Key Points
- Nithin Kamath compares India’s diversity to Europe’s uniformity.
- He calls India more like a continent than a country due to vast differences between states.
- Kamath warns entrepreneurs against oversimplifying India’s market potential.
- Kamath proposes linking property prices to environmental quality as a solution to urban pollution.
- Zerodha’s success reflects Kamath’s experience navigating India’s complex market.
Looma News
Zerodha CEO Nithin Kamath recently compared India’s diversity to Europe’s uniformity, calling India “more like a continent than a country.” Kamath, who recently visited several European countries, said that in Europe, everything feels pretty similar, with only small differences. In contrast, India has huge differences between its 28 states, especially in terms of language, culture, and food. He was amazed at how such a diverse country has managed to come together as one. Kamath shared these thoughts on X, reflecting on the challenges and opportunities of India’s complexity.
Kamath also revisited a point he made earlier in 2023, warning entrepreneurs not to oversimplify India’s market potential. He pointed out that assuming a percentage of India’s 1.4 billion people could become customers like those in developed countries is a risky assumption. While targeting wealthier, English-speaking Indians might be easier, Kamath stressed that expanding beyond that group is much harder. He explained that India is made up of many different “countries” in one, meaning what works in one state might not work in another.
Kamath’s thoughts on India’s diversity go beyond business. In a recent post, he suggested a creative way to tackle urban pollution by linking property prices to environmental quality. He proposed that if property values reflected the air and water quality in a neighborhood, property owners would be more motivated to care for their surroundings. Kamath believes this economic incentive could improve environmental outcomes, as people would take more responsibility for maintaining the health of their communities.
Kamath’s insights come from his experience running Zerodha, the stockbroking firm he founded in 2010. Zerodha has broken new ground in terms of cost and technology, but Kamath knows the complexities of India’s market well. His thoughts on both business and the environment show a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities India faces.
