“Storytelling is a core life skill”: Nikhil Kamath tells under-25 Founders what really drives Startup success

Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath recently sat down with a group of founders under the age of 25 for a candid, podcast-style conversation that cut through startup clichés and focused on the skills that quietly decide long-term success.

Nikhil Kamath advises under-25 Founders

While ambition, speed and risk-taking dominated much of the discussion, the billionaire entrepreneur repeatedly returned to one theme he believes is deeply underrated - communication.

At the heart of his advice was storytelling. According to Kamath, founders must be able to explain what they are building and why it matters in a single, clear sentence before expanding it into a compelling narrative.

“Storytelling is a core life skill,” Kamath told the group, stressing that ideas rarely sell themselves.

Instead, it is the clarity, structure and conviction behind them that persuade investors, partners and even customers.

Kamath’s emphasis on storytelling was personal. He admitted the skill did not come naturally to him and said he made a deliberate effort to improve.

In one revealing anecdote, he recalled hiring a professional speech coach, an Israeli communication expert who has trained several US politicians.

The week-long programme was intense and uncomfortable. Kamath was cut off from digital distractions and asked to write extensively by hand, an exercise he described as difficult but transformative in shaping how he thinks and communicates.

The conversation then shifted to negotiation, another area Kamath believes young founders often misunderstand. He urged them to see negotiations as a strategic skill rather than a last-minute tactic.

“Disagreements usually come from how someone perceives you, not necessarily from the idea you’re presenting,” Kamath explained.

Understanding who is likely to support or resist a proposal and why can significantly change outcomes.

He also warned founders against reacting emotionally when their ideas are criticised.

In high-stakes discussions, Kamath said, balance and clarity matter far more than defensiveness.

Projecting thoughtfulness, even under pressure, builds credibility and trust.

While youth entrepreneurship is often associated with bold bets and rapid execution, Kamath concluded that softer skills often determine how far those ambitions can realistically go.

Storytelling, negotiation and self-awareness, he argued, are not optional extras, but are the invisible levers that turn ideas into enduring businesses.

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