In a Series B fundraising round headed by Ektha.com, Bengaluru-based pet food company Dogsee Chew has raised $8 million (INR 69.4 crore), with participation from Shivanssh Holdings and the Poddar Family office. The money will be used by the manufacturer of natural pet treats to increase production capacity and strengthen its position in global markets, especially in the US and Canada. Dogsee Chew, which was founded in 2015 by Bhupendra Khanal and Sneh Sharma, makes vegetarian snacks using Himalayan cheese. In a statement, Sharma stated that the brand’s objective is to become the world’s largest manufacturer of Himalayan chews with the assistance of this funding. The business had previously raised $7 million in November 2021, led by Sixth Sense Ventures, and INR 50 Cr in January 2022 from Mankind Pharma and Sixth Sense Ventures. “Our human-grade chews are in high demand. By increasing production and our global footprint, this investment guarantees that we are ready to satisfy this demand,” Khanal said in the release.
Expansion Plan
The company wants to establish distribution centres in strategic international markets, and now it operates in more than 30 countries. Additionally, it will concentrate on fortifying its Amazon Global Selling approach.
Dogsee has established a strong worldwide brand in the natural pet food industry, according to Sreenivasa Musani Reddy, managing director at Ektha. Investors think that by expanding, they will maintain their market dominance. Dogsee Chew, which began with just seven products in 2015, is currently the fourth-largest pet food exporter in India.
Dogsee Chew’s revenue in FY24 was INR 53.76 crore, up from INR 98 crore in FY23, according to data analytics platform TheKredible. In the most recent fiscal year, the company reported a nearly flat loss of INR 27.73 crore.
Global Pet Food Market
Fortune Business Insights, a market research company based in Pune, estimates that the size of the worldwide pet food market was USD 126.66 billion in 2024. The market is anticipated to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.52% from USD 132.92 billion in 2025 to USD 193.65 billion by 2032.In 2024, North America held a 40.6% market share, dominating the pet food industry. Furthermore, due to the increasing rate of pet ownership and the growing trend of pet humanisation, the pet food industry in the United States is expected to increase dramatically, reaching an estimated value of USD 59.76 billion by 2032.
The global market offers pet food items in a variety of forms, including snack treats, wet foods, and dry foods. These goods may come from plants or animals. These products are sold through a variety of distribution channels, including speciality shops, internet platforms, hypermarkets, and supermarkets. The industry has grown significantly in recent years due to the growing number of pets worldwide. Along with the growing humanisation of pets, the market is anticipated to rise rapidly over the course of the projected period.
In order to improve collaboration in the exploration and exploitation of vital minerals, especially lithium, Argentina and India have formally established a partnership. According to a press release from the ministry, the deal was signed on February 19, in front of Raúl Alejandro Jalil, the governor of Catamarca, Argentina, and Union Minister for Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy. The countries talked about increasing cooperation in the mining industry, with an emphasis on lithium exploration and investment prospects, according to the Ministry of Mines’ statement. The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Provincial Government of Catamarca, Argentina, and Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Limited (MECL), a PSU under the Ministry of Mines, was the main event of the meeting, according to the ministry’s statement. This will open the door to further cooperation in the exploration and resource development of critical minerals.
Argentina the most Reliable Ally for India
According to the statement, Argentina has substantial lithium reserves and is regarded as India’s main ally in obtaining vital raw materials needed for batteries for electric vehicles and renewable energy storage. The continuing lithium exploration activities in the Catamarca region by Greenko and Khanij Bidesh India Ltd. (KABIL) were also discussed. The two parties discussed the possibility of more Indian involvement in Argentina’s mining industry, including joint ventures, long-term supply agreements, and possible investment.
In order to ensure a mutually beneficial cooperation, the senior officials discussed legislative frameworks, regulatory elements, and sustainable mining methods. The interaction also emphasised how crucial infrastructure development and information sharing are to enabling India’s participation in Argentina’s mining sector. This deal coincides with India’s larger initiatives to acquire vital minerals needed to meet its objectives for electric mobility and the clean energy revolution. In an effort to fortify its supply chains in the industry, the nation has been aggressively pursuing alliances with mineral-rich countries.
India’s EV Sector
The electric vehicle market in India is expanding quickly as local producers boost output. Businesses like Maruti Suzuki, Mahindra & Mahindra, and Tata Motors are actively growing their EV product lines. The e-Vitara was introduced at an auto exhibition in February by Maruti Suzuki, which had been a latecomer to the EV industry. New models were also displayed by other players, including VinFast from Vietnam.
Additionally, local manufacturers are solidifying their positions at the same time as Tesla’s recruiting announcement. A Tesla entry might cause market disruption and put pressure on domestic companies that have invested heavily in the industry. Mahindra & Mahindra and Tata Motors have resisted any decrease in import taxes, claiming that doing so will hurt their ability to compete.
On February 17, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) temporarily seized INR 10.63 crore in real estate in accordance with the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. The late Amit Bhardwaj is the owner of these assets. According to the agency’s statement on 19 February, the attached properties include commercial buildings situated in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates’ premier business districts.
Following several FIRs against M/s Variable Tech Pte Ltd and a number of people, including the late Amit Bhardwaj, his family members Ajay, Vivek, Simpy, and Mahender Bhardwaj, as well as several MLM agents, the ED launched its investigation. The defendants allegedly promised a 10% monthly return in Bitcoin to gullible members of the public in exchange for significant sums of money in the form of Bitcoins. Investors were promised enormous returns in cryptocurrency assets, and the gathered Bitcoins were allegedly to be used for Bitcoin mining. The promoters, however, defrauded the investors and hid the illicitly obtained Bitcoins in hidden web wallets.
Multiple Search Operations by ED
The ED already carried out several search operations in connection with this investigation. Three people have been taken into custody: Nikhil Mahajan (arrested on January 16, 2023), Nitin Gaur (arrested on December 29, 2023), and Simpy Bhardwaj (arrested on December 17, 2023). In the same case, businessman Raj Kundra and his wife, actress Shilpa Shetty, had immovable and moveable properties valued at INR 97.79 crore seized by the ED. A bungalow in Pune, equity shares owned by Raj Kundra, and a residential unit in Juhu, Mumbai, registered in Shilpa Shetty’s name are among the attached assets. The famous couple contested these notices in the Bombay High Court, claiming that the ED had overreached itself and infringed upon their legal rights. The ED was ordered by the court to wait to issue the eviction notices until the couple appealed to the appellate body.
ED’s Claims
According to the ED, investors were expected to receive substantial returns on their cryptocurrency investments, and the gathered cryptocurrency was to be used for Bitcoin mining.However, according to the agency, the promoters defrauded the investors and were hiding the illicitly obtained Bitcoins in “obscure” online wallets. The ED has already arrested Simpy Bhardwaj, Nitin Gaur, and Nikhil Mahajan. The primary suspects, Ajay and Mahendra Bhardwaj, are still evading capture, according to the federal investigation agency. Since money obtained from the proceeds of crime has travelled outside, the ED has looked to other nations for assistance.
Amit and Vivek Bhardwaj founded Variable Tech in Singapore in 2014, launching BitEx, a cryptocurrency exchange that offers Bitcoin mining contracts, according to the chargesheet filed by the Pune Police. A 10% monthly return on each investment for 18 months was promised under these contracts, and Bitcoin would be used for payout. The company’s scam resulted in the loss of 8,000 investors’ funds. On January 15, 2022, Amit Bhardwaj passed away from cardiac arrest.
The boom of the stock market has been skyrocketing since the 2000s. Imagine a player coming in and letting the traders trade barrier-free. Yes! That has been a reality with Zerodha since 2010 when it was founded by brothers Nithin and Nikhil Kamath.
Headquartered in Bangalore, Zerodha is a financial service company that is registered with the Securities & Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and a member of NSE, BSE, and MCX-SX, built to provide brokerage facilities to the stock market traders. All in all, Zerodha is an online discount broking company that aims to lower the costs for their clients, something that is crucial in deciding the long-term profitability of the trader trading in the stock markets of the country. Zerodha’s journey is a story of revolutionizing India’s stockbroking industry through innovation and accessibility.
Read about Zerodha’s Story, its History, Journey, Business Model, Revenue Model, Founders, Growth, Competitors, and more in the article ahead.
A Bangalore-based fintech/financial services company, Zerodha offers retail stock brokerage facilities at discounted rates along with other opportunities for currency and commodity trading, mutual funds, and bonds.
Zerodha – How it Works?
The company works on the idea of discount broking, which means that it charges a reduced commission or low brokerage on the transactions to ideally attract investors to use this platform. This makes Zerodha famous amongst the traders and is the main reason behind Zerodha having an active client base of 6.3 million.
Zerodha has the first-mover advantage as it was the first discount broker in the country. “Zerodha was incorporated to make trading barrier-free; so is its name, Zerodha, i.e., No Obstructions,” says Nithin Kamath. Another important reason for the highly surging growth of Zerodha is that it puts in constant effort and keeps coming up with innovative ideas and unique strategies, all of which have helped Zerodha get an edge over its rivals.
Zerodha – Founders and Team
The founders of Zerodha are two brothers, namely Nithin Kamath and Nikhil Kamath.
Nithin Kamath
Nithin Kamath Zerodha Founder and CEO
Nithin Kamath, Founder and CEO of Zerodha and Rainmatter Foundation, a non-profit initiative by Zerodha with an aim to improve environmental sustainability, is the older of the two founder brothers of Zerodha. Nithin is an alumnus of the Bangalore Institute of Technology.
After completing his studies, he was initially self-employed as a Proprietary Trader and later served as a Senior Telesales Executive at Manipal Infocom and as a Partner at Kamath Associates. Nithin eventually collaborated with his younger brother, Nikhil Kamath, to find Zerodha.
Nikhil is the younger Kamath brother, who is the Co-Founder of Zerodha along with being the Co-Founder of True Beacon, an asset management firm dedicated to the service of the ultra-rich. Nikhil dropped out of school when he was only 16, after Class 10.
Always keen on trading, Nikhil started with the used cellphone business first when he started selling old cell phones while in the 10th grade. He soon joined a call center after dropping out of school at 17 and started equity trading at the same time in his leisure. Nikhil eventually started managing some money from his friends and colleagues as well, which helped him gain his initial experience in asset management.
He then quit his call center job and started auto trading with his brother, and they eventually founded Zerodha together. Nikhil is known as a brilliant trader. At Zerodha, he manages the prop trading desk, risk management, and everything related to trading.
The company has 501–1,000 employees, as per LinkedIn.
The founder and CEO of Zerodha, Nithin, has been trading in the Indian stock market since the age of 17. Nithin attended an engineering college and then went on to become an entrepreneur. During his college years, he spent considerable time trading in the stock market, and that forced him to take up a job at the call center. Hence, he worked at the call center during the night and saved the daytime for trading.
“I did this, working-trading, for almost 3 years during 2004-5, post which, I quit my job when I got my first client who asked me to manage money for him after looking at the positive returns on my trading account,” says Nithin Kamath.
Though Nithin managed to make quite a fortune by trading in stocks, he lost a significant amount of money in the stock market crash of 2001-02. However, he eventually landed a cheque from a foreign HNI to manage his money, which he did along with landing a job at Reliance Money, where he served as a sub-broker.
Within a very short span, Nitin managed to get many big clients for Reliance Money. At Reliance Money, Nitin was one of the most successful sub-brokers, breaking volumes of more than 1000 sub-brokers at once.
“But as a trader, I was still finding something missing with the way RMoney was working, not really what a trader requires. That is when we decided to start Zerodha,” added Nithin.
Nithin again lost a considerable amount of money in the market crash during the global financial crisis of 2008-09. After this, he decided to change ways and started to develop an idea of building a company that will provide online stockbroking services for all the traders of the country, which will be simple to use and affordable.
Rise of Zerodha
Zerodha – Startup Launch
After the founders, Nikhil and Nitin, founded Zerodha, it took a long time for them to establish a market standing. It was a slow transition that happened over the last decade. Zerodha, in its first year, opened 3,000 accounts. In India, when the cost of any product or service is less, people generally start questioning the quality. And that was the biggest milestone for the Zerodha founders to conquer. As a result of this, they built a community that also helped them in the long run. Even today, Zerodha doesn’t spend any money on advertising.
The focus on building a community for the traders helped Zerodha. This was because the initial doubts of the traders towards Zerodha’s discount broking model stemmed from the fact that retail investors were often clueless about what stocks should be bought or sold and did not ideally offer any research services. To counter this challenge, Zerodha launched Varsity. Varsity is a learning module that has become immensely popular. It ran Trading Q&A, an active forum where traders and investors were able to discuss stock ideas.
Over time, Zerodha used technology heavily to differentiate itself from the rest of the market. Zerodha also went on to launch Coin, which is an online platform to buy mutual funds directly.
Zerodha is firmly committed to working towards the vision of creating a world without any brokers, which will hugely benefit the stakeholders when it comes to the financial markets. Furthermore, the company is equally committed to providing the best possible customer experience with the help of a support and service that can be highly personalized.
Zerodha envisions creating a brokerage-free world.
Zerodha – Name and Logo
“What’s in a name?” William Shakespeare once said, and this is what Zerodha is likely proving with its wide success. Zerodha founder Nithin Kamath indicated the same in a recent post when a LinkedIn user was confused with the naming of the company. Check out the LinkedIn post below to have a quick glimpse into the same.
The name “Zerodha” is an English-Sanskrit portmanteau word consisting of “Zero” in English and “Rodha” (Barriers or Obstructions) in Sanskrit, to sum up as “No Obstructions.” This name of the company directly signifies the birth of the challenge-free online stock-broking platform that Zerodha is!
Zerodha – Products and Features
Zerodha products and features are:
Kite
It’s a modern browser-based trading tool with a wide range of order types, advanced charting, keyboard shortcuts, and streaming quotations that provides a seamless trading experience.
Zerodha has introduced a ‘privacy mode’ on its Kite trading website, allowing users to hide real-time profit and loss (P&L) changes. This feature was launched on 22 August 2024. The feature aims to reduce distractions and the temptation to overtrade. Currently available only on the Kite website, the feature will soon be added to the Kite app as well.
Zerodha Kite Web was launched in November 2015, and the Kite App was launched in November 2019.
Console
The Zerodha console is a dependable back-office platform created for their esteemed clients. It acts as a vital reporting dashboard, allowing users to easily keep track of and manage all of their investments.
Coin
It’s the finest platform for hassle-free and cost-free direct mutual fund investments. Over 40 mutual fund houses’ thousands of equity, debt, hybrid, and ELSS tax-saving schemes are available on the platform. Zerodha Coin Web was launched in April 2017.
Kite Connect API
The Zerodha Kite Connect API offers a number of capabilities for developers to create trade applications and interface them with Zerodha’s trading platform.
Varsity Mobile
Zerodha Varsity Mobile is a free online tool designed to teach people about stock market trading and investments. It is accessible online via a website or a mobile app.
Zerodha – Business Model
The business model of Zerodha works on a ‘low margin and high volume model.’ Zerodha charges a very minimal amount to the traders for transactions, because of which the trading volume is generally high. This fee collection of smaller amounts from a larger number of clients leads to good revenue generation for Zerodha. Also, one more factor aiding high profit margins for the company is operational costs. They are quite low for Zerodha as compared to some of the top brokers because of its online structure, which allows it to maintain low operational costs.
Zerodha has finally gotten approval from the SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) to offer mutual fund services, said Zerodha co-founder Nithin Kamath via his Twitter handle. The company had applied for the license for the same in February 2021. This will help Zerodha launch its asset management company, AMC, and is surely another feather in its cap.
“Passive, simple, cheap index-traded funds will be on offer. Mutual fund products need to be simplified to attract investments from young investors,” said the co-founder and CEO of the brand, Nithin Kamath.
The revenue model of Zerodha can be summed up as follows:
Commission and Fixed Fee Structure: Unlike full-service brokers, who normally charge a percentage of the deal value, Zerodha charges a fixed fee for intraday and futures and options (F&O) trades. Zerodha charges a maximum brokerage of INR 20 for every transaction, regardless of the value of the transaction.
Volume-based Revenue: Drawing a lot of transactions to its platform is Zerodha’s main goal. By providing high-quality goods at a competitive price, their goal is to make money from the sheer number of trades. Despite charging a set fee for each transaction, the daily total money generated by millions of transactions can be rather large.
Startup Incubation: Rainmatter, a subsidiary of Zerodha, acts as a startup incubator for companies in the banking sector. Profitable businesses like CRED, LearnApp, Smallcase, Streak, Tradelab, and CRED all provide revenue to Zerodha in different ways, like equity investments, revenue-sharing contracts, or acquisitions.
Mutual funds and True Beacon: To broaden its portfolio of products, Zerodha introduced True Beacon, an alternative investment fund that targets high-net-worth individuals (HNIs) with a $million minimum investment. Zerodha aims to enter the mutual fund industry and has applied for a mutual fund AMC license as a result of True Beacon’s success.
Zerodha – Shareholding
Zerodha’s shareholding pattern as of March 2023, sourced from Tracxn:
Zerodha Shareholders
Percentage
Nithin Kamath
41.0%
Nikhil Kamath
36.4%
Seema Patil
14.7%
Fund
0.1%
Straddle Capital
0.1%
Rainmatter
–
Austin Global Ventures
–
Other People
0.3%
ESOP Pool
7.5%
Total
100.0%
Zerodha Shareholding
Zerodha – ESOPs
Zerodha created a new ESOP pool for its employees as of November 1, 2021. Under this ESOP Plan 2021, the company has allocated around 7,00,000 options, as per the regulatory filings of the company with the Registrar of Companies (RoC).
The company then issued another ESOP pool that is estimated to be worth around Rs 100 crore at the beginning of Q3 2022.
Zerodha – Challenges Faced
Zerodha, while a prominent player in India’s brokerage landscape, confronts notable challenges, notably technical glitches during periods of heavy trading, and diminishing customer satisfaction. Its customer service system also lags below that of other top brokers.
In contrast to its rivals, Zerodha does not provide important informative resources like news alerts and daily reports, which reduces investor attraction. But Nithin Kamath, the company’s founder, is aggressively resolving these problems. The goal of features such as the nudge feature is to provide traders with well-informed tools for making decisions.
One such tool is the killswitch, which is used to stop losses from occurring continuously. Challenges remain despite efforts; Kamath predicts a possible market correction and an ensuing slowdown in growth in the upcoming months. To preserve its reputation in the brokerage sector, Zerodha is still dedicated to improving the customer experience and overcoming these challenges.
Zerodha – Investments
Zerodha has invested in five companies to date.
Below are the details of the Zerodha investment:
Date
Company Name
Funding Round
Amount
March 27, 2024
Subko Coffee
–
–
Aug 10, 2023
Rainmatter Capital
Venture Round
Rs 1,000 crore
May 10, 2023
Castler
Seed Round
$5 million
Dec 1, 2022
RBL Bank
POST-IPO Equity
–
Apr 26, 2022
Actlogica
Seed Round
–
According to various news reports, Zerodha has exited RBL Bank.
It has 75+ branches and partner offices as of March 2024
Over 1+ crore clients place millions of orders every day as of March 2024
It is trusted by over 1.3 crore customers in the Google Play Store as of March 2024
It has 6.4 million active customers as of October 2023
Zerodha – Financials
Zerodha has shown consistent growth in revenue and profit over the last few years. In FY24, the company saw significant growth in revenue and profit, continuing its upward trajectory from FY23.
Particulars
FY24
FY23
FY22
FY21
Revenue
INR 9,994.5 Cr
INR 6,877.1 Cr
INR 4,964 Cr
INR 2,729.6 Cr
Expenses
INR 3,119.3 Cr
INR 2,992.7 Cr
INR 2,165.1 Cr
INR 1,260.2 Cr
Profit after Tax
INR 1,122 crore
INR 2,094 crore
INR 2,907 crore
INR 4,700 crore
Zerodha Financials
Zerodha has announced revenues higher than INR 8,370 crore and profits of INR 4,700 crore for FY24, as shared in a blog post by co-founder and CEO, Nithin Kamath. This marks a 22% increase in revenue and a 62% rise in post-tax profit compared to the INR 6,875 crore in operational revenue and INR 2,907 crore in profit reported for FY23. The company has yet to file its audited annual report.
In FY23, Zerodha reported a 38.5% increase in revenue, reaching INR 6,875 crore. Profits also grew by 39%, totaling INR 2,907 crore for the year.
Zerodha Revenue:
Zerodha’s revenue has consistently increased over the last few years, with a notable spike in FY24. Revenue from operations saw substantial growth, and other income showed a significant rise in FY24 compared to FY23.
Particulars
FY24
FY23
Revenue from operations
INR 9,372.2 crore
INR 6,832.8 crore
Other income
INR 622.3 crore
INR 44.3 crore
Total revenue
INR 9,994.5 crore
INR 6,877.1 crore
In FY24, Zerodha’s total revenue increased by approximately 45% compared to FY23. The main contributor was the revenue from operations, but other income also saw a significant rise.
Zerodha Expenses:
Zerodha’s expenses grew in FY24 compared to FY23, but the company’s profit still grew substantially. The biggest increase was seen in operational costs, which rose as revenue increased.
Particulars
FY24
FY23
Total expenses
INR 3,119.3 crore
INR 2,992.7 crore
Employee benefit expense
INR 474 crore
INR 623.2 crore
Finance costs
INR 1.9 crore
INR 1.2 crore
Amortization & Depreciation
INR 24.4 crore
INR 20.4 crore
Other expenses
INR 2,619 crore
INR 2,347.9 crore
Zerodha’s expenses increased in FY24, mainly due to higher operational costs, which grew by approximately INR 271.1 Cr compared to FY23.
Zerodha Profit/Loss:
Zerodha’s profit before tax and profit for the year both saw significant growth in FY24. The company’s net profit increased substantially, reflecting the growth in revenue.
Particulars
FY24
FY23
Profit before tax
INR 7,051.7 Cr
INR 3,884.4 Cr
Profit for the year
INR 5,493.4 Cr
INR 2,904.5 Cr
Zerodha’s profit for FY24 saw a notable increase of approximately 89% compared to FY23, reflecting the company’s strong financial performance.
Quick Summary:
Revenue: Significant growth of 45% from FY23 to FY24 (INR 9,994.5 crore in FY24).
Expenses: Operational costs rose with increased revenue, but profit growth outpaced expense increase.
Profit: Net profit increased by 89% in FY24, reaching INR 5,493.4 crore.
Zerodha – Awards
Zerodha won several awards; some of the prominent ones are:
In the second Unicorn Premier League (UPL) tournament, which was played in Bangalore, Zerodha triumphed against Flipkart by a margin of six wickets to win the championship, as per the news report of February 28, 2024.
Nikhil Kamath, the founder of Zerodha, received the 2023 CK Prahalad Next Practice Entrepreneur Award and the Kempegowda 2023 Award.
Nikhil Kamath also won the Entrepreneur of the Year Award at the Economic Times Awards in 2023.
Zerodha – Competitors
Zerodha faces some cutthroat competition in the market. It is competing with other discount brokers like Upstox. Simultaneously, Zerodha also faces serious competition from full-service brokers, which are huge and popular among traders, such as HDFC Securities, Kotak Securities, Motilal Oswal, etc.
Zerodha plans to expand its financial education efforts, with a focus on multilingual tools and resources. The company aims to offer personalized investment solutions using AI, while also broadening its range of ESG and green investment options. Enhancing user experience through improved platform design, exploring blockchain for better transparency and security, and launching initiatives to support underserved communities are key goals for the future.
FAQs
Who are the founders of Zerodha?
The founders of Zerodha are two brothers namely Nithin Kamath and Nikhil Kamath.
What is Zerodha?
Zerodha is a financial service company and a member of NSE, BSE, and MCX providing brokerage facilities to stock market traders. It is an online Discount Broking company.
How Zerodha started?
Zerodha was founded in 2010 by Nithin and Nikhil Kamath. The brothers started the company with the aim of providing low-cost, technology-driven trading solutions. Zerodha’s focus on offering discounted brokerage fees and an easy-to-use platform quickly attracted retail investors, leading to rapid growth in the Indian stock market.
When was Zerodha founded?
Zerodha was launched in 2010.
Who are the Top Competitors of Zerodha?
Zerodha’s top competitors are :
Upstox
SAS Online
IIFL
Finvasia
Angel Broking
Beeline Broking
TradingBells
Karvy Stock Broking
Sharekhan
Motilal Oswal
HDFC Securities
ICICIdirect
How does Zerodha make money, what is Zerodha Revenue Model?
Zerodha generates revenue through its commission and fixed fee structure. Its Rainmatter-led business incubation program also generates revenue through revenue-sharing agreements and equity holdings.
What is Zerodha business model?
Zerodha operates as a low-cost discount brokerage firm, primarily offering online trading services for equities, commodities, and derivatives. It generates revenue through brokerage fees, providing retail investors with access to a wide range of financial instruments via its trading platform, Kite. Zerodha focuses on offering competitive pricing, technology-driven solutions, and educational resources for traders.
What is Discount Broking?
Zerodha works on the idea of discount broking, which means that it charges a reduced commission or low brokerage on the transactions to ideally attract investors to use this platform.
What is Zerodha funding history?
Zerodha has remained bootstrapped since its inception and has not raised any external funding. The company’s growth has been entirely organic, funded by its founders, Nithin and Nikhil Kamath, and its revenue model.
In today’s time, people love to go on road trips to relax and spend time with friends and family. Some time ago, people didn’t need to have driving skills, but at present time the automobile industry has grown a lot, and it has become necessary to have a vehicle in every house and to have driving skills to get their work done quickly to go anywhere. One can learn driving skills through any friend or relative. But most people prefer to learn driving skills from professionals.
So, if you have good driving skills and are good at making other people understand how to drive, you can consider this business to generate revenue. Operating a driving school can be highly profitable, as countless individuals are willing to invest in learning how to drive. But just having a thought is not enough, it requires in-depth knowledge of strict state laws and regulations. Not only that, a good amount of time is required in researching but you need not worry. However, if you look at this article, you can get a legitimate idea of what it takes to start a driving school business in India.
As cities grow and incomes rise, more people want to own cars and need driving lessons. This creates a steady income for driving schools, as they can offer various courses and charge fees for each student. Besides making a profit, driving schools also help improve road safety by teaching responsible driving.
With flexible schedules and personalized training, they attract both beginners and experienced drivers looking to enhance their skills. This combination of financial gain and social impact makes running a driving school a rewarding business.
Guidelines for Starting a Driving School Business in India
You need to follow a set of guidelines before starting a driving school business in India.
Learners must be 18 years old or above. If they’re below 18 years old, they shall not be permitted to learn to drive.
Learners must have completed a high school education.
The learner must qualify for a vehicle examination to receive a driving certificate.
The trainer/Learner must not have any criminal records in the past. For the presence of such records, they will be inspected by a state inspector before you obtain a driving license.
The school trainer must be a trained person. They should not have an offensive driving history.
A well-structured driving school business plan should include market research, startup costs, pricing strategy, legal requirements, infrastructure setup, instructor hiring, course offerings, and marketing strategies for growth.
Driving School Opening Procedure
Step 1: Choose Between Franchise V/S Own Driving School
Before starting a driving school business, it is important to decide, that whether you want to open your driving school in which all the investment and risk will be yours or want to take a franchise of an already established driving school. Franchising is a bit costly as a fixed amount you need to pay to the franchiser, but after that, most of the responsibility of opening a driving school has to be taken care of by the franchiser.
Step 2: Competition Research
Without paying attention to the activities of your competition and making a good plan of action from them, no product or service can survive in the market for a long time. That is why competition research is important to start your driving school. It is necessary to research which companies are already providing this service, what is their fee model, what kind of offers they are giving to their clients, and how to make your school different from theirs.
You can include different classes in your school such as:-
Commercial Driving Classes
This type of driving class trains candidates who can drive heavy trucks, cranes, buses, heavy vehicles, etc.
Test Preparation Classes
This type of driving class can be incorporated for individuals potentially getting ready for the driving tests. You will train them to pass the driving test to obtain a driving license.
Private Driving Classes
You can incorporate a private driving class option for customers who need to be provided with customized training services. These customers are ready to pay more to take personal classes if this idea is agreeable to them.
Grown-up Classes
Working Professionals who have tight schedules are willing to take up these exclusive classes.
Classes for Disabled People
Since your business is open to everyone, you can warmly welcome people with disabilities as well. Therefore, this kind of business focuses on individuals living with physical disabilities.
Step 3: School Name Selection
Keeping a memorable and easy-to-catch name for your driving school is a much-needed task. The company name plays a vital role in the digitalization era, as the domain name and URL name must be the same as the company name to take your company to the digital platform. So that the customer can easily find your website.
Step 4: Location Selection
After finalizing the name, the next important task is to finalize the perfect location for your school, as location plays a vital role in any business success. Generally, renting an area is suitable, so there are some important things to keep in mind while finalizing the location so that customers can be attracted.
Here are some common points to keep in mind:
One classroom, one office.
Parking space must be available for vehicles.
It will be advantageous if the plot is located near the market.
Step 5: Planning The Curriculum And Pricing
Create lesson plans both on theoretical and practical fronts. You can procure pre-packaged lesson materials from your DMV’s (Department of Motor Vehicles) approved list of providers. Your behind-the-wheel lesson plan should include routes that are safe for the student and over time allow them to experience different road and traffic conditions.
Fix Pricing
The pricing of training course modules should be competitive and should be affordable for people. You can charge more for personalized classes conducted for individual learners who are busy professionals or looking for special attention.
Step 6: Allocate the Budget
There is an amount you might need to secure in the first place to initiate a driving school business. The amount you need to set up an office, keep trainers, documentation, types of equipment, cars, rentals, bills, marketing, fuel costs, and the list goes on.
Step 7: Driving Instructor License And Legal Works
Starting up a business always needs proper documentation and a license that you need to opt for. You might need a license for your trainers, photo ID, national identification, medical certifications, and an attached CV.
Points to consider for applying for a driving instructor license.
Must be at least 21 years of age
Only after passing the vision test can the applicant apply for a license
Must have a high school diploma or an equivalent
The applicant must pass a criminal history check
Before obtaining a license, the applicant must pass a physical and mental screening
Your driving record must be presented when you apply. Excessive traffic offenses may disqualify
Other documents that you might need for your driving school business are as follows:
Certificate of Incorporation of Business Plan
Insurance Policy
PAN
License Sales Tax Registration Certification
Employer Identification Number
Sales Tax License
UIDAI
Step 8: Purchase Vehicles And Get a Registration From RTO
If you have a small capital investment, it is advisable to purchase second-hand vehicles. For safety reasons, install additional brakes, accelerators, instructor mirrors, and other features. The RTO is an Indian government office liable for furnishing vehicle enrolment and driving permits in India. It is an Indian Government association responsible for maintaining a database of drivers and vehicles for various states of India.
RTO Activities:
Motor vehicle taxes
Vehicle registration
Vehicle inspection after an accident
You should always check the validity of your motor vehicle insurance.
Issues transport permit (license for motor vehicles).
Step 9: Apply and Get an Insurance for Your Driving School Business
Protection is fundamental for beginning any business because that helps you to cope with loss. Especially for your driving school business, getting the proper insurance is important since preparing unpractised drivers to drive a vehicle may bring about misfortune and harm.
Having insurance covers can help you to protect not only your customer but also your business from any huge liability that may affect the smooth functioning of your business or even become a reason for business insolvency. Some insurance inclusions that are widely used and suggested are:
Public Liability Insurance
ADI (Approved Driving Instructor Insurance), Motor Insurance
Liability Insurance of Employers
GAP Insurance
Breakdown Cover
Step 10: Advertise Your Business
Advertising is one of the crucial parts of the entire driving school business because it will help people get attracted to your business. You need to understand your target audience and make sure that your advertisement has a unique element that might help you to draw yourself away from your rivals. Try new methods, discounts, and other elements that are available around. You can also opt for social media marketing as most people are highly into social media platforms these days. If someone attempts to find you using your name, driving school, and location, they should be able to locate you quickly. It helps to ensure that the business opportunity is secured.
Step 11. Providing Quality Customer Service
Customer satisfaction plays a key role in running a successful driving school in India. To ensure a positive experience, offer personalized attention, especially to students who need extra help. Regularly ask for feedback to understand their experience and improve your services. Following up with students after they complete their course shows that you care about their progress. Providing post-lesson support, especially for those preparing for their driving test, can boost their confidence and help them succeed. This focus on customer care builds trust, improves your reputation, and attracts more students.
So you might be feeling there are a lot to start your own driving school business in India but trust me, once you start, things might not seem easy, but will eventually fall into the right place. It is time to trust your instinct and get ready to take your business off.
FAQs
How to open driving school in India?
The driving school opening procedure in India involves registering the business, obtaining a trade license and RTO approval, setting up classrooms and dual-control vehicles, hiring licensed instructors, offering driving courses, and promoting the school through ads and partnerships.
How much do driving school cost in India?
A car driving learning lesson costs around Rs 3000 to 5000 per month depending on the school you are choosing. The costs may differ depending on whether you choose to learn on a sedan or a hatchback and the duration of the lesson.
How to start a driving school in Kerala?
You require 3 acres of land, 2 classrooms, and a driving track to start a driving school business in Kerala.
How to start a driving school in India?
Choose a niche market.
Create a business plan.
Obtain licenses.
Purchase commercial insurance.
Choose a business location.
Purchase equipment.
Hire drivers.
Are driving instructors self-employed?
Most driving instructors are self-employed, although some are employed on a franchise basis by driving schools. Consequently, many are responsible for marketing their business, maintaining financial accounts and vehicle upkeep.
What are driving school license requirements in India?
To open a driving school in India, you need to obtain a driving school license from the Regional Transport Office (RTO). This includes submitting documents like proof of identity, address, vehicle details, and a lease agreement (if renting premises). Your instructors must have valid licenses, and the vehicles should meet RTO specifications. Additionally, the school premises should comply with local regulations.
What are driving school business ideas?
Some of the best driving school business ideas include:
Online Driving Lessons
Women-Only Driving School
Fleet Training for Corporates
Defensive Driving Courses
Refresher Courses
Driving Test Preparation
Eco-Driving Courses
School Bus Driver Training
Teen Driving Programs
Driver Certification for Specific Vehicles
How to get driving instructor license from RTO in India?
Eligibility:At least 21 years oldValid driving license for 3+ years
Application:Fill out the form at your local RTOSubmit proof of age, address, and driving license
Medical Fitness:Undergo a medical examination
Training:Attend a driving instructor training program
Written and Practical Test:Pass a written test on traffic lawsPass a practical driving test
Fee Payment:Pay the application fee
License Issuance:Receive the driving instructor license after completion
The telecom departments of Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra have fined telecom major Bharti Airtel around INR 8 lakh. Bharti Airtel stated in an exchange filing on February 20 that it has been fined INR 6.59 lakh by the Andhra Pradesh telecom department for allegedly violating subscriber verification standards. The business added that Maharashtra authorities had fined it INR 1.37 lakh for allegedly breaking the rules governing electromagnetic field (EMF) self-certification. The filing explained the cause for the Andhra Pradesh telecom department’s penalty and the alleged infringement of terms and conditions with regard to subscriber verification criteria under the License Agreement, as per the Sample CAF Audit carried out by DoT for December 2024. However, the business clarified that the “maximum financial impact” of the two fines is only as much as the penalty that was assessed. The penalty warnings were sent to Airtel on February 20.
ICIL Selling its Stakes in Bharti Telecom
The aforementioned development follows the company’s announcement that Indian Continent Investment Limited (ICIL), a promoter-group business, had sold 5.11 Cr shares, or 0.84% of Bharti Airtel, in a market transaction valued at INR 8,485.11 Cr. In a subsequent exchange statement, the business stated that this deal comes after Bharti Telecom recently purchased an extra ~1.2% (~7.31 Cr. shares) in Airtel from ICIL in November 2024. This strengthens Bharti Telecom’s previously declared intention to become the primary vehicle to hold a controlling stake in Airtel, as it now owns approximately 40.47% of the company. Notably, Airtel and Vodafone Idea agreed to buy out all of their shares in Firefly Networks, their joint venture, to iBus Network and Infrastructure last month.
Financial Dynamics of Airtel
In the meantime, Airtel declared a net profit of INR 14,781 Cr for the third quarter (Q3) of the fiscal year 2024–25 (FY25), which is 505% more than the INR 2,442 Cr it reported for the same period last year. Additionally, the company’s sales increased by 19% from INR 37,900 Cr in Q3 FY24 to INR 45,129 Cr in the fiscal year under review. During the quarter, the telco’s average revenue per user (ARPU) was INR 245, compared to INR 208 in the third quarter of FY24. Additionally, the business teamed up with Bajaj Finance last month to provide their clients with digital financial services.
According to a media report, of the 37 analysts that follow the company, thirty have a “buy” rating on the stock, three recommend a “hold,” and two recommend a “sell.” An upside of 13.2% is shown by the average price estimate of analysts over the last 12 months.
According to reports, the financially troubled The Good Glamm Group (GGG) is in negotiations to sell digital media platform ScoopWhoop to marketing firm Wubba Lubba Dub Dub (WLDD). According to a media report, WLDD has provided a term sheet, and due diligence is presently being conducted. The report went on to say that although the content-to-commerce unicorn paid INR 100 Cr for the digital media platform in 2021, GGG is aiming to sell ScoopWhoop for INR 18 Cr to INR 20 Cr.
According to the article, the business, which is run by Darpan Sanghvi, intends to utilise the money it makes from the sale of the digital media vertical to cover some of its debts, such as vendor payments and staff salaries. The original ScoopWhoop founders are allegedly suing GGG for failing to pay the promised rewards, which include a second tranche of monetary consideration and stock upside.
GGG Selling Sirona Hygiene Back to Founders
As the group attempts to manage its financial responsibilities, this comes days after the ailing content-to-commerce startup returned Sirona Hygiene back to its original owners. According to earlier reports, the buyback would be mostly funded by the personal assets of Sirona cofounders Deep and Mohit Bajaj. It would also cover the repayment of debts accrued while Sirona was a part of GGG.
Despite claiming profitability, preparations for an initial public offering, and aspirations to expand globally, GGG has been putting out fires on several fronts in the last year. But the reality seems to be very different from its hopeful predictions. Sukhleen Aneja, the CEO of Good Brands Co., resigned from her position last year. In addition, GGG has conducted numerous rounds of layoffs and offered several of its brands for sale in an effort to stay alive.
GGG’s Financial Woes Continue
Good Glamm is going through a reorganisation process. It anticipates raising money, but at a very low valuation because current shareholders have decided not to participate. Deferred pay, layoffs, and the loss of three board members representing significant investors Accel, Bessemer Venture Partners, and Prosus Ventures have all occurred at Good Glamm in the past two months alone.
The business has also looked into selling a variety of brands, including Organic Harvest and The Moms Co., as well as media websites like Miss Malini, Bulbul, and PopXO. It has even attempted to merge with a sizable Thrasio-style company in India. Good Glamm raised money from investors like Prosus and Warburg Pincus, which allowed them to join the unicorn club in 2021. It focuses on creating and marketing beauty and personal care goods, utilising an approach that blends e-commerce with content production to advertise its products.
The newest model in the iPhone 16 series, the iPhone 16e, has been released in India by iPhone manufacturer Apple. Pre-orders for the February 19-launched iPhone 16e will open in 59 countries, including India, on February 21. According to the business, the newest smartphones will go on sale on February 28. The 128GB base variant of the gadget would cost INR 59,900 in India. Additionally, there will be 256GB and 512GB models available, with prices of INR 69,900 and INR 89,900, respectively.
The phone is available with black and white finishes and a range of colourful cases to go with it. For INR 3,900, the iPhone 16e Silicone Case will come in five different colours: lake green, black, white, fuchsia, and winter blue.
The iPhone 16e has all of the features that customers adore about the iPhone 16 lineup, according to Kaiann Drance, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide iPhone Product Marketing. These features include an innovative 2-in-1 camera system, fast performance driven by the latest generation A18 chip, breakthrough battery life, and Apple Intelligence.
Features of iPhone 16e
The iPhone 16e features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display, a durable rear glass, and a Ceramic Shield front cover. According to Apple, the Ceramic Shield front cover has the hardest rear glass in a smartphone and a proprietary composition that makes it more durable than any other smartphone glass. Apple’s most recent A18 chip powers the iPhone 16e. A 4-core GPU is included to manage graphics-intensive operations, while the 6-core CPU is said to be up to 80% faster than the A13 Bionic engine found in the iPhone 11. The C1 is the first modem created by Apple and the most power-efficient modem ever on an iPhone, extending the advantages of Apple silicon and providing dependable and quick 5G cellular communication. According to Apple, exceptional battery life is a result of the A18 silicon, which includes the C1 with a completely new internal design, and the sophisticated power management of iOS 18.
The phone has a 48MP Fusion camera with optical zoom capabilities and a built-in 2x Telephoto lens. The iPhone 16e can record at 60 frames per second in 4K with Dolby Vision. Additionally, the iPhone 16e allows for additional video sound editing options with Audio Mix and records video in Spatial Audio for immersive listening through AirPods, Apple Vision Pro, or a surround sound system. Furthermore, the iPhone 16e has Apple’s satellite capabilities, which allow for the use of Find My, Messages, Roadside Assistance, and Emergency SOS even when cellular and Wi-Fi connectivity is unavailable.
Collaborating AI with ML
The iPhone 16e is designed for Apple Intelligence, the company’s user-friendly personal artificial intelligence system, just like its predecessors in the iPhone 16 series. The 16-core Neural Engine can process machine learning (ML) models up to 6 times quicker than the A13 Bionic and is optimised for big generative models. Among its features is Clean Up in Photos, which uses Apple Intelligence to help users eliminate distractions from photos. Additionally, users can use Image Playground to experiment with different visual expressions, Genmoj to develop emojis, and work tools to add even more vibrancy to their work.
Siri is more conversational and can follow along if users fumble their speech, much like the iPhone 16 models. Users can opt to utilise ChatGPT’s knowledge without switching between apps thanks to its seamless integration with Writing Tools and Siri. In addition to IP68 water and dust protection, Apple Intelligence prioritises user privacy and offers individualised support. According to Apple, the iPhone 16e can outlast the iPhone 11 by up to six hours. iOS 18 operates on the iPhone 16e. Users will be able to switch their primary iPhone language to either Bangla, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, or Urdu in April, according to Apple. Face ID, an action button for instant access to frequently used features and visual intelligence tools, and USB-C wired and wireless charging choices are other highlights.
Apple is Manufacturing the iPhone 16e in India
The IT juggernaut Apple is exporting the recently released iPhone 16e to foreign nations while building it domestically for domestic consumers through its contract manufacturers in India. The entire iPhone 16 lineup, including the iPhone 16e, is being assembled in India for Indian consumers and for export to a few other countries, Apple told a media outlet. Notably, the Tim Cook-led company already assembles previous models of its flagship iPhones, including the iPhone 13, iPhone 14, and iPhone 15, in India.
In an attempt to increase its footprint in India, Meta is establishing a new office in Bengaluru and is currently searching for artificial intelligence product and engineering positions in the city. Major tech companies like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon have already begun establishing engineering and product teams in Bengaluru and throughout the nation, which comes following Meta’s statement. According to the company’s website, there are 41 job vacancies in Bengaluru, mostly for positions like hardware, software, and machine learning engineers.
15 Years of Meta in India
Meta has been a part of the Indian market for around 15 years. As of right now, it maintains offices in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai, New Delhi, and Gurugram. According to estimates, it currently employs between 300 and 400 people in India. Sales, marketing, business development, operations, policy, legal, and finance, however, make up the majority of this workforce. This action appears to be consistent with the tech giant’s overarching plan to improve its engineering prowess, especially in the area of artificial intelligence.
A representative for Meta commented on the development, saying that in order to support its long-term investments, the company frequently updates its location strategies. The company is hiring for a few engineering jobs in Bengaluru as part of this. Last month, Mark Zuckerberg, the company’s CEO, declared that it would increase its spending on AI by double, potentially reaching “hundreds of billions of dollars” in the long run. Number-wise, Meta anticipates spending between $60 and $65 billion this year, primarily on AI data centres, as opposed to $39.23 billion in 2024. In order to put 1 GW of capacity online this year and finish 2025 with 1.3 million GPUs, the corporation is also constructing a 2 GW AI data centre.
CM Fadnavis Says Maharashtra is on Track to Become India’s AI capital
As part of a national initiative to boost the uptake of the rapidly evolving technology, Maharashtra hopes to become the artificial intelligence (AI) capital of India within the next four to five years, according to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Fadnavis stated at the Nascomm Technology and Leadership Forum on February 24 that the Maharashtra government is developing a new AI strategy in an effort to take the lead in the nation’s current AI revolution. According to CM, the committee, which is made up of business leaders, is working on creating a new AI strategy since the state government wants to spearhead this revolution.
In fact, India’s prime minister outlined the nation’s AI roadmap at the AI conference in France. Additionally, he believes that India aspires to be a leader in AI. This comes after Ashish Shelar, the IT minister for Maharashtra, stated that the state was preparing to draft an autonomous AI policy shortly. Fadnavis added that the Maharashtra government has partnered with Microsoft, a supporter of OpenAI, to train and upskill 10,000 women in artificial intelligence. He declared, “We want everyone in Maharashtra to benefit from the AI revolution.”
By giving angel funds access to a larger pool of accredited investors, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), the market watchdog, hopes to broaden the definition of qualified institutional buyers (QIB). The SEBI further suggested lifting the angel fund restriction of 200 investors in its February 21 consultation document. Up till now, private placements have restricted startup investment opportunities to no more than 200 investors under the Companies Act of 2013.
Institutional investors that invest in securities that might not be accessible to ordinary investors include mutual funds, banks, insurance companies, financial institutions, and foreign institutional investors (FIIs). These investors are known as QIBs. The proposal also intends to require angel funds to onboard and only give investment options to accredited investors with a high risk appetite, out of concern for the investors’ financial well-being and investments.
Attracting More Investors
According to SEBI, angel funds can grow by drawing in additional investors who meet regulatory requirements and are independently confirmed to have the requisite risk appetite and understanding. According to SEBI, the deadline for submitting feedback and recommendations on the plan is March 14. The markets watchdog loosened its requirements for alternative investment funds (AIFs) to retain their investments in dematerialised form just days prior to this development.
Additionally, SEBI stated that, with few exceptions, investments made prior to July 1 will not be subject to this rule. However, in order to stop illegal transactions in investors’ demat accounts, SEBI has also been striving to take the initiative to introduce new technological measures. A few days ago, the markets regulator proposed an authentication system that calls for stock broking or trading apps to detect a user’s unique client code (UCC), in addition to SIM cards and mobile devices.
Suggested Modifications
SEBI suggests adding Alternative Investment Funds (AIs) to the ICDR Regulations’ definition of a Qualified Institutional Buyer (QIB), particularly for angel funds. Like QIBs, this inclusion recognises AIs’ financial capability and risk assessment abilities.
It may be possible to lift the current cap of 200 investors per Angel Fund investment. By drawing in more investors and boosting cash flow to start-ups, this modification aims to support the expansion of angel funds.
After being evaluated by outside organisations, AIs are thought to possess the financial stability and risk awareness required to make investments in illiquid, high-risk assets like start-ups.
The regulatory objective of enabling efficient capital raising while protecting investor interests is supported by the inclusion of AIs as QIBs. Angel Funds can invest more in start-ups and promote innovation and economic growth by broadening the pool of qualified investors.
Comments from stakeholders can be posted on the SEBI website. The goal is to maintain strong investor protection measures while ensuring that the regulatory structure efficiently supports the expansion of angel funds.
Nitin Konde
