Zerodha Co-founder Nikhil Kamath Launches WTFund to Support Young Entrepreneurs in India

• ByStartupStory     |    April 16, 2024

Nikhil Kamath, the co-founder of Zerodha, unveiled a new initiative, WTFund, on Monday. Aimed at empowering entrepreneurs under the age of 25, the fund offers a non-dilutive grant of up to Rs 20 lakh. This unique initiative seeks to revolutionize various industries by backing young visionaries who demonstrate the potential to innovate and disrupt.

The WTFund is sector-agnostic and is designed to support 40 promising young entrepreneurs with funding and mentorship over the course of one year. The program includes a comprehensive array of resources such as operator-first mentorship pods, a vibrant community through the WTF ecosystem, a Go-To-Market (GTM) studio, beta testing and feedback opportunities, talent acquisition channels through an internship program, a fractional CXO database, and moonlighting opportunities. This extensive support continues until the entrepreneurs secure their first institutional funding.

Nikhil Kamath expressed his enthusiasm about the new venture, stating, “We are excited to launch the fund and see where it goes.” He reflected on the changing landscape of entrepreneurship in India, comparing it to his own childhood, noting, “The India of my childhood differs markedly from the country we see today. Back then, the emphasis was on securing stable employment rather than pursuing entrepreneurship and embracing risk. Today, young founders tend to create the most impact within entrepreneurship.”

The initiative is not just a fund but a platform for growth and innovation, stemming from Kamath’s podcast series WTF, where he engages with experts across various sectors. The fund initially emerged from a post by Kamath on X in October of the previous year, targeting young entrepreneurs under 22 years in sectors like home, fashion, beauty, or lifestyle.

Beyond Zerodha, Kamath is an active angel investor, with investments in about 15 startups including Licious, Zapkey, and The 1% Club, as tracked by Tracxn. He also led a $10 million funding round for the specialty coffee roaster Subko earlier this year.

Entrepreneurs who wish to apply for the WTFund can do so through its official website, tapping into a promising network of resources and mentorship tailored to propel young innovators toward significant business milestones.

Follow Startup Story