The shareholders of Lenskart have given their consent for the company to raise INR 2,150 Cr ($248.7 Mn) through a new share offering as part of the first public offering (IPO).
What’s Included in the Upcoming Lenskart IPO?
A secondary offer for sale (OFS) component by current investors will also be included in Lenskart’s new issuance, according to the company’s filings with the MCA.
Additional corporate and other approvals are pending for the listing. The first to report on the development was CNBC TV18. According to reports, the total IPO amount is anticipated to be approximately $1 billion, or INR 8,500 crore.
Moreover, Lenskart suggested listing the equity shares on the National Stock Market of India Limited, the BSE Limited, and any other stock market that its board deemed appropriate.
Key Filings and Financial Updates
The company also obtained the board’s in-principle approval to distribute equity shares worth up to INR 430 Cr to specific investors, according to the document. The allocation would take place on or before the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) receives the red herring prospectus (RHP). In the meantime, the Lenskart Employee Stock Option Plan, 2025 (ESOP 2025), granted 7,280,431 equity shares to qualified employees.
This comes weeks after the massive eyeglasses company became a public company. Additionally, sources stated that Peyush Bansal, the cofounder and CEO of Lenskart, was seeking to repurchase 1.5–2% of the company from its current investors, which included TR Capital, SoftBank, Chiratae Ventures, and Kedaara Capital, for approximately $150 million.
Lenskart’s Global Footprint & Investor Backing
Lenskart, an omnichannel eyewear shop with locations in India, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, and Japan, was founded in 2010 by Bansal, Amit Chaudhury, and Sumeet Kapahi.
According to the company, it has over 2,500 outlets and 2 Cr customers. Up to this point, the Gurugram-based business has raised more than $1.75 billion from investors, including Temasek, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, and ChrysCapital. In terms of finances, the firm reduced its net loss from INR 64 Cr in the prior fiscal year to INR 10 Cr in FY24, an 84% decrease.
In the meantime, operating revenue increased 43% from INR 3,788 Cr in FY23 to INR 5,427.7 Cr in the reviewed year. Additionally, several startups have been moving forward with their intentions for a public offering at this time.
Lenskart Joins India’s Tech IPO Wave
Lenskart joined the line of cutting-edge IT firms that are planning to debut their public issues, such as Physics Wallah, Wakefit, Pine Labs, Shadowfax, Amagi, Curefoods, Capillary Technologies, Shiprocket, and Urban Company. UBS, Avendus Capital, IIFL, and JM Financial were reportedly hired as lead managers by supply chain solutions firm Leap India earlier today in preparation for its impending market debut.
Lenskart Files for INR 2,150 Cr IPO With SEBI, Eyes Market Expansion
The market watchdog SEBI has received Lenskart’s draft red herring prospectus (DRHP), which aims to raise up to INR 2,150 Cr through a new share offering. An offer for sale (OFS) of up to 13.2 Cr shares by current investors will also be included in the initial public offering (IPO).
The shares will be sold through the OFS by promoters Peyush Bansal, Neha Bansal, Amit Chaudhary, and Sumeet Kapahi, as well as institutional investors SVF II Lightbulb (SoftBank), Schroders, PI Opportunities, Macritchie Investments, Kedaara Capital, and Alpha Wave Ventures. LensKart may also fund up to INR 430 Cr in a pre-IPO placement, according to the DRHP.
A total of INR 272.6 Cr would be set aside for capital expenditures to construct and outfit new Company Owned, Company Operated (CoCo) outlets. For the company’s CoCo outlets, an additional INR 591.4 Cr will be used for lease, rent, and license-related expenses.
Additionally, INR 320 Cr is set aside for marketing, brand promotion, and advertising to increase public awareness and draw in new clients, while INR 213.3 Cr will be utilised for the expansion and upgrade of cloud infrastructure and technology systems.
After being accused by the market watchdog of manipulating index prices to increase profits at the expense of small investors, Jane Street, a US-based trading firm, found itself at the focus of a regulatory maelstrom in India.
SEBI Accuses Jane Street of Index Price Manipulation
The company was temporarily prohibited from engaging in its securities markets by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on July 3. According to the regulator, Jane Street engaged in a concerted trading strategy that manipulated prices in the Bank Nifty index of India, deceiving investors and making money off of the ensuing volatility.
Jane Street, which has denied any wrongdoing, is now contesting the ruling. It has returned to trading in the Indian market and placed about INR 4,800 crore, or around $560 million, into an escrow account. A discussion between legal arbitrage and criminal market manipulation has been sparked by the case, which has left some institutional investors uneasy and may possibly act as a bigger wake-up call for India’s financial industry.
Jane Street’s Global Operations and Indian Footprint
Jane Street is a global quantitative trading company that trades quickly and across markets using mathematical models and algorithms. It is one of the biggest companies on Wall Street, with operations in over 45 countries and more than 3,000 people.
The company was a major player in the Indian cash market, where investors purchase and sell real shares, as well as the derivatives market, where traders wager on future price changes using tools like options and futures.
What Is Arbitrage? And Why SEBI Objects
A legitimate trading tactic that capitalises on price variations across markets is arbitrage. This implies that a trader can purchase low in one market and sell high in another if a stock is selling at slightly different prices on two exchanges. Arbitrage between the cash and derivatives markets is common in India, where traders can buy and sell related assets at the same time to lock in modest, low-risk gains. In India, arbitrage is permitted as long as the trades are founded on current inefficiencies and don’t aim to inflate prices.
According to V. Raghunathan, a former member of the SEBI main market board, arbitrage may even be advantageous since it can help align prices, increasing market efficiency, as he told CNBC. It is against the law to manipulate the market. It entails purposefully manipulating prices or fabricating a false sense of market activity.
This could involve strategies like manipulating pricing without a sound economic justification, boosting demand artificially, or making trades only to affect market results.
How ‘Marking the Close’ Triggered SEBI Action?
SEBI claims that Jane Street implemented a coordinated trading strategy in the Bank Nifty index by using a number of organisations. According to the market regulator, the index price increased as a result of one company purchasing substantial amounts of banking stocks early in the morning.
In anticipation of a decline in the index, a different business simultaneously entered bets in the futures market. Jane Street is accused of selling off the previous stock purchases in huge quantities around the end of the trading day, especially on expiry days when derivative contracts are paid, which caused the index to decline.
According to Sebi, the firm’s wagers on declining prices were more profitable as a result of this price decline. “Marking the close” is the term for this tactic, which is deemed manipulative if it entails purposefully affecting prices in the last minutes of trading.
According to Sebi, Jane Street’s conduct produced a false and deceptive impression of market activity, which led to distorted trading levels and losses for individual investors. Jane Street has called its activities “basic index arbitrage” and denied any manipulation.
According to reports, AceVector, the parent company of e-commerce site Snapdeal, is getting ready to submit its draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) for an INR 500 Cr IPO. According to a media report, which cited sources, AceVector’s public offering will mostly consist of a new share offering.
A media report that cited a source in the firm states that CLSA and IIFL are expected to serve as the proposed IPO’s bankers and that the proposed issue will be mostly primary capital. In addition to Snapdeal, AceVector is the parent company of Stellaro Brands, a house of brands platform, and Unicommerce, a listed e-commerce enabling platform.
In 2022, the three companies were combined under a single group brand. The largest shareholders in the combined business are SoftBank, Nexus Venture Partners, and cofounders Kunal Bahl and Rohit Bansal.
AceVector’s Ventures and Current Position
Snapdeal was founded in 2010 and caters to consumers in smaller cities and towns with an emphasis on value e-commerce. Non-metropolitan regions account for more than 80% of Snapdeal’s orders.
Clothing, home goods, and personal care items make up the great bulk of the products offered on the platform, a value-based shopping site, and most of them cost less than INR 600. On one occasion, though, the platform lost steam and was about to shut down.
In 2017, Snapdeal seriously considered merging with Flipkart, but the deal fell through. It gradually got back on track with its transition to a value-based e-commerce proposition. According to experts, about 65% of Indian internet buyers would come from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities by 2030, which is in accordance with Snapdeal’s business strategy.
A technology platform called Unicommerce offers online retailers a complete solution for handling orders, inventory, shipping, and marketing. The company’s offerings will be expanded after Unicommerce purchased Shipway, a shipping solutions provider, in 2024 after a highly successful initial public offering (IPO) that was oversubscribed 168 times.
A platform called Stellaro Brands creates reasonably priced consumer brands. The primary brand is Rangita, which specialises in South Indian ethnic clothing sales for women both online and in-store. Through a variety of local and online means, Rangita is currently seeking to increase its presence in additional cities.
Indian Startups’ IPO Carnival Continues
AceVector is now the newest IT company to join the IPO trend as a result of this. This year, Ather Energy and ArisInfra have both gone public on stock exchanges. On 17 July, coworking giant Smartworks is anticipated to go public on the stock exchanges.
Moreover, 19 cutting-edge tech firms, including Groww, Meesho, Urban Company, and others, have submitted their DRHPs for listing with SEBI. The market regulator has given regulatory clearances to a number of them.
The massive coworking company WeWork India also received SEBI approval yesterday to begin its first public offering (IPO). A few days ago, Smartworks’ public offering ended with a 13.45X oversubscription, with buyers purchasing 13.9 Cr shares instead of the 1.04 Cr available.
As it prepares for a public offering, meat and seafood firm Captain Fresh became a public corporation last week.
In a block transaction valued at INR 97.44 Cr, VC company Elevation Capital, formerly SAIF Partners India, sold more than 53.98 lakh shares of online travel aggregator (OTA) ixigo on June 19.
In contrast to the stock’s last closing price of 180.65 on the BSE on June 18, the investment firm, through Saif Partners India IV Limited, sold the shares at INR 180.50 per share, according to BSE data.
Schroder International Selection Fund Asian Total Return purchased 53.69 lakh shares of the shares that flooded the market at the same price, for a total of INR 96.9 Cr.
One of the largest investors in Le Travenues Technology Ltd, the parent firm of the travel technology company, is Elevation Capital. By the conclusion of the March quarter of 2025, it held a 14.02% interest in ixigo. Elevation Capital has divested its stake in the company for the second time in the past month. For INR 38.27 Cr, the venture capital firm sold over 21.5 lakh shares of ixigo in May.
ixigo Witnessing Upward Trend
Due to increased profitability and a growing top line, ixigo’s shares have been rising at the time of the block purchase. The company’s stock is up 5.19% year-to-date (YTD), and its shares have soared 31.56% in the last three months.
Since going public last year, the stock has increased by more than 89% from its INR 93 listing price.
In terms of finances, the OTA’s consolidated net profit jumped 127% from INR 7.4 Cr in the previous quarter to INR 16.8 Cr in Q4 FY25. From INR 164.9 Cr in Q4 FY24 to INR 284.1 Cr in the reviewed quarter, operating revenue increased by 72%.
ixigo’s Recent Business Developments
ixigo was first established in 2007 by Aloke Bajpai and Rajnish Kumar as a travel search engine to assist users in comparing airfares. Later, it changed course and became an online travel agency (OTA), allowing customers to buy hotel rooms, vacation packages, and tickets for flights, trains, and buses.
Additionally, it offers automated customer service and tailored recommendations. The corporation claims to have 83 million monthly active users and 544 million annual active users.
Hotel and flight reservations to Turkey and Azerbaijan were suspended by the travel technology company, which competes with MakeMyTrip and EaseMyTrip, last month as these countries supported Pakistan during recent Indo-Pak escalations.
ixigo management stated on their Q4 results call that if the circumstances alter, the company will reevaluate its position.
This transaction is representative of a new stage in the lifecycle of Indian entrepreneurs, one that combines global asset manager involvement, VC returns, and post-IPO investor trust.
Now that more than 100 Indian firms have joined the unicorn club, attention is focused on those that scale, sustain, and generate profits.
For the upcoming generation of Indian entrepreneurs, ixigo’s transformation from a resilient OTA startup to a publicly traded company drawing in foreign investment provides an encouraging path forward.
Market commentator Sanjiv Bhasin and eleven other individuals and firms have been banned by the Securities and Exchange Board (SEBI), which oversees capital markets, for engaging in front-running and manipulating the market.
Additionally, the regulator has ordered that these parties forfeit more than INR 11.4 crore in illegal earnings that were purportedly obtained from these crimes.
These persons have participated in market manipulation through stock recommendations made on television channels and various social media platforms, according to SEBI’s 149-page interim ex-parte order issued on 17 June.
Bhasin, his cousin Lalit Bhasin, Lalit’s brother-in-law Ashish Kapur, and other family members, dealers, and associated businesses, including Bhasin’s RRB Master Securities, Delhi, are among the 12 noticees who have been prohibited from using the securities market.
Additionally, they are not allowed to purchase, sell, or deal in securities in any way, either directly or indirectly. Additionally, SEBI stated in the ruling that their bank and demat accounts had been frozen as a result of the purportedly illegal gains.
What SEBI’s Order States?
In the 149-page order passed by whole-time member Kamlesh C Varshney, SEBI stated that the total amount of unlawful gains earned from the alleged violations, which is INR 11,37,19,170, will be impounded jointly and severally.
The noticees are directed to open fixed deposit accounts in a scheduled commercial bank to credit/deposit the aforementioned amount of unlawful gains jointly and severally with a lien marked in favour of SEBI.
The amount kept in the accounts will not be released without SEBI’s permission. Bhasin, noticee 1, has been told by Sebi to save the records of his several social media accounts until further instructions are given.
Additionally, it stated that the noticees must not sell or alienate any of their assets or properties until the amount of their illegal earnings has been credited to fixed deposit accounts, unless SEBI has granted them prior authorisation.
Accused Ordered to Provide Details of Movable and Immovable Assets
Additionally, the accused have been ordered to submit a comprehensive list of all of their assets, both immovable and movable. They can ask for a personal hearing and have 21 days from the date of order receipt to submit responses to SEBI. Bhasin, a director at IIFL Securities, reportedly traded through the broker RRB Master Securities, Delhi, according to SEBI’s probe.
He would first purchase assets for himself before recommending them to the general public via the IIFL Telegram channel and/or news outlets like Zed Business and ET Now. Bhasin would sell these securities and turn a profit after their prices increased as a result of his advice. SEBI came to the conclusion that he made “ill-gotten gains” by manipulating security prices.
In contrast to his own suggestions made on media outlets throughout the investigation period, the SEBI probe discovered that he traded through RRB Master Securities in the accounts of its clients Venus Portfolios, Gemini Portfolios, and HB Stock Holdings.
In the accounts of Venus, Gemini, and HB, Bhasin would square off his positions (mostly sell), frequently in a matter of minutes, through dealers of RRB Master, even though he was mostly giving “buy” recommendations to viewers/followers on media channels and other platforms.
According to the evidence, he would stay in constant communication with dealers and instruct them to follow buy/sell orders right away, as stated in the order.
Following a significant block transaction by its promoter company, Samayat Services LLP, Vishal Mega Mart shares dropped 4% on June 17. Through a block sale of INR 10,000–10,500 crore, Samayat Services LLP, supported by Partners Group and Kedaara Capital, sold off about 20% of its equity, lowering the promoter ownership from 74.5% to roughly 55–60%.
The transaction, which took place soon after the pre-IPO lock-in period ended, suggests a calculated withdrawal by private equity investors, according to SEBI-registered analyst A&Y Market Research.
In India, Vishal Mega Mart is a multifaceted retailer that mostly functions as a chain of hypermarkets. Their main focus is on offering middle-class and lower-middle-class consumers a large selection of goods at reasonable costs.
They sell goods under the headings of clothing, general merchandise, and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), which includes household necessities, consumables, and personal care products.
Significant Shift in Company’s Ownership Structure
The ownership structure of the business has undergone a significant change, even though promoters still possess a majority share.
After successfully retesting the INR 114 support level, Vishal Mega Mart has surged higher on good volumes, indicating bullish momentum, according to A&Y Market Research.
Buyer strength above INR 115 was confirmed by the stock’s extended upward trend. A&Y Market Research has recommended setting a stop-loss at INR 113 and has set mid- to-long-term goals for the stock at INR 133, INR 140, and INR 146.
Thumping Performance in FY25
Driven by aggressive expansion and robust consumer demand, Vishal Mega Mart produced a strong operational performance in FY25. With revenues up 23% year over year and net profit up 88%, the company’s financial performance in Q4 FY25 was strong.
With the addition of 85 more stores throughout the year, including 28 in Q4 alone, the company now has 696 locations in 458 cities. The gain in same-store sales was equally significant, averaging 11.8% for the entire year and 13.4% for the fourth quarter.
According to A&Y Market Research, return measures are still strong, with return on equity (ROE) hovering around 8% and return on capital employed (ROCE) above 11%. But the research firm highlighted that the bloated valuations are still a problem.
There is little margin for mistake because the company trades at a high 92x price-to-earnings (P/E) and 9x price-to-book (P/B) ratio. Furthermore, historical margin volatility—particularly in FY24—may raise concerns for investors who are risk averse.
The A&Y Market Research has advised traders to keep an eye on the company’s FII/DII activities, clues about promoter reinvestment, and general emotions. Retail sentiment turned “extremely bullish” amid “extremely high” message volumes, according to data from Stocktwits.
In light of the increased volatility in the Indian stock market as a result of uncertainties surrounding international trade, Nithin Kamath, co-founder and CEO of Zerodha, has offered some nuanced guidance for D-Street investors. “It won’t be a bad idea” for investors to “take a break from trading and recharge,” according to Kamath. “You’re going to need it, based on what’s happening,” he stated. The head of the discount broking stated on the microblogging site “X” that there will only be four trading days in the next ten days due to the Indian stock market’s scheduled closures for the forthcoming festivals. Investors should therefore refrain from trading in “potentially crippling conditions” due to low trade volumes and worries about a worldwide recession. The leader of India Inc. asserts that in order to trade profitably, investors must keep an eye on both the market and their own emotional states. According to Kamath, “It’s best to stand aside and wait for the situation to change” when neither is favourable for trade. Kamath’s statements coincide with the growing international trade conflict brought on by US President Donald Trump’s tariff increases.
Staying Out for More Profitable Trade in Future
According to Kamath, investors can survive to trade another day when they are in the best possible frame of mind and the market is at its best. Currently, all they need to do is to avoid the markets. The majority of market analysts predict that volatility will persist until trade war worries fade and economic growth stabilises. “Now is a good time to heed this advice,” the CEO of Zerodha wrote in a post on “X”. There are just four trade days in the next ten days. Taking a break from trading to refuel is not a terrible idea. Based on the current situation, you will require it. According to Kamath’s post, in order to trade well, you must keep an eye on both your psychological and market moods. It’s advisable to take a back seat and wait for things to improve if one of them makes trading difficult. Don’t make the mistake of believing that you should trade despite these potentially crippling circumstances, he added. By avoiding the markets, you can live to trade another day when the market is at its best and you’re in the best possible frame of mind.
Why to Avoid the Market Now?
It is often necessary for even seasoned professionals to take a step back and reconsider their approaches. Recognise your limitations, take a break, and then, when you’re ready, enter the markets. On certain days, one feels worn out, depressed, or simply not in their best mood. Traders could find it difficult to keep the optimistic, unbiased attitude they require for trading during these periods. Because their psychological reserves are exhausted, they could behave impulsively or emotionally. According to seasoned pros, investors perform best when their previous approach begins to fail and they need to come up with a new one. They see the situation as a puzzle that they need to figure out. They observe the techniques closely while removing themselves from the market. They seek the reason why the strategy didn’t work and anticipate making adjustments till it does.
For investors seeking fast-growing prospects, three stocks from different market segments—large cap, mid cap, and small cap—represent three very promising opportunities. These stocks are projected to yield substantial returns over the next 12 months, with some of the projections indicating gains approaching 40%.
Short-Term Investment: Smallcap Stock
One of the most appealing short-term investment opportunities can be found in Alembic Ltd, a firm that has solid bases in both the pharmaceutical and real estate sectors. With substantial stakes in Alembic Pharma, as well as real estate projects that can be turned into cash fairly quickly, this stock has a strong argument in favor of buying it.
The stock has experienced a decline from INR 170 to about INR 100, presenting a favorable opportunity for entry. Analysts underscore the absence of debt at Alembic Ltd., alongside robust cash flows and several technical indicators that suggest the formation is now a double-bottom pattern and an uptrend is imminent.
Target Price: INR 150 over the next six months, indicating the potential to rise by 39.21%.
Positional Investment: Defense Sector PSU Stock
Investments in the defense sector are bound to reap attractive results in the current unsettling geopolitical scenario. Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL), a premier public sector undertaking in the defense domain, has a well-laid-out plan that, coupled with increased government attention on defense manufacturing, is likely to yield quite a few benefits in the coming years.
Recent financial outcomes show slight margin pressures; however, growth in overall revenue and profits continues to impress. With shares of defense contractors finding some support at long-term moving average lines, the risk of a meaningful pullback seems rather limited. BDL looks like a solid choice for a longer-term investment.
Price Target: INR 1,530 to INR 1,570 within six months, giving you up to 16.46% returns. Each possible cessation of losses goes by way of a stop at INR 1,230. That’s what it says. It seems safe to say the authors think it is going to be somewhat up in the medium term.
Shree Digvijay Cement is a beacon of promise for long-term investors. It’s not the sector’s strongest player, but it benefits from the overall cement industry’s consolidation. Much like other well-run cement firms, Shree Digvijijay should enjoy rising prices in the near future, driven by the prospects of a real estate demand surge and potential interest rate cuts.
The stock has fallen by 27.43% in the last year, potentially making it a value-buy.
Target Price: INR 83 to INR 85 within 9-12 months, suggesting an 11.18% upside. Stop-loss set at INR 69.
These stocks provide varied paths for growth, with a blend of positional, short-term, and long-term opportunities that diversify their construction. They all seem like promising investments, but as always, investors should be doing their own homework and considering the current state of the market before pulling the trigger on any of them.
Is it just me, or is skipping school or the college exit door like a secret handshake to the world of success and stardom? There are so many dropouts-turned-superstars out there that it’s starting to seem like an underground club, where the membership fee is ditching the classroom.
On a lighter note, we usually encounter successful people who don’t hold a proper or suitable college degree. But such people have created a history that stands as a testimony to their intellect for all the future.
In this article, we explore the journey of one such person, who dropped out of school to later found India’s largest stockbroker – Zerodha. We will explore the success story of Nikhil Kamath, early life, his education, personal life, career, investments, and much more.
Nikhil Kamath was born in Karnataka, India, in 1986. Since his dad was a bank employee, he often got transfers. Nikhil was 9 years old when they finally settled in Bangalore.
Though Nikhil displayed a strong aptitude for mathematics and problem-solving from a young age, he hated the traditional way of taking formal school education. In Bangalore, he attended a local school. Since the school didn’t let him appear for the 10th board exams citing his disinterest in studies as a reason, he decided to drop out of school. Thus, Nikhil didn’t have a formal mode of education after that.
Nikhil Kamath – Career
After dropping out of school in 10th grade, which was a huge decision, Nikhil Kamath’s journey to success was a remarkable tale of determination and resourcefulness.
After leaving school without a clear plan, he found himself working at a call center at the age of 17. To make ends meet, he even faked his birth certificate to land the job, which paid him a meager salary of INR 8,000.
During those challenging times, he labored at the call center from 4 PM to 1 AM, and in the mornings, he delved into the world of trading. Nikhil learned the ropes of life outside his family’s protective cocoon, and he discovered that it was in the outside world where the real lessons were learned.
Around the age of 18, Nikhil decided to venture into stock trading more seriously. His father entrusted him with some of his savings. This leap of faith from his father marked the beginning of Nikhil’s journey as a trader. He not only managed his father’s money successfully but also convinced his manager at the call center to invest in stocks.
It turned out to be a fruitful endeavor, and soon, others followed suit, allowing Nikhil to manage their funds. In his final year at the call center, he cleverly managed the entire team’s money, which meant he didn’t have to go to work physically, yet he received incentives.
Zerodha’s Inception
Nikhil’s ambition eventually led him to leave his job and team up with his older brother Nithin Kamath, to launch Kamath Associates in 2010, which later evolved into the highly successful brokerage firm, Zerodha. His journey from a call center employee to a prominent figure in the financial world is a testament to his resourcefulness and dedication.
Nikhil Kamath – Personal life
Nikhil Kamath resides in the city of Bangalore, India. His parents are U.R. Kamath, an employee of Canara Bank, and Revathi Kamath. He was married to Amanda Puravankara who was the director of Provident Housing Ltd., Bangalore. The couple reportedly separated within a year of their marriage. Kamath is an avid reader and a chess player.
Nikhil Kamath also hosts a podcast series “WTF is”, in which he interviews industry leaders and close friends in light-hearted but thought-provoking conversations. The program discusses various subjects including technology, social media, alternative energy, and more.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his podcast debut with Nikhil Kamath on 10 January 2025. The two-hour episode, titled “People with The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi x Nikhil Kamath,” is part of Kamath’s “WTF is” podcast series.
The conversation explored various topics, including PM Modi’s childhood, similarities between politics and entrepreneurship, essential skills for entering politics, governance, and global affairs.
People with The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi x Nikhil Kamath
Nikhil Kamath – Zerodha
Zerodha Website
Zerodha, a game-changing player in India’s trading and investment scene, commenced its operations on August 15, 2010, with a clear-cut mission: to remove the hurdles that traders and investors often faced, especially in terms of cost, support, and technology. The company’s name, “Zerodha,” cleverly combines “Zero” with “Rodha,” a Sanskrit word meaning barrier, to reflect their commitment to this vision.
Today, Zerodha proudly stands as one of India’s largest stockbrokers, thanks to its innovative pricing models and cutting-edge technology developed in-house.
They boast a massive client base of over 1 crore, managing millions of orders daily through their user-friendly investment platforms. Their influence is felt in the trading world, accounting for a significant 15% of all retail trading volumes in India.
Another creation of Kamath, True Beacon is a fee-free investment management company that targets investors with extremely high net worths.
Also, Rainmatter is their venture capital fund and incubator that invests in fintech companies and ventures that promote financial inclusion.
Nikhil Kamath – WTFund
Nikhil Kamath introduced the ‘Innovators Under 25‘ at the most recent WTFund Summit in Mumbai. An inaugural event was held in September 2024, to celebrate the establishment of WTFund, the first non-equity grant fund in India, to support innovation among entrepreneurs under the age of 25. It was a pivotal event for India’s startup ecosystem, showcasing the next generation of innovators ready to shape the country’s future.
The role of young entrepreneurs in creating India’s future was highlighted by Kamath. Anyone, from 25 to 80 years old, may be an entrepreneur and create the next great product. “But, come on, the enthusiasm, determination, and boldness usually come more naturally when you’re younger,” Kamath said.
To support nine startups now and nine thousand young businesses tomorrow, Kamath said, “We’re dedicated to building an India that isn’t afraid to take risks and step outside our comfort zones.” He went on to say that he hopes to aid thousands of startups in the future. Whoever decides to build their own aspirations instead of helping someone else realize theirs will lead India in the coming decade. The diversity of India’s innovation landscape is on full display among the fifteen grantees.
Kamath has recently revealed in his podcast about his investment of INR 400 crore in Radico Khaitan for a 1.6-1.7% stake. Additionally, Nikhil has made some significant personal investments:
Announced Date
Organization Name
Lead Investor
Funding Round
Money Raised
September 11, 2023
Pee Safe
–
Series B
₹250 million
June 26, 2023
Mainstreet
–
Seed Round
₹2 million
January 31, 2023
Nourish You
–
Seed Round
₹163.7 million
July 26, 2022
Nas Company
–
Venture Round
₹12 million
March 15, 2022
Licious
–
Series F
₹11.5 billion
February 8, 2022
Kofluence
Yes
Seed Round
₹4 million
January 27, 2022
Growth School
–
Seed Round
₹375 million
April 1, 2021
Third Wave Coffee
Yes
Seed Round
–
March 17, 2021
Vokal
–
Secondary Market
–
Nikhil Kamath – Partner Investments
In addition to his personal investments, Nikhil has also made investments as a partner:
Announced Date
Organization Name
Investor Name
Lead Investor
Funding Round
Money Raised
October 13, 2023
Emoha Elder Care
Gruhas Proptech
Yes
Series B
$11 million
April 5, 2023
Ossus Biorenewables
Gruhas Proptech
Yes
Seed Round
₹197 million
March 15, 2023
Spirit Media
Gruhas Proptech
Yes
Venture Round
–
February 25, 2022
Licious
Gruhas Proptech
Yes
Series F
₹91.4 million
February 17, 2022
Omnipresent Robot Technologies
Gruhas Proptech
Yes
Venture Round
–
Nikhil Kamath – Philanthropy
Nikhil is also known for his philanthropy:
Nikhil Kamath recently joined the list of wealthy people around the world who have signed the Giving Pledge & pledged to donate 50% of their money to philanthropic causes. Notably, Kamath is the youngest Indian philanthropist to join the Giving Pledge.
Kamath also launched the Young India Philanthropic Pledge (YIPP), which mandates the signatories who are below 45 years of age to donate 25% of their fortune with a minimum spend of ₹1 crore per year.
According to the EdelGive-Hurun India Philanthropy List 2022, Kamath donated ₹100 crore of his wealth in 2022, along with his brother and co-founder of Zerodha, Nithin Kamath.
Nikhil Kamath – Controversies
Nikhil Kamath competed in a charity chess match against Viswanathan Anand, a five-time world chess champion. He won the match, much to the amazement of everyone. However, the multibillionaire eventually apologized for beating the chess champion unfairly and acknowledged doing so.
He tweeted, “I had help from the people analyzing the game, computers, and the graciousness of Anand sir himself to treat the game as a learning experience. This was for fun and charity. In hindsight, it was quite silly as I didn’t realize all the confusion that can get caused due to this. Apologies.”
Nikhil Kamath – Awards & Recognitions
Here are some prominent awards and recognitions for Nikhil Kamath:
He was among the Forbes India ‘30 under 30’ young entrepreneurs, in 2016
He was listed as the richest self-made Indian under 40 by ‘IIFL Wealth Hurun India 40 & Under Self-Made Rich List 2022’
He made it into Forbes’ list of the world’s billionaires in 2023
The Hurun India Report 2024 ranks Nithin and Nikhil Kamath 8th among self-made entrepreneurs for Zerodha, valued at Rs 64,800 crore.
FAQs
Who is Nikhil Kamath?
Nikhil Kamath is the founder and CFO of Zerodha, which is an online trading service provider company.
Where is Nikhil Kamath birthplace?
Nikhil Kamath was born on September 5, 1986, in Shimoga, Karnataka.
Who are Nikhil Kamath parents?
Nithin was born in Shivamogga, Karnataka, India, to a Konkani family. His father, Late U.R. Kamath, was employed as one of the executives of Canara Bank. His mother, Revathi Kamath, taught him to play the musical instrument, the veena.
When was Nikhil Kamath born?
Nikhil Kamath was born on September 5, 1986. His age is 39 years.
Who are the founders of Zerodha?
Nikhil Kamath and Nithin Kamath co-founded Zerodha.
Where did Nikhil Kamath study?
Nikhil Kamath did not follow a traditional education path. He dropped out of school after completing the 10th grade to pursue his interests in chess, stock trading, and entrepreneurship.
What is Nikhil Kamath net worth?
The net worth of Nikhil Kamath is $3 billion (January 2025).
What is Nikhil Kamath education?
Since the school in Bangalore, didn’t let him appear for the 10th board exams citing his disinterest in studies as a reason, he decided to drop out of school.
How Nikhil Kamath became billionaire?
Nikhil Kamath became a billionaire by co-founding Zerodha, India’s largest discount brokerage, which revolutionized stock trading with its low-cost, user-friendly platform. His success was driven by his expertise in stock trading, strategic thinking, and focus on simplifying investments for retail investors.
Picture this: you’re sitting at your desk, a steaming cup of coffee in hand, ready to invest some mullahs in the stock market or as we popularly call it – the share bazaar. But as you scan the endless sea of numbers and charts, you can’t help but feel a bit overwhelmed. Sound familiar? We’ve all been there. The stock market can be a tricky beast to tame, but what if we told you there’s a secret weapon that could give you an edge? This is where AI stock analysis tool steal the thunder, for the greater good! How? Let’s find out.
When it comes to the best AI tools for stock analysis, TradingView stands out as a powerhouse. This platform has become a go-to resource for traders and investors worldwide, boasting an impressive user base of over 60 million. It’s not just popular; it’s the top website globally for all things investing, and for good reason.
Key Features
TradingView offers a comprehensive suite of tools that cater to both novice and experienced traders. At its core, the platform provides unparalleled charting capabilities. With over 400 built-in indicators, 100,000+ community-built indicators, and 110+ drawing tools, you’ve got a veritable playground for technical analysis at your fingertips. The platform supports 15+ chart types and 20+ timeframes, giving you the flexibility to analyse stocks, futures, and options in whatever way suits your trading style. Its AI-powered pattern recognition tool has been amazing to say the least. This clever bit of tech automatically scans charts for various technical patterns like head and shoulders, double tops/bottoms, and triangles. It’s a real time-saver, ensuring you don’t miss any potentially significant chart formations.
For those interested in intraday trading, TradingView’s real-time market data and customisable alerts are invaluable. You can set up to 400 alerts on the premium plan, ensuring you never miss a trading opportunity. The platform also offers a unique Bar Replay feature, allowing you to practise your trading strategies on historical data – a fantastic tool for honing your skills without risking real money.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Comprehensive stock screening tools
AI-powered pattern recognition
Extensive charting capabilities
Real-time market data
User-friendly interface
Available on web, desktop, and mobile platforms
Cons:
Free plan is limited
Higher-tier plans may be costly for some investors
Certain areas of the website can be poorly organised
Plan
Pricing
Essential
₹995/Month
Plus
₹1995/Month
Premium
₹3995/Month
Finviz
Website
www.finviz.com
Rating
4.1
Free Trial
No
Platforms Supported
Web, IOS/Android
Finviz – Best AI Tools For Stock Analysis
This New York-based platform offers a suite of features that cater to both individual investors and institutional clients. Finviz specialises in stock screening, in-depth equity research, and advanced financial visualisation tools, making it an invaluable resource for navigating market volatility.
Features
Finviz boasts an impressive array of tools designed to enhance stock analysis and trading strategies. Its stock screener is a standout feature, allowing users to sift through over 8,500 stocks and ETFs based on 67 financial and technical criteria. This powerful tool is complemented by 33 distinct chart patterns and 30 trading signals, providing a robust foundation for technical analysis. One of Finviz’s most notable features is its ability to recognise chart patterns automatically. This AI-powered functionality can identify 33 different patterns, saving traders valuable time and potentially uncovering opportunities they might have otherwise missed.
For those interested in intraday trading and real-time market data, Finviz Elite offers 1-minute interval updates. This feature is particularly useful for traders who need to make quick decisions based on the latest market movements. Finviz also excels in presenting market data through its innovative heatmaps. These visual tools offer a dynamic representation of US and global stock market performances, allowing users to quickly identify potential trading opportunities and sector trends.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Comprehensive stock screening tools with 67 unique metrics
AI-powered pattern recognition for 33 chart patterns
Real-time data and 1-minute interval updates (Elite version)
Efficient tracking of market insider transactions and news updates
Quick visualisation of sector and industry trends through heatmaps
Cons:
Elite backtesting features could offer more versatility
Limited set of 21 chart indicators
Absence of dedicated mobile applications for Android and iOS devices
Seeking Alpha has its name right up there among the best AI tools for stock analysis, offering a comprehensive platform for investors to navigate market volatility and make informed decisions. This world-leading investing community connects investors daily to discover and share new ideas, discuss the latest news, and debate the merits of stocks.
Features
Seeking Alpha boasts an impressive array of features designed to enhance stock analysis and trading strategies. The platform covers a wide range of assets, from stocks and ETFs to commodities and cryptocurrencies. One of its standout features is access to professional-calibre investing tools, including factor grades and quant ratings that summarise each stock’s characteristics. The platform’s quant algorithm picks stocks with the strongest collective metrics compared to their sector, providing valuable insights for investors looking to identify potential opportunities. Seeking Alpha’s ‘Strong Buy’ stock picks have been outperforming the market by more than 4-to-1, making it a valuable resource for those interested in stock price prediction.
For those focused on intraday trading or futures and options analysis, Seeking Alpha offers real-time market data and customisable alerts. The platform’s earnings calendar showcases upcoming reports for companies in an investor’s portfolio, enabling users to stay informed about the latest financial results that may impact their positions.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Comprehensive coverage of various asset classes
Access to professional-grade investing tools
Strong community of contributors providing diverse insights
Customisable alerts and news feeds
Integration with brokerage accounts for automatic portfolio tracking
Cons:
Overwhelming amount of information for some users
Potential for conflicting advice from different contributors
Limited coverage of certain asset classes, such as pink sheet stocks
User-generated content may require additional verification
Plan
Pricing
Basic
$0/Month
Premium
$4.95/Month
Pro
$99/Month
Stock Rover
Website
www.stockrover.com
Rating
4.6
Free Trial
Yes
Platforms Supported
Web, IOS/Android
Stock Rover – Best AI Tools For Stock Analysis
This web-based platform provides an impressive array of tools to enhance stock analysis and trading strategies, making it an invaluable resource for passing through market volatility.
Key Features
Stock Rover boasts an extensive set of capabilities designed to streamline the stock analysis process. Its stock screener is particularly noteworthy, allowing users to sift through over 8,500 stocks and ETFs based on more than 500 financial, operational, and efficiency metrics. This powerful tool is complemented by over 140 pre-built screeners, catering to various investment strategies. The platform’s charting capabilities are equally impressive, offering the ability to plot stocks, ETFs, funds, and indices. Users can access a wide range of fundamental and technical charts, including candlestick and dividend-adjusted return options. This makes Stock Rover an excellent choice for those interested in stock charting and technical analysis.
For investors focused on intraday trading or futures and options analysis, Stock Rover provides real-time market data and customisable alerts. The platform’s earnings calendar is another valuable feature, helping users stay informed about upcoming financial results that may impact their positions.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Comprehensive stock screening tools with over 500 metrics
Powerful charting capabilities for technical analysis
Real-time market data and customisable alerts
Extensive library of pre-built screeners
Portfolio management features, including trade planning and rebalancing
Cons:
Limited customer support for free plan users
Higher-tier plans may be costly for some investors
Koyfin stands out as one of the best AI tools for stock analysis, offering a comprehensive global market analytics platform for investors to navigate market volatility and make informed decisions. This powerful tool caters to both individual and professional investors, providing a wide range of features to enhance stock analysis and trading strategies.
Main Features
Koyfin boasts an impressive array of tools designed to streamline the stock analysis process. The platform covers a vast range of assets, including global stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, fixed income, indices, currencies, and commodities. Its stock screener allows users to scan through over 90,000 stocks, ETFs, and mutual funds using more than 5,900 philtre criteria, making it an invaluable resource for identifying potential trading opportunities. The customisable dashboards at Koyfin are beautiful, allowing users to tailor their workspace to fit their unique investment management style and preferences. These dashboards can be shared with followers, fostering a collaborative environment among investors.
For those interested in intraday trading or futures and options analysis, Koyfin provides real-time market data and customisable alerts. The platform’s economic calendar and news feed keep users informed about market-moving events and company-specific news.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Comprehensive coverage of global markets and asset classes
Powerful stock screening tools with extensive philtre criteria
Customisable dashboards and watchlists
Real-time market data and alerts
User-friendly interface with fast, no-nonsense financial charting
Cons:
Higher-tier plans may be costly for some individual investors
Limited social features compared to some other platforms
Some advanced features only available in higher-tier plans
Plan
Pricing
Free
$0/Month
Plus
$39/Month
Pro
$79/Month
Advisor Pro
$179/Month
Conclusion
Well, each tool we’ve explored has its unique strengths to help sail through the choppy waters of the stock market. These platforms are not your average number crunchers – they’re like having a team of expert analysts at your fingertips, ready to help you make sense of the market’s ups and downs. While these AI tools are incredibly powerful, it is important to understand that they’re just that – tools. They’re here to support your decision-making, not replace it. Your own research, intuition, and risk management strategies still play a crucial role in your investment journey. And hey, if you’re looking for more insights, memes, news, and case studies to complement your newfound AI knowledge, why not give StartupTalky a follow on Instagram? We’re always sharing fresh content to keep you in the loop. Happy investing, and may your portfolio always be in the green!
FAQ
Which are the best AI tools for stock analysis?
Here are some of the best AI tools for stock analysis:
TradingView
Finviz
Seeking Alpha
Stock Rover
Koyfin
Is AI trading/Algorithmic trading legal in India?
Yes, AI trading/Algorithmic trading is legal in India, provided it complies with SEBI regulations on algorithmic trading and risk management.
Can I use AI to analyze stocks?
Yes, you can use AI to analyze stocks. AI tools can identify patterns, perform technical analysis, and predict stock performance based on historical data and market trends.
