Zerodha's Nikhil Kamath Opens Up About His First Business At 14, Ended By His Mother; Check Here

Kamath, who dropped out of school at 15, openly expressed his dislike for the traditional education system. “I hated school. Always did,” he shared, describing himself as a rebellious child

Nikhil Kamath, co-founder of Zerodha, one of the prominent stockbroking platforms, has forged a distinct path in finance. Renowned for his unconventional journey, Kamath, now 38, recently reflected on his early struggles and entrepreneurial drive in a conversation with LinkedIn CEO Ryan Roslansky. The discussion provided valuable insights into how a rebellious teenager evolved into one of India’s youngest billionaires.

Kamath, who dropped out of school at 15, openly expressed his dislike for the traditional education system. “I hated school. Always did,” he shared, describing himself as a rebellious child who frequently ignored instructions. Despite this, his entrepreneurial instincts surfaced early. At just 14, while still in ninth grade, Kamath launched a small business buying and selling mobile phones.

The venture was short-lived, however, as his mother discovered the operation and flushed the phones down the toilet. Despite this setback, Kamath was unhinged.

After dropping out of school, Kamath took a night shift at a call centre. During breaks, he taught himself stock trading and began managing investments for his colleagues. This was a pivotal moment in his career. "That was the lightbulb moment for what became a rule-breaking journey through India's financial world," LinkedIn highlighted in its blog.

Kamath’s hands-on experience eventually led to the founding of Zerodha in 2010 alongside his brother Nithin Kamath. The platform revolutionised retail stock trading in India by offering low-cost, transparent services. Kamath credits his unconventional journey for shaping his perspective. Reflecting on his path, he emphasised the value of learning through setbacks. I’ve learned everything I have learned only through failure,” he shared. “Success doesn’t teach much outside of creating an ecosystem where it is easier for you to get complacent.”

Kamath also discussed his efforts to stay grounded despite his success. He highlighted the importance of continuous learning, noting that he actively seeks knowledge from those around him and the world.