Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath has identified content creation as a possible starting point if he ever had to rebuild his career from scratch. Speaking at the World Summit 2026 in New Delhi, the entrepreneur discussed how he might approach a hypothetical situation in which his brokerage business disappeared overnight, leaving him with ₹10 lakh and no existing professional contacts.
Rather than immediately investing the money in a conventional business, Kamath said he would consider creating content. His reasoning was straightforward: producing content can begin with minimal financial investment, while an established audience can eventually provide opportunities to develop other businesses.
The discussion offered a glimpse into how the entrepreneur views business creation, audience building and the changing relationship between technology and commerce.
Why Content Creation Would Be His First Choice
During the conversation, Kamath was asked what he would do the day after Zerodha disappeared, assuming he had ₹10 lakh available but could not rely on his existing network.
He acknowledged that such a situation would make life difficult but pointed towards content creation as a practical way to begin again.
According to Kamath, content production has a relatively low entry barrier because people can start without committing substantial capital. If their work reaches a sizeable audience, they can use that reach to develop commercial opportunities.
These could include consumer-focused businesses or ventures in other sectors. In this approach, building an audience becomes the initial step, with a business potentially following once a creator understands what people want.
The idea reflects a model in which distribution and customer attention can become valuable assets alongside money, products and established business relationships.
How an Audience Can Help Build a Business
For entrepreneurs starting with limited resources, finding customers is often one of the most difficult parts of launching a business. A product may be useful, but reaching the right people and earning their trust can require considerable time and expenditure.
Content offers another possible route. Videos, podcasts and other forms of digital material can help creators establish an identity, communicate ideas and develop a direct relationship with an audience.
That relationship can later support products or services that meet the audience's interests. However, building a following does not automatically guarantee commercial success. Consistent work, relevant content and a sustainable business model remain important considerations.
Kamath's hypothetical plan places audience development at the beginning of the process rather than treating marketing as something to address only after launching a product.
Nikhil Kamath's Interest in a Different Kind of Media Business
The discussion also touched on Kamath's interest in the media industry. He indicated that his ambitions were not centred on running a conventional news organisation.
Instead, he spoke about developing a different form of social media and mentioned that experiments involving various applications were already part of that interest.
He pointed to China's digital ecosystem, where domestic companies have built their own platforms across multiple categories, including social networking and quick commerce. This provided context for his interest in exploring alternative approaches to online platforms.
His comments suggest that he sees opportunities in rethinking how people interact with digital services, although he did not present a specific launch date or detailed business plan during the discussion.
What His Answer Says About Starting Over
Kamath's response highlights an approach to entrepreneurship that begins with resources available to almost anyone: ideas, time and the ability to communicate with potential customers.
Content creation is not a guaranteed path to building a profitable company, and competition for online attention remains considerable. Nevertheless, it can offer a relatively inexpensive way to test ideas before committing substantial money.
For someone forced to rebuild a business from the beginning, developing an audience could provide an alternative starting point. Kamath's answer illustrates how digital reach may serve not only as a media asset but also as a foundation for future commercial ventures.
