Nithin Kamath

Nithin Kamath (born October 5, 1979) is an Indian entrepreneur, stockbroker, and columnist, best known as the founder and CEO of Zerodha, one of India’s largest and most innovative retail brokerage firms. He has been recognized as one of India's wealthiest self-made billionaires, with a net worth of $4.7 billion as of 2024. Nithin is celebrated for his role in democratizing stock trading in India through Zerodha's discount brokerage model.

Nithin Kamath
Nithin Kamath
Born	(1979-10-05)October 5, 1979 Shivamogga, Karnataka, India
Nationality	Indian
Education	Bachelor's in Engineering
Occupation(s)	Entrepreneur, Stockbroker, Columnist
Known for	Founder & CEO of Zerodha
Spouse	Seema Patil
Children	Kiaan Kamath
Parents	U.R Kamath (father) Revati Kamath (mother)
Relatives	Nikhil Kamath (brother)
Website	zerodha.com

Early Life and Education

Nithin Kamath was born on October 5, 1979, in Shivamogga, Karnataka, India, to U.R Kamath and Revati Kamath. He grew up in a middle-class household alongside his younger brother, Nikhil Kamath, who would later become his business partner.

Kamath completed his Bachelor's in Engineering before entering the financial markets. Despite his educational background, he had developed a passion for trading and the stock market from an early age.

Career

Nithin began trading in the Indian equity markets while still in his teens. By the time he completed his education, he had become an active trader. In 2004, he founded Kamath Associates, a portfolio management service that catered to high-net-worth individuals. However, it was his vision to democratize access to the stock markets that led to the creation of Zerodha in 2010, alongside his brother Nikhil.

Zerodha revolutionized the brokerage industry in India by introducing a zero-commission, technology-driven platform, which broke down barriers for retail investors. The name "Zerodha" is a combination of the words "Zero" and "Rodha," the latter meaning "barrier" in Sanskrit, symbolizing the company’s aim to eliminate obstacles for common investors.

As of 2024, Zerodha has more than one crore retail subscribers and accounts for over 15% of retail volumes in the Indian stock market. In FY23, Zerodha reported a revenue of ₹6,875 crore and a profit after tax of ₹2,907 crore, managing an asset base of ₹3 lakh crore.

Kamath is also a co-founder of True Beacon, an asset management company that helps ultra-high-net-worth individuals invest in the Indian markets. In 2021, he co-founded Gruhas, a venture capital fund focused on real estate and proptech investments, with Abhijeet Pai.

Financial Literacy and Education Initiatives

Kamath is a strong advocate for financial literacy and investor education. Under his leadership, Zerodha launched Zerodha Varsity, an educational platform offering free courses and resources to help investors make informed decisions. This initiative aims to enhance financial literacy across India, enabling more people to invest in the stock market with confidence.

Personal Life

Nithin Kamath is married to Seema Patil, and the couple has a son, Kiaan Kamath. Kamath is known for his philanthropic activities, especially in education and sustainable development. He is associated with several charitable foundations, including Rainmatter Foundation, which promotes environmental and social initiatives.

Kamath has also taken part in various social causes and initiatives. His involvement in chess-based charity events, including playing against world champion Viswanathan Anand, has raised awareness for numerous social issues.

Recognition

Nithin Kamath has been recognized for his entrepreneurial achievements through several awards and accolades. He has been featured in prominent lists such as Forbes 30 Under 30, Fortune 40 Under 40, and has been named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum.

See Also

• Nikhil Kamath
• Zerodha
• Stock brokerage
• True Beacon
• Gruhas Ventures

External links

• Zerodha Official Website
• Zerodha Varsity - Educational platform