Nikhil Kamath recalls first business he started at 14, shares how his mother flushed it down the toilet

At the age of 14, while still in the ninth grade, Nikhil Kamath started a small business.

Nikhil Kamath, the co-founder of Zerodha, one of India’s largest stockbroking platforms, has carved a unique path in the world of finance. Known for his unconventional journey, Kamath, now 38, reflected on his early struggles and entrepreneurial spirit during a recent conversation with LinkedIn CEO Ryan Roslansky. The discussion offered an insight into how a rebellious teenager grew into one of India’s youngest billionaires.

Kamath, who dropped out of school at 15, candidly admitted his disdain for the conventional education system. “I hated school. Always did,” he said, describing himself as a rebellious child who often defied instructions. Despite this, his entrepreneurial instincts emerged early. At the age of 14, while still in the ninth grade, Kamath started a small business by buying and selling mobile phones.

The venture was short-lived, however, as his mother discovered the operation and flushed the phones down the toilet. However, this unexpected setback did not deter Kamath.

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 marked a pivotal moment in his career. "That was the lightbulb moment for what became a rule-breaking journey through India's financial world," LinkedIn noted in its blog.

Kamath’s hands-on experience eventually led to the founding of Zerodha alongside his brother, Nithin Kamath, in 2010. The platform revolutionised retail stock trading in India by offering low-cost and transparent services.

Kamath credits his unconventional path for shaping his perspective. Reflecting on his journey, he emphasised the importance of learning through setbacks. “I’ve learned everything I have learned only through failure,” he said. “Success doesn’t teach much outside of creating an ecosystem where it is easier for you to get complacent.”

Kamath also spoke about his efforts to remain grounded despite his success. He highlighted the value of continuous learning, saying he actively seeks knowledge from those around him and the broader world.