Success Editor Team
Nikhil Kamath’s story is one of the most inspiring rags-to-riches journeys in modern India. Before he became the co-founder of Zerodha, one of the country’s largest stockbroking platforms, and later India’s youngest billionaire, Nikhil lived a reality far removed from the world of finance and entrepreneurship.
He worked night shifts for just ₹8,000 per month, had no college degree, and no external funding to rely on. What he did have was clarity, relentless learning, and an unconventional approach to money and markets — qualities that would eventually reshape India’s investment landscape.
Humble Beginnings: No Degree, No Funding, Just Determination
Nikhil dropped out of school at the age of 14. With no formal education to fall back on, he took up a telemarketing job that paid him ₹8,000 a month. These night shifts were far from glamorous — long hours, targets, and the pressure of selling products he barely believed in.
But these early struggles helped him develop two important skills:
- Understanding people, through cold calls and client interactions
- Building discipline, by surviving in a high-pressure, low-paying job
While his peers pursued degrees, Nikhil quietly educated himself in something far more valuable — the world of markets.
Diving Into Trading: The Turning Point
Even while working night shifts, Nikhil found himself drawn to trading. He began experimenting with small trades, analyzing patterns, and understanding market behaviour. What he lacked in qualifications, he made up for through:
- Self-learning
- Observing charts
- Studying global market trends
- Embracing failures as stepping stones
Soon, he realized he had a natural aptitude for understanding risk and market psychology — an asset many trained traders struggle to master.
Building Zerodha: Starting From Zero
In 2010, along with his brother Nithin Kamath, Nikhil co-founded Zerodha, a discount brokerage startup that aimed to simplify trading for everyday Indians. They had no VC funding, no big network, and no financial backing.
But they did have:
- A clear mission to reduce brokerage fees
- A product built on transparency and simplicity
- A deep understanding of what retail traders actually needed
Zerodha disrupted the entire brokerage industry with its zero-commission model, easy-to-use platform, and customer-first approach.
Becoming India’s Youngest Billionaire
In 2021, Nikhil Kamath became India’s youngest self-made billionaire, a feat that symbolizes how far grit and self-belief can take a person. What started as a journey from a telemarketing desk evolved into building one of the most influential fintech companies in Asia.
His success also opened doors to new ventures like True Beacon and Gruhas, cementing his position as a leading figure in investment and entrepreneurship.
A Story That Inspires Millions
Nikhil Kamath’s life teaches us that:
- A degree is helpful, but not mandatory for success
- Funding is optional — innovation is essential
- Consistent self-learning beats traditional routes
- Humble beginnings can lead to extraordinary achievements
From earning ₹8,000 a month to shaping India’s trading ecosystem, his journey is a reminder that anyone can rise, no matter where they start.
