Startup Originals Team
A startup founder has shared how a simple cold email to Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath received a quick response and eventually helped his company grow into a profitable venture earning ₹1.8 crore annually. The story, which has gained traction online, highlights the role of timely mentorship, access, and persistence in India’s startup ecosystem.
A Cold Email That Got a Reply
The founder revealed that in the early days of building his startup, he decided to reach out directly to Nikhil Kamath, co-founder of Zerodha, through a cold email. At the time, the business was struggling to find direction, visibility, and early validation.
According to the founder, Kamath replied to the email much faster than expected. While the exchange was brief, it provided clarity, encouragement, and strategic perspective that helped the entrepreneur reassess his approach. The response stood out because cold outreach to prominent business leaders often goes unanswered.
Guidance That Helped Shape the Business
The founder said Kamath’s reply did not involve direct funding or formal mentorship, but it offered practical advice on focus, execution, and long-term thinking. The guidance reportedly helped the startup refine its business model, prioritise sustainable revenue, and avoid distractions common in early-stage ventures.
Following the interaction, the entrepreneur doubled down on core offerings rather than chasing rapid expansion. This shift, he said, proved critical in building a stable customer base and achieving consistent cash flows over time.
From Early Struggles to ₹1.8 Crore in Annual Revenue
Several years after the initial email exchange, the startup has crossed ₹1.8 crore in annual revenue, according to the founder. The company operates with a lean team and focuses on profitability rather than aggressive fundraising, a philosophy the founder attributes partly to the early advice he received.
While the founder did not disclose the startup’s name or sector in detail, he noted that disciplined execution, customer retention, and steady scaling played a major role in reaching this milestone. He emphasised that the journey was gradual, involving multiple iterations and periods of uncertainty.
Reaction From the Startup Community
The story has resonated widely among founders and early-stage entrepreneurs, many of whom shared similar experiences of cold outreach leading to unexpected opportunities. Several users highlighted how accessible leadership figures like Kamath can have an outsized impact simply by responding and offering perspective.
Industry observers say such stories underline the importance of openness within India’s startup ecosystem, where guidance from experienced founders can help younger companies avoid costly mistakes.
Broader Message for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
The founder said his experience reinforced two key lessons: the value of reaching out without fear of rejection, and the importance of acting decisively on advice received. While acknowledging that not every cold email will receive a response, he encouraged entrepreneurs to be clear, respectful, and specific when approaching industry leaders.
The episode also reflects the growing culture of informal mentorship in India’s startup space, where knowledge-sharing often happens outside formal accelerator or investment structures.
Though Kamath has not publicly commented on the interaction, the founder credits that early response as a turning point that helped set his company on a sustainable growth path, one that eventually led to ₹1.8 crore in yearly revenue.
