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Starting With Just Rs 10,000, Here’s How This Investor Built A Rs 60 Crore Portfolio
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His portfolio was built from scratch over 15 years, with 90% in mid- and small-cap funds averaging 17–18% returns
Calling himself a “sleepy investor,” he says he prefers steady, disciplined investing over high-risk ventures. (News18 Hindi)
The world of mutual funds has witnessed remarkable success through disciplined investing, and Gajendra Kothari’s journey exemplifies how Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) can build substantial wealth over time.
Initially, Kothari squandered Rs 50 lakh in Futures and Options (F&O) trading, but once he understood the importance of SIPs, he began investing Rs 10,000 monthly. Astonishingly, his monthly SIP now surpasses Rs 40 lakh, making his story a beacon for mutual fund investors.
Kothari, who aims to have a Rs 3,000 crore portfolio by age 65, is the founder of Etica Wealth Capital.
His entry into mutual funds began in 2004 at age 24, when he joined UTI Mutual Fund after reaching Mumbai through campus placement. At that time, the mutual fund industry was valued at Rs 2-3 lakh crore, far smaller than today’s Rs 75 lakh crore.
Kothari initially had little knowledge of mutual funds, and the industry itself offered minimal awareness. Those around him doubted the potential of wealth creation through mutual funds. In his early years, he made several mistakes—investing in ELSS funds solely for tax savings without understanding the power of compounding. With a salary of just Rs 30,000, saving in Mumbai’s costly lifestyle was challenging, and even more so after marriage.
Lost Rs 50 Lakh In F&O Trading
He later got an opportunity to work in London, where his income grew significantly. However, he soon made the biggest mistake of his life, investing two years’ savings in F&O (Futures and Options) trading. When global markets crashed in 2008, he got caught in day-trading and leveraged positions, losing Rs 50 lakh, a huge sum at the time. The loss left him shocked and wary of the markets, but it taught him a vital lesson: disciplined investing, not speculation, is key.
Gajendra Kothari said in an interview, “This was the most valuable lesson of my life, though it cost me Rs 50 lakh.” This experience inspired him to start his own firm. While at UTI, he advised high-net-worth individuals (HNIs) and realized he could simplify investing for everyday investors. In 2009, despite the industry facing challenges after SEBI’s entry load ban, Gajendra launched Etica Wealth.
Small Investment, Big Dreams
His first SIP, started in August 2010, was Rs 10,000 monthly split between small cap funds and ELSS funds. His simple philosophy was, “If I’m advising clients to invest through SIPs, I should start with one myself.” When his daughter was born in December, he continued the SIP without interruption. He neither added nor withdrew funds and never missed an installment. Over 15 years, his total investment of Rs 18 lakh grew to Rs 86 lakh, with the small-cap fund delivering a CAGR of 21% and the ELSS fund a CAGR of 18%.
Kothari said, “This is the first SIP of my life, and I will never touch it. It will be my longest-term investment and teach me the most.” This SIP showcases the power of compounding: his first installment of Rs 5,000 has grown to Rs 55,000–60,000, nearly 11–12 times. He adds, “Imagine, in 30 years, each installment could reach Rs 7 lakh, over 140 times the original amount!”
During COVID-19 in 2020, his SIP returns were just 7% after 10 years, but he remained patient. Compared to a PPF yielding 7.1% guaranteed, his investment was delivering 18%, all tax-free, as he never sold any units.
SIP Growth: From Rs 10,000 To Rs 41 Lakh
Kothari gradually increased his SIP contributions, starting with Rs 10,000, then Rs 50,000, Rs 1 lakh, and by 2020, he was investing Rs 6–7 lakh per month. Today, his monthly SIP stands at Rs 41.2 lakh, amounting to nearly Rs 5 crore annually. Gajendra earned all this money through his job and business, what is known as active income, and consistently invested it into SIPs.
Kothari advises, “Focus on active income during the first 15 years, as that forms the foundation for investments. As you grow older, passive income from SIPs will surpass it.”
About 90% of his wealth came from SIPs, achieved automatically. Whether the market was at 85,000 or 80,000, his SIPs continued uninterrupted. “If it had been done manually, you might have missed payments or stopped investing,” he adds.
Current Size Of Gajendra Kothari’s Portfolio
Kothari’s portfolio today is valued at Rs 60 crore, built from scratch over 15 years. He reveals that 90% of his investments are in mid- and small-cap funds, yielding average returns of 17–18%. He avoids FDs, PPF, crypto, and direct stocks, despite holding a CFA and an MBA in Finance. Calling himself a “sleepy investor,” he says he prefers steady, disciplined investing over high-risk ventures.
Gajendra Kothari’s Investment Strategy
Kothari’s investment strategy takes a contrarian approach. He invests in underperforming sectors—for instance, putting Rs 20 lakh into China Tech when it dropped 50%, and another Rs 40 lakh when it fell 45%. Today, his portfolio enjoys a CAGR of around 23%.
His journey wasn’t easy. The 2008 crash wiped out much of his wealth, but he learned that markets are cyclical, and volatility creates opportunities. Even during COVID, when returns fell to 7%, he remained patient.
Kothari says, “The market gives you the returns you deserve. Staying disciplined is crucial. Investing is a mathematical game. The process must never be interrupted.”
Investment Tips For Everyday Investors
- Start Small: Begin with an initial investment of Rs 10,000, gradually increasing over time.
- Automation: SIPs work best when automated, reducing the need for constant decision-making.
- Patience: Investments should continue even during market downturns, with additional funds allocated when markets show recovery.
- Active Income: Growth in income provides the source for further investments.
- Tax Efficiency: Holding investments long-term helps save on taxes.
- Portfolio Management: Maintaining a portfolio of 5–6 well-chosen funds ensures better control and diversification.
Disclaimer:Disclaimer: The views and investment tips by experts in this News18.com report are their own and not those of the website or its management. Users are advised to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.
September 11, 2025, 17:58 IST
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Peter Hoskins,Business reporterand
Lily Jamali,North America technology correspondent
TikTok’s Chinese owner ByteDance has signed binding agreements with US and global investors for the majority of its business in America, TikTok’s boss told employees on Thursday.
Half of the joint venture will be owned by a group of investors, including Oracle, Silver Lake and the Emirati investment firm MGX, according to a memo sent by chief executive Shou Zi Chew.
The deal, which is set to close on 22 January, would end years of efforts by Washington to force ByteDance to sell its US operations over national security concerns.
It is in line with a deal unveiled in September, when US President Donald Trump delayed the enforcement of a law that would ban the app unless it was sold.
In the memo, TikTok said the deal will enable “over 170 million Americans to continue discovering a world of endless possibilities as part of a vital global community”.
Under the agreement, ByteDance will retain 19.9% of the business, while Oracle, Silver Lake and Abu Dhabi-based MGX will hold 15% each.
Another 30.1% will be held by affiliates of existing ByteDance investors, according to the memo.
The White House previously said that Oracle, which was co-founded by Trump supporter Larry Ellison, will license TikTok’s recommendation algorithm as part of the deal.
The deal comes after a series of delays.
In April 2024, during President Joe Biden’s administration, the US Congress passed a law to ban the app over national security concerns, unless it was sold.
The law was set to go into effect on 20 January 2025 but was pushed back multiple times by Trump, while his administration worked out a deal to transfer ownership.
Trump said in September that he had spoken on the phone to China’s President Xi Jinping, who he said had given the deal the go ahead.
The platform’s future remained unclear after the leaders met face to face in October.
The app’s fate was clouded by ongoing tensions between the two nations on trade and other matters.
“TikTok has become a bargaining chip in the wider US-China relationship,” said Alvin Graylin, a lecturer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
“With recent softening tensions, Beijing’s sign off on the structure and algorithm licensing now looks less like capitulation and more like calibrated de-escalation, letting both capitals claim a win at home.”
NurPhoto via Getty ImagesThe White House referred the BBC to TikTok when contacted for comment.
Oracle and Silver Lake declined to comment. The BBC has contacted MGX for comment.
The deal drew critiques from Senate Democrat Ron Wyden of Oregon, who said it wouldn’t do “a thing to protect the privacy of American user”.
Under the terms, TikTok’s recommendation algorithm is set to be retrained on American user data to ensure feeds are free from outside manipulation.
“It’s unclear that it will even put TikTok’s algorithm in safer hands,” said Sen Wyden.
He opposed the 2024 law, and was among the US lawmakers who lobbied to extend the TikTok deadline in January in a bid to give Congress more time to mitigate threats from China.
Some users also expressed caution at the prospect of new investors.
Small business owner Tiffany Cianci, who has more than 300,000 followers and nearly four million likes on the platform, said she hopes the incoming investors will maintain the same user experience for entrepreneurs like her.
“I hope small business owners are protected,” Ms Cianci said.
TikTok has said that more than seven million small businesses market their products and services on TikTok in the US.
“I reserve judgement on whether or not we have saved the app for those small business,” she added.
Ms Cianci said she chose TikTok for promotion because the platform offers profit-sharing on terms that are more favourable than what competitors like Meta offer.
Over the last year, Ms Cianci has been active in organising protests in Washington and on TikTok aimed at saving the app.
Japan’s inflation rate held steady in November, official data showed Friday ahead of the Bank of Japan’s monetary policy decision which could see central bankers raise interest rates to their highest level in 30 years.The hike would be the first since January and could potentially exacerbate turmoil in debt markets.Yields on Japanese government bonds have risen in recent weeks on worries about Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s budget discipline, while the yen has weakened.The core consumer price index — which excludes volatile fresh food — rose three percent in November, the same rate as a month earlier, in line with market expectations.Takaichi, who formally took power in October, has promised to fight inflation as a major priority.Her government succeeded in getting parliament approval for an extra budget worth 18.3 trillion yen ($118 billion) this week to finance her massive stimulus package.She has long advocated for more government spending and easy monetary policy to spur growth.Since taking office, however, she has said monetary policy decisions should be left to the Bank of Japan (BoJ).The BoJ began hiking rates from below zero in March last year as figures signalled an end to the country’s “lost decades” of stagnation, with inflation surging.However, with worries about the global outlook and US tariffs growing, the bank paused its tightening measures at the start of 2025, with the last increase in January taking rates to their highest level in 17 years.The inflation figures for November showed rice prices up 37 percent year-on-year, the internal affairs ministry said. Rice prices have skyrocketed because of supply problems linked to a very hot summer in 2023 and panic-buying after a “megaquake” warning last year, amongst other factors.Japan’s economy contracted 0.6 percent in the third quarter, but BoJ governor Kazuo Ueda said last week that the impact of US tariffs was less than feared.“So far, US corporates have swallowed the burden of tariffs without fully passing (them) through to consumer prices,” Ueda told the Financial Times.At the same time, inflation has been above the BoJ’s target of two percent for some time.The majority of economists polled by Bloomberg expect the BoJ to raise its main rate from 0.5 percent to 0.75 percent, which would be the highest since 1995.
Consumer confidence edged up ahead of Christmas but remains subdued in the face of cost-of-living pressures, according to new figures.
GfK’s long-running Consumer Confidence Index improved by two points to minus 17 for December.
The research showed that all five of the survey’s measures increased for the month, bouncing back from a weak November which had been impacted by pre-Budget caution.
Neil Bellamy, consumer insights director at GfK, said: “It’s tempting to see festive cheer in December’s two-point improvement in consumer confidence.
“This is a surprise finding for the UK high street because it contrasts with the Black Friday sales slump we reported on earlier this month.”
Industry data pointed to weakness on the high street earlier in the run-up to Christmas, the data from the CBI showing the sharpest fall in sentiment among retailers for 17 years.
The GfK figures showed a four-point improvement in its major purchase index – an indicator of confidence in buying big ticket items – to minus 11.
Measures related to shoppers’ views about the wider economic outlook also improved slightly for the month.
Mr Bellamy said: “UK households still face cost-of-living pressures, despite the recent softening in inflation, along with rising economic uncertainty, and those conditions result in weaker consumer confidence.
“Sadly, consumers resemble a family on a festive winter hike, crossing a boggy field – plodding along stoically, getting stuck in the mud and hoping that easier conditions are not far off.”
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