EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2024 India

Nithin Kamath
Zerodha

A pioneer who reshaped how India invests

A self-taught trader, Mr. Nithin Kamath has redefined how the new generation invests. The force behind India's largest brokerage, Zerodha, he has reshaped the landscape for millennials and Gen Zs, changing their perception and engagement with financial markets. By pioneering the discount brokerage model, making capital market investing more accessible and cost-effective for all, he democratized access to trading and investment.

Starting as a self-employed trader, Mr. Kamath identified a gap in India's brokerage system and co-founded Zerodha with his brother Nikhil in 2010. Zerodha disrupted the industry with its 'low margin, high volume' approach, offering a flat fee of INR20 per trade or 0.03% of the transaction value. Zerodha now manages equity investments exceeding INR450,000 crore of over 1.5 crore customers and contributes to 15% of daily retail exchange volumes, holding a 16.6% market share as of September 2024.

Zerodha achieved unicorn status in 2020 without external funding. Since then, it continued strategic investments such as Nazara Technologies and Bluestone, and launched India’s first Growth Liquid ETF in January 2024. Recent innovations include free account openings, fully online minor accounts, and a Margin Trading Facility introduced in December 2024.

Close to his heart are financial literacy and sustainability. Mr. Kamath’s philanthropic ventures, such as 'Varsity,' a free financial education portal, and Rainmatter Capital, Zerodha's FinTech fund are taking forward his ambitions of a better future.  He also serves on SEBI’s Secondary Market Advisory Committee and Market Data Advisory Committee.

By making investing simpler, cheaper and more accessible, Mr. Kamath continues to shape the future of India’s financial landscape.