Nithin Kamath

Nithin Kamath
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Born	1979 Shivamogga, Karnataka, India
Nationality	Indian
Education	Bangalore Institute of Technology
Occupation	Entrepreneur, Trader
Known for	Founder & CEO of Zerodha

Nithin Kamath is an Indian entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of Zerodha, India’s largest stock brokerage firm. Widely recognized as a pioneer in fintech, Kamath revolutionized retail investing by introducing zero-commission trading and building a technology-driven platform that empowered millions of first-time investors.

Early Life and Education

Nithin Kamath was born in 1979 in Shivamogga, Karnataka. While studying engineering at the Bangalore Institute of Technology, he started trading in stocks and derivatives. To support his passion, he worked at a call center during night shifts and traded during the day. Despite losing heavily in the 2001 dot-com crash, he persevered and returned with improved strategies.

Founding Zerodha

In 2010, Nithin and his brother Nikhil Kamath launched Zerodha. The goal was to create a low-cost, transparent platform for retail investors. The name “Zerodha” combines “Zero” and “Rodha” (Sanskrit for barriers), symbolizing zero barriers to entry.

Zerodha quickly disrupted India’s brokerage landscape by offering:

• Zero brokerage on equity delivery trades
• Flat ₹20 on intraday and F&O
• Sleek, intuitive platforms like Kite
• Financial literacy via Zerodha Varsity

Innovations and Growth

• 2013: Launch of Kite trading platform
• 2015: Introduction of Zerodha Varsity (education platform)
• 2017: Becomes India’s largest broker by client base
• 2020: Crosses 10 million registered users

Zerodha remains bootstrapped and profitable—valued over $2 billion without external funding.

Ecosystem and Impact

Kamath extended his vision through:

• Rainmatter – A fintech incubator supporting startups
• Rainmatter Foundation – Promoting sustainability and climate action
• True Beacon – Asset management for HNIs
• Advocating mental health, fitness, and financial inclusion

Awards and Recognition

• EY Entrepreneur of the Year – Startup (2022)
• Forbes India Leadership Awards
• Featured in TIME's 100 Most Influential in Business
• India’s #1 stockbroker by active clients

Future Vision

Nithin Kamath aims to:

• Expand Rainmatter’s ecosystem
• Build AI-driven advisory tools
• Improve accessibility and innovation in investing

Conclusion

Nithin Kamath transformed India’s investing culture with technology, transparency, and self-reliance. Through Zerodha and allied ventures, he continues to empower millions toward financial independence.