Whenever there is a discussion on Indian Fintech revolution, one man name that comes at the top of mind must be Nikhil Kamath. By dropout from school to being one of the youngest billionaires in India, Nikhil Kamath’s journey has all the elements of dreams and risks going hand in hand. The co-founder of a low-frill but high-volume stock brokerage, Zerodha- Nikhil Kamath is not only an investor who got it right from the start but also gives Ed Sheeran a run for his money as far as being the most successful dropouts go.
We will try to cover the following topics in this article by CoinDCX News: Who is Nikhil Kamath, his journey, Nikhil Kamath age, Nikhil Kamath net worth, business philosophies of Nikhil and some untold facts which makes his story truly inspiring.
Table of Contents
Early Life and Background
Nikhil Kamath, a Bengaluru, Karnataka native has had anything but an ordinary life until now. Born in 1986 Nikhil Kamath Date of Birth: 5th November 1986Age of Nikhil Kamath: 39 years (2025 ) He was less interested in traditional academia and more interested in being able to solve practical problems.
Nikhil was forced to leave school after Class 10, a deal breaker for most, but a turning point in his life. After accepting that, he used it as an opportunity to fiddle with all the ideas that interested him — especially chess and trading.
Early Career and Chess Days
Nikhil, a former nationally ranked chess player before Zerodha made it big. Chess taught him patience, forethought and planning — qualities that would shape his future style of business and investing.
Though he was already playing chess and competing, also began working for a call center to get some money. At that time, he involved in stock markets and try trading. The first bunch of trades were in a high risk market, but they taught him more about the workings of the market mind than reading any textbook could.
The Birth of Zerodha
Nikhil along with his elder brother Nithin Kamath started Zerodha back in 2010. Traditional stockbrokers had stranglehold on India’s market landscape charging healthy brokerage and illiquid platforms.
Zerodha disrupted the market with:
- Zero brokerage on equity investments
- Flat, low-cost fees on intraday and derivatives trading
- User-friendly technology platforms
Zerodha as a name has this concept behind it that for us, in the line trade or investing there should be no hindrance… because Zerodha in Sanskrit language technically means just that Zero( 0) Rodha(obstacle).
Mind you — this was not an easy road, so many people doubted their business model and initial adoption was slow. However, over a span of 10 years, Zerodha ended up becoming the largest retail brokerage firm in India with more than 10 million clients at present.
Nikhil Kamath Net Worth & Financial Standing
And guess what, as of 2025 Nikhil Kamath net worth is approx $4 billion i.e in Indian Rupees ₹33,000 crore. A phenomenal accomplishment that lasted over a decade and turned him into one of the youngest billionaires in India, with Forbes recognising his name year after year.
The wealth of the 43-year-old, father of two, is not just a result of Zerodha but also due his investments via True Beacon (his multi-billion dollar asset management division) as well as several start-ups.
True Beacon – The Next Big Chapter
In 2019, Nikhil established True Beacon – a wealth management outfit for ultra-high-net-worth clients. Breaking the mould completely, unlike traditional mutual funds and PMS services True Beacon charges a zero-fixed-fee and only takes a performance fee based on only if you make money.
Nikhil echoes this approach and his belief that financial services should be transparent and client-centric.
Business Philosophy
Nikhil Kamath’s success isn’t just about numbers. His approach to wealth creation involves:
- Long-term thinking rather than chasing quick profits
- Simplicity in product design and investment strategies
- Alignment of interests between business and clients
- Constant adaptation to technology and market shifts
He has often said that wealth should be a by-product of doing something valuable, not the only goal.
Untold Facts About Nikhil Kamath
Here are some lesser-known but fascinating aspects of his life:
- School Dropout to Billionaire – He left formal education after Class 10 but self-educated himself through real-world experiences.
- Chess Mastermind – Represented Karnataka in national chess tournaments.
- Early Trader – Started trading stocks in his teens without formal training.
- Frugal Lifestyle – Despite his wealth, he avoids extravagant displays of luxury.
- Minimalist Investor – Believes in owning fewer but well-researched investments.
- Philanthropy – Actively supports causes in education, environment, and skill development.
- Podcast Appearances – Shares his views on finance, philosophy, and economics in public forums.
- Young Billionaire – One of India’s youngest billionaires according to Hurun and Forbes.
- Risk-Taker – Doesn’t shy away from unconventional ideas in business.
- Fitness Enthusiast – Maintains a disciplined workout routine.
Lessons from Nikhil Kamath’s Journey
- Education is valuable, but self-learning can be life-changing.
- Start small, think big – Nikhil’s first trades were tiny compared to his later investments.
- Adapt to technology early – Zerodha’s tech-first approach gave them an edge.
- Focus on customer trust – Transparent pricing helped them grow rapidly.
Nikhil Kamath’s Role in India’s Startup Ecosystem
In addition to Zerodha, Nikhil is an active angel investor backing startups in fintech, edtech, healthtech and sustainability. Rajan is investing in companies that are building what he believes to be the future of India, a tech-integrated, financially inclusive society.
He’s also a sounding board for other young developers, who stress patience and long term play rather than chasing short term valuations.
Nikhil Kamath in Media
Nikhil kamath’s views are often countervailing seen from forbes cover stories to viral podcasts. Many beginner and experienced investors alike appreciate his perspective on market cycles, wealth inequality, and the future of investing.
Conclusion
Meet the journey of who is Nikhil Kamath – A storyweaver from adversity; An explorer, & A braveheart walking down a different lane. He’s a teenage chess player turned co-founder of India’s most successful brokerage firm, and he shows us each day that it doesn’t matter where you start, it only matters how hard you try.
However, at this 39 years of age of Nikhil Kamath he stands as a successful role model for many others who want to take risk in life proving that thinking out of the box can not only change your but also change an industry.
10 FAQs about Nikhil Kamath
1. Who is Nikhil Kamath?
Nikhil Kamath is the co-founder of Zerodha and True Beacon, and one of India’s youngest billionaires.
2. What is the age of Nikhil Kamath?
As of 2025, Nikhil Kamath is 39 years old.
3. What is Nikhil Kamath net worth?
His estimated net worth is around $4 billion.
4. What is Nikhil Kamath net worth in rupees?
Approximately ₹33,000 crore in 2025.
5. What is Nikhil Kamath’s educational background?
He dropped out after Class 10 and pursued self-learning.
6. How did Nikhil Kamath start his career?
He worked in a call centre while trading stocks on the side.
7. What is True Beacon?
True Beacon is an asset management firm founded by Nikhil Kamath, focused on ultra-high-net-worth clients.
8. Is Nikhil Kamath a chess player?
Yes, he was a nationally ranked chess player in his youth.
9. Does Nikhil Kamath invest in startups?
Yes, he is an active angel investor across multiple sectors.
10. What is Nikhil Kamath’s philosophy on wealth?
He believes wealth should be a by-product of creating value, not the sole purpose.