youngest Indian signatory to The Giving Pledge in 2023, committing a majority of his wealth to social and environmental causes. He also hosts the popular corporate and lifestyle podcast 'WTF is'.

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