Nikhil Kamath (born 5 September 1986) is an Indian entrepreneur and investor, best known as the co-founder of Zerodha, India’s largest retail stock brokerage, and True Beacon, an asset management company. As of 2025, his net worth is around ₹260 crore, and in USD it is $3.1 billion. This makes him one of India’s youngest self-made billionaires. A school dropout, Nikhil started his career in a call center before building a financial empire through trading, tech-driven investing, and ventures like Gruhas.
Wiki: Nikhil Kamath
| Birth Name/Full Name | Nikhil Kamath |
| Birth Date and Age | 5 September 1986 (38 years old as of June 2025) |
| Birthplace | Shimoga, Karnataka, India (raised in Udupi/Bangalore) |
| Zodiac | Virgo ♍ |
| Residence | Bengaluru, Karnataka, India |
| Profession | Entrepreneur, Investor (Co-founder of Zerodha, True Beacon, Gruhas) |
| Upcoming Projects | N/A (Business: Expanding Zerodha, True Beacon, Gruhas, hosting “WTF is” podcast) |
| Active since | 2004 (Kamath Associates); 2010 (Zerodha) |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Religion | Hindu (Brahmin family background) |
| School | Oxford Senior Secondary School, Bangalore (dropped out after 10th grade)27 |
| Education | School dropout; no formal degree |
| College | None |
| Marital Status | Divorced (previously married to Amanda Puravankara)7 |
| Kids | None reported |
Nikhil Kamath Net Worth
As of 2025, Nikhil Kamath’s net worth is estimated ₹260 crore, according to Forbes, Fortune India, and multiple financial reports. Nikhil Kamath net worth in billions is $3.1 billion. This makes him one of India’s youngest self-made billionaires. His wealth primarily comes from his stake in Zerodha, India’s largest retail stockbroker, as well as True Beacon, Gruhas, and a diversified portfolio of investments in both public and private markets.
| Net Worth | ₹260 crore ($3.1 billion) as of 2025, according to Forbes and Fortune India. |
| Revenue Streams | Profits and dividends from Zerodha (stock brokerage), True Beacon (asset management), Gruhas (real estate/venture capital), personal trading, startup investments, podcasting. |
| YouTube Channel | Hosts the “WTF is” podcast on YouTube, featuring interviews with business leaders, entrepreneurs, and influencers |
| Luxury items owned | Owns luxury real estate in Bengaluru and Mumbai, high-end watches, and premium cars; known for a minimalist lifestyle despite significant wealth |
Nikhil Kamath’s Major Brand Endorsements
Nikhil Kamath does not serve as a celebrity brand ambassador for major commercial brands, nor does he participate in traditional endorsement campaigns. Instead, he is recognized for:
Instead, Kamath actively advocates for the global potential of Indian brands, especially in sectors like furniture, jewelry, watches, carpets, lighting, fixtures, and luggage. He encourages entrepreneurs to build and export culturally rich, durable Indian products rather than importing or franchising global brands.
Even though Nikhil is not associated with any brand, he has been associated with innovative Indian fashion brands like 11.11 / eleven eleven, which blend technology and artisanal craft, but as a supporter and consumer, not as a paid endorser. Furthermore, through his leadership and product quality over celebrity-led endorsement, Nikhil advocates for brands to build genuine narratives that resonates with customer.
Nikhil Kamath’s Investments and Business Ventures
His core business ventures include Zerodha, True Beacon, and Gruhas. He is a prominent investor in electric vehicles, climate tech, and startups, with a diversified portfolio across public and private markets. He also shares business insights through his popular podcast.
He co-founded Zerodha in 2010 with Nithin Kamath; India’s largest retail stock brokerage, over 12 million clients, net worth of ₹64,800 crore as of 2025. Major source of revenue and personal wealth.
Nikhil is also the co-founder of True Beacon (2019) along with Richard Pattle. It is an asset management company focused on ultra-high-net-worth individuals and alternative investment strategies.
In 2021, Nikhil co-founded Gruhas with Abhijeet Pal. a real estate and proptech investment platform. Invests in incubators, startups, and special situations, with a focus on property technology and climate tech.
Apart from his business ventures, Nikhil is a strategic investor too. He is a major investor in electric vehicle sector (e.g., Ather Energy, EMO Energy) and climate tech startups (Ossus Biorenewables, Solar Square, Buyofuel) via Gruhas. Actively bets on EVs, battery storage, and renewable energy.
Additionally, he also invests in public equities and private startups, and include markets under his portfolio Nikhil Kamath Nasdaq portfolio.
Philanthropy and Social Contributions by Nikhil Kamath
With his brother Nithin Kamath, Nikhil founded Rainmatter Foundation, committing over $100 million to environmental sustainability and climate action projects, ranking among India’s top young philanthropists.
He donated ₹120 crore to Rainmatter Foundation (2024); donated ₹110 crore in 2023 for climate change and sustainability projects, placing him in the top ranks of the Hurun India Philanthropy List
Nikhil became Youngest Indian to sign The Giving Pledge (2023, age 36), committing to donate at least 50% of his wealth to philanthropy, with a focus on climate change, education, and social equity.
To encourage Indians under 45 with fortunes over $100 million to pledge at least 25% of their wealth to charity. YIPP has raised $8 million for upgrading 300 schools with better computers, career counseling, and student services, Nikhil founded Young India Philanthropic Pledge (YIPP).
Nikhil have also funded school infrastructure upgrades, computer labs, and career counseling, aiming to bridge educational inequality.
Nikhil Kamath’s Personal Life
Born into a culturally rich Konkani Brahmin family, his father, Raghuram (or U.R.) Kamath, was an executive at Canara Bank, and his mother, Revathi Kamath, is an accomplished veena player, environmentalist, and event manager. Nikhil has an elder brother, Nithin Kamath, with whom he co-founded Zerodha and other ventures.
He never pursued a formal degree after dropping out in the 10th grade, and began self-educating, reading extensively, and started working at a call center in Bengaluru at age 17, earning Rs. 8,000 per month while learning about trading. This unconventional path led to his early entry into the financial world, eventually co-founding Zerodha, True Beacon, and Gruhas with his brother.
Previously, Nikhil was married to Amanda Puravankara, but the couple later divorced; he does not have children.
Nikhil Kamath’s Records and Achievements
| Co-founder, Zerodha | Revolutionized Indian stockbroking with India’s first discount brokerage; over 12 million clients; market cap ₹64,800 crore | Founded 2010; now India’s largest retail brokerage |
| Co-founder, True Beacon | Asset management company for ultra-high-net-worth clients; operates on a zero-fee model | Founded 2019 |
| Co-founder, Gruhas | Real estate and proptech investment platform | Founded 2021 |
| Global Recognition | Featured in Forbes Asia 30 Under 30, Forbes India 30 Under 30, Hurun India’s top 10 self-made entrepreneurs of the millennia | 2016–2024 |
| Awards | “Entrepreneur of the Year” by Economic Times; Forbes “30 Under 30” India list | 2016, 2017 |
| Philanthropy | Youngest Indian to sign The Giving Pledge (committed to donate 50% of wealth); founded Rainmatter Foundation and YIPP | Signed 2023; major donations to climate, education, and social equity |
| Podcast Host | Launched and hosts the “WTF is” podcast, interviewing global leaders and entrepreneurs | Since 2023 |
| Market Impact | Led Zerodha to become India’s most innovative and trusted brokerage, democratizing access to financial markets for millions | 2010–present |
| Investment Leadership | Key investor in fintech, proptech, clean tech, and EV startups (e.g., Ossus Biorenewables, Solar Square, Buyofuel, EMO Energy) | 2020s |
| Sports Franchise Owner | Co-owns Bengaluru franchise in Global e-Cricket Premiere League | 2023 |
Nikhil Kamath’s Cars
Nikhil Kamath’s collection includes practical luxury sedans, high-performance sports cars, superbikes, and an electric scooter. He also, along with his brother, gifted their mother a Mercedes-Benz GLS, showcasing both his personal taste and family values.
- Audi A6 (Black, practical city sedan) ~₹60–70 lakh
- Porsche Boxster S (White, convertible sports car) ~₹1.2–1.5 crore
- Maruti Zen (first car) White, family car, price not specified
- Daewoo Matiz (Hatchback) price not specified
- Suzuki Hayabusa (Superbike) ~₹16–18 lakh
- Ather 450X Apex (Electric scooter) ~₹1.5 lakh
- Mercedes-Benz GLS (Gifted to mother (Revathi Kamath)) ~₹1.5 crore
Real Estate and Properties of Nikhil Kamath
Future Plans & Projects of Nikhil Kamath
He publicly promotes the idea of building a global Indian brand around Makhana (fox nuts), highlighting its health benefits and market potential. Nikhil will be exploring differentiated financial products, especially those with a strong research or advisory “moat” and possibly higher fees for premium services.
Nikhil Kamath is bullish on makhana (fox nut) as a superfood and predicts it could become India’s next major global export. He advocates building a large, globally recognized Indian brand around makhana, especially after government support in Budget 2025.
