Zerodha co-founder and billionaire investor Nikhil Kamath has publicly disclosed a $21 million investment in London-based consumer tech brand Nothing, founded by Carl Pei. The announcement, made on October 9, 2025, via a post on X, marks Kamath’s entry into the global smartphone arena and signals growing Indian interest in AI-native hardware platforms. The investment is part of Nothing’s $200 million Series C round, which values the company at $1.3 billion.
“Thrilled to back a brand shaping the future of consumer tech,” Kamath wrote, adding that his decision was guided by Nothing’s design-first philosophy, affordability, innovation capability, and growth margins.
Nothing’s Series C Round: Key Investors and Strategic Goals
| Investor | Amount Invested | Strategic Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Tiger Global | $50 million | Global expansion, AI integration |
| Nikhil Kamath | $21 million | India growth, design-led innovation |
| GV (Google Ventures) | $18 million | Software-hardware convergence |
| EQT, Latitude, Qualcomm | $111 million | Manufacturing, ecosystem development |
Why Kamath Backed Nothing: Vision, Design, and India 2.0
Kamath emphasized that Nothing’s approach goes beyond hardware. He cited Carl Pei’s conviction around design, community, and ecosystem integration as key differentiators in a $500 billion global smartphone market dominated by legacy players. Kamath believes the next frontier of competition will be “taste” and distinct visual identity.
“People buy with their eyes and scroll today,” Kamath wrote, referencing data that shows users now upgrade phones every 3.5 years on average, compared to two years in 2015.
India’s Smartphone Market: Growth and Opportunity
| Metric | Value (Q2 2025) | YoY Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Market Value | $28.4 billion | +18% |
| Mid-Premium Segment Share | 36% | +22% |
| Premium Segment Share | 14% | +31% |
| Nothing’s India Growth | +577% YoY | Fastest-growing brand |
Nothing has held the title of India’s fastest-scaling smartphone brand for six consecutive quarters, outpacing both domestic and global rivals. Its Phone (2) and Phone (3) series, along with the CMF sub-brand, have gained traction among younger consumers seeking design-centric tech.
Carl Pei’s Response and India Strategy
Reacting to Kamath’s investment, Carl Pei said, “Nikhil represents a new generation of Indian entrepreneurs. His collaboration is a strong signal of confidence in what we’re building with Nothing and CMF.”
Pei also highlighted the company’s $100 million joint venture with Optiemus Infracom to expand manufacturing in India. “With our Optiemus JV and ambition to make CMF India’s first truly global smartphone brand, we’ve got big plans ahead,” he said.
Nothing’s Product Ecosystem and AI Push
| Product Line | Launch Year | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Phone (2) | 2023 | Glyph interface, Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 |
| Phone (3) | 2025 | Essential Space app, AI-native OS |
| CMF Sub-brand | 2023 | Affordable design-first accessories |
| AI Platform | 2025 | Hardware-software convergence |
Nothing plans to use the Series C funds to build an AI-native platform where hardware and software merge into a single intelligent system. Kamath’s investment aligns with this vision, positioning India as a strategic hub for next-gen consumer tech.
Disclaimer: This news content is based on verified investor statements, company filings, and market data as of October 10, 2025. It is intended for editorial use and public awareness. The information does not constitute investment advice or brand endorsement and adheres to ethical journalism standards.
