nithin kamath is not a typical billionaire. he runs zerodha, one of india’s largest brokerages, with over seven million clients . his net worth is estimated at $4.7 billion, ranking him among the world’s wealthiest self-made entrepreneurs .
unlike most high-net-worth individuals, kamath does not manage his own money. his brother nikhil handles the family’s personal investments . but the public holdings, venture investments, and the kamath brothers’ joint investment entities provide a clear picture of their strategy.
net worth. what the numbers show
different sources give different estimates. the variation depends on how zerodha’s private valuation is calculated.
| source | net worth | as of |
|---|---|---|
| forbes | $4.7 billion | july 2026 |
| grizzly bulls | $3.67 billion | april 2026 |
the difference is not a contradiction. it reflects different valuation methodologies. forbes estimates zerodha’s worth at roughly $8 billion . the brothers own 100% of the privately held firm , so changes in its valuation directly affect their net worth.
public holdings. what is known
kamath associates, the investment entity owned by nithin and nikhil kamath, holds significant stakes in publicly listed companies. regulatory filings provide visibility into these holdings.
ather energy. kamath associates held a 1.54% stake as of march 2026, representing 58,84,925 equity shares . when ather energy’s share price rose by ₹45.35 in a single session, the value of this holding increased by approximately ₹26.69 crore in one day .
nazara technologies. kamath associates held a 1.62% stake in india’s only publicly listed gaming company. nksquared, the investment firm led by both brothers, held an additional 1.89% stake. combined, the kamath brothers have significant exposure to the gaming and media sector .
venture investments. rainmatter and direct angel bets
kamath invests in startups through rainmatter, a venture capital fund and incubator that backs fintech companies and ventures promoting financial inclusion . he is also an active angel investor with 28 known investments and 24 active portfolio companies .
recent investments in 2026.
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cultadvisors (commercial products). early-stage vc. deal closed in march 2026 .
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temple (monitoring equipment). startup stage. deal closed in february 2026 .
notable holdings in the active portfolio.
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wastelink (business/productivity software). generating revenue. invested august 2025 .
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metropolitan stock exchange of india (other capital markets). generating revenue. invested december 2024 .
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sparkl (educational software). generating revenue. invested december 2024 .
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sundaygrids (other energy services). generating revenue. invested september 2024 .
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pee safe (personal products). generating revenue. invested september 2023 .
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the whole truth (food products). generating revenue. invested january 2023 .
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galaxeye (aerospace and defense). seed round. invested october 2022 .
investment philosophy. what he actually believes
kamath has been open about his views on investing. several themes recur in his public statements.
index funds over active trading. he has consistently advised retail investors to avoid trading and focus on index funds . “the stock market is the toughest place to make easy money,” he has said. “not all people are cut out for trading and they are better off investing in index funds and instead focusing on improving their careers” .
the 1% rule. kamath shared a simple formula for wealth building: reduce expenses by just 1% and invest those savings. for someone spending ₹50,000 a month, that is ₹500 skipped spending . “over time, this small step forms a powerful habit-and that matters more than the amount” .
patient capital and long-term vision. in an interview, kamath said that money gives him “the freedom and the risk-taking ability to support new ideas” . he does not view wealth as an end in itself. it is fuel for backing founders and ideas.
portfolio concentration and conviction. the kamath brothers’ holdings show a concentrated approach. large stakes in a few companies, significant exposure to specific themes ev, gaming, and energy infrastructure. this is not a diversified portfolio. it reflects high conviction.
what he is watching. market risks
kamath is not silent about risks. he flagged margin trading funding as the single biggest risk facing zerodha. the firm’s mtf book has grown to approximately ₹9,000 crore, with at least half invested in non-f&o stocks . “my biggest nightmare as a broker is what’s happening in the korean markets right now,” he wrote . his concern is that a sharp correction could trigger forced selling in small and mid-cap stocks, creating a self-reinforcing downward spiral.
he has also commented on market structure changes. the new closing auction session for f&o stocks, effective august 3, 2026, could reduce manipulation but also adds operational friction .
frequently asked questions
1. what is nithin kamath’s net worth in 2026 ?
forbes estimates his net worth at $4.7 billion as of july 2026 . grizzly bulls estimates $3.67 billion as of april 2026 . the difference reflects different valuation methods for zerodha, which is privately held.
2. what are nithin kamath’s major holdings ?
kamath associates holds 1.54% in ather energy and 1.62% in nazara technologies . nksquared holds an additional 1.89% in nazara .
3. what is rainmatter ?
rainmatter is a venture capital fund and incubator launched by the kamath brothers. it invests in fintech companies and ventures that promote financial inclusion .
4. does nithin kamath manage his own investments ?
no. nithin kamath has stated that his personal investments are managed by his brother nikhil kamath .
5. what is kamath’s investment advice for retail investors ?
he recommends index funds over active trading . he also suggests reducing expenses by 1% and investing that amount .
