Nikhil Kamath grew up in a middle-class Indian home, conditioned to dream of safe careers like doctor or engineer. Instead, he dropped out of school when he was 14, started working in a call centre and found his calling in a side hustle – trading - when he was only 17. Today, he is one of India’s youngest billionaires and co-founder of Zerodha, India’s largest retail brokerage firm with over 10 million clients, which disrupted the financial sector by democratizing access to financial markets through its low-cost, technology-driven platform. He also co-founded Gruhas, a venture capital fund and True Beacon, an asset management company. And he is creating opportunities for young entrepreneurs like himself.

He launched the WTFund in April 2023 to support ventures that combine profitability and sustainability and inspire entrepreneurship among Indian youth. The fund supports young Indian entrepreneurs aged 25 and under by providing non-dilutive grants, funding that doesn’t require recipients to give up company equity. He says it is an attempt to harness the youth’s entrepreneurship potential. India, after all, has one of the largest youth populations in the world, with 66 per cent of its population (808 million) below the age of 35. If this potential is harnessed right, Kamath believes it could be the country’s most significant innovation and economic growth asset.

“Entrepreneurship requires a completely different mindset. It’s a skill set that needs to be nurtured. Frankly, we’re not doing enough to instill this spirit in our youth,” he says. “Our education system pushes people towards more conventional career paths.” But entrepreneurship comes with its challenges, he admits. For example, early-stage funding is often impossible because most investors want to see proof of concept before they step in. “But what about when all you’ve got is an idea and conviction?” he asks.

There are gaps in the stage of execution, too. “Having an idea is just the beginning; bringing it to life is the real challenge. Many young founders don’t have experienced mentors guiding them through the inevitable roadblocks,” he says. This is where the fund comes in, providing a support system to young people to build sustainable businesses. Another focus for Kamath is to invest in businesses that are sustainable and that create social impact. “Ultimately, businesses that don’t consider their broader impact will be left behind, not just by consumers, but by the market itself. 

When I look at startups beyond the usual metrics like scalability and market size, I’m asking: Does this solve a real problem? Does it make a tangible difference to people’s lives? If it’s environmentally or socially relevant, it’s a win-win,” he says. And the secret to his success? “Staying balanced and remaining curious about the world,” he says.