Sun, 29 December 2024 11:33:18pm
In the ever-evolving world of startups, the founders of Zerodha, Nithin and Nikhil Kamath, are sounding the alarm on the potential dangers of overregulation. What could this mean for the future of innovation in India's startup ecosystem?
Nithin and Nikhil Kamath, the visionary co-founders of Zerodha, are calling for a closer collaboration between startups, regulators, and the government to foster innovation. During an appearance on CNBC-TV18’s Young Turks Reloaded podcast, they expressed concerns about the uncertainty within the startup ecosystem and the impact of excessive regulations.
Nikhil Kamath highlighted the need for a cooperative relationship with regulators, noting that startups often lack influence over regulatory decisions that could drastically affect their operations. "We face regulators who can cut our revenues by 50% in one day or even shut us down," he said, emphasizing the precarious nature of the current environment.
While acknowledging that regulatory frameworks have strengthened the system, Nikhil warned that too many rules could stifle creativity. He likened it to a classroom where strict rules hinder children's ability to innovate due to fear. Nithin Kamath echoed these concerns, pointing out that new regulations from the Securities & Exchange Board of India (SEBI) could slow down Zerodha’s revenue growth, specifically citing the "true-to-label" circular.
Despite these challenges, the Kamath brothers remain optimistic about India's startup scene. They believe that creating a supportive environment can unlock significant growth and drive entrepreneurship. Nikhil underscored the prevalent atmosphere of fear within the ecosystem and suggested that fostering an alliance between regulators, government, and entrepreneurs could encourage more people to pursue entrepreneurship. "If we can reduce fear, more individuals will venture into entrepreneurship," he explained.
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