Zerodha Corporate Advisors received approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on September 1 to operate as a Category-I merchant banker, according to inc42.com. This allows Zerodha to advise companies on initial public offerings (IPOs), follow-on issues, and other capital market transactions. The company plans to begin its merchant banking operations within the next few months, focusing initially on equity capital markets.
Zerodha cofounder Nithin Kamath explained in a recent Substack post that the move reflects the contradictions inherent in running a brokerage firm, especially as the business expanded rapidly after 2020. The new subsidiary will help Zerodha diversify its revenue streams amid pressure on its core broking business caused by declining retail derivatives activity and regulatory changes. Zerodha Corporate Advisors will compete with established merchant bankers such as Axis Capital, IIFL Capital, Kotak Investment Banking, and Nomura.
Entering merchant banking marks a significant shift for Zerodha, which has built its reputation primarily as a discount brokerage with millions of retail investors on its platform. The firm now aims to build relationships with company founders, CFOs, and institutional investors to establish itself in the capital markets advisory space. This expansion aligns with broader trends where brokerage firms seek new fee-based income sources as traditional trading volumes fluctuate.
Zerodha’s merchant banking arm is expected to focus on equity capital markets, including IPOs and follow-on issues, as it begins operations over the coming months, per inc42.com. The SEBI approval on September 1 enables the company to officially enter this segment.