'Where did my youth go?': Zerodha's Nikhil Kamath, one of India's youngest billionaires, gets emotional while addressing MBA students

Nikhil Kamath, co-founder of Zerodha and one of India’s youngest billionaires, has always been known for breaking the rules and carving his own path in the financial world. From dropping out of school at 14 to founding India’s largest retail brokerage firm, he has built a career many dream of but few achieve. Despite his success, Kamath recently shared an emotional moment on Instagram, reminding everyone that even billionaires feel the weight of time.

In his post, he wrote, “Not long ago I used to be the youngest in most rooms, at many things. Now at an MBA college when 25 year olds call me sir, the thing that hits me most is damn, where did my youth go, life is short, even if nothing crazy happens...” The post resonated widely, drawing thousands of likes and hundreds of comments from followers and students.

Many responded with admiration. One comment said, “Thank you for the unfiltered discourse,” while another read, “You already have achieved a lot. More than imagination. Now the word sir is the respect & acknowledgement of people towards your knowledge and the impact you have built during this decade.” Other followers noted the bittersweet feeling of aging. One wrote, “No amount of money ever bought anyone’s youth back! Live it well, it’s not forever.”

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From a Middle-Class Home to Billionaire Status

Kamath’s journey from a middle-class Indian household to billionaire entrepreneur is well documented. According to the UNDP, he dropped out of school at 14, worked at a call centre, and discovered trading at 17. Today, he co-founded Zerodha, which has disrupted India’s financial markets with its low-cost, technology-driven platform, serving over 10 million clients. He also co-founded Gruhas, a venture capital fund, and True Beacon, an asset management firm.


Beyond business, Kamath has been working to empower young Indian entrepreneurs. In April 2023, he launched the WTFund, providing non-dilutive grants to ventures led by individuals aged 25 and under. “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,” Kamath said. He emphasized that early-stage funding is often hard to find and mentorship is scarce, which is where the fund aims to fill the gap.

Focus on Sustainability and Impact

Kamath is also focused on supporting ventures that are environmentally and socially relevant. “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 said.

Reflecting on his personal philosophy, Kamath added, “Staying balanced and remaining curious about the world” has been key to his success. For young founders, he advised, “If you have hired someone to do the job, let them do it,” while warning against taking setbacks personally.

From being the youngest in every room to being called “sir” by MBA students, Kamath’s journey is a reminder of how quickly life moves and how youth can slip by even when nothing extraordinary happens.

Apart from his work in finance and startups, Nikhil Kamath has also been building a presence in conversations around ideas, learning and modern careers through his podcast and public discussions. He has often questioned traditional education models and spoken about how real-world exposure can sometimes teach more than structured classroom learning. In various interactions, he has pointed out that many young people are pushed toward safe career choices without being encouraged to experiment early. He believes curiosity and the ability to unlearn are just as important as formal knowledge, especially in a fast-changing world.