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Zerodha has discontinued its Zero1 creator network initiative, marking the end of a programme through which the brokerage had partnered with digital creators to build and own content formats focused on finance, health and investing, Moneycontrol has reported.
At least three creators associated with the network confirmed the development to Moneycontrol. “We were told a few months ago that the program would wind down by the end of March,” one of them said.
Zero1 was launched as a modern media-led platform aimed at simplifying complex subjects through data-backed storytelling. It had positioned itself at the intersection of finance, investing, wellness and personal growth, while using creator-led distribution across platforms such as YouTube and Instagram.
Why Was Zero1 Closed?
Creators associated with the programme said the reasons were not formally communicated. However, some believe commercial viability may have played a role.
One creator told Moneycontrol the move may have been linked to limited direct ROI and the initiative being structured around a one-year contract cycle. Another suggested increasing scrutiny by Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on finfluencers and surrogate promotions could also be a factor.
A Strong Push Into India’s Creator Economy
Through Zero1, Zerodha had built a sizable influencer ecosystem by collaborating with creators such as Varun Mayya, Achina Sirohi Mayya, Loveena Kamath, Angad Kahai Singh, Caleb Friesen, Pankaj Chauhan, Tirthik Saha, Pranay Kapoor, Vishal Bhargava, Sonia Shenoy, Revant Himatsingka and Nupur Dave, among others.
Apart from monthly payments, Zerodha supported creators with research inputs, studio access, editing and production assistance to scale output across social platforms.
Multiple creators told Moneycontrol that Zerodha did not interfere with editorial direction. “It was restricted to Zero1 by Zerodha branding that one would notice on videos; otherwise, creators had a free hand,” a source said.
Creators continue to own their channels and are now uploading content without Zero1 branding.
What Happens Next?
The initiative reportedly included non-compete clauses that restricted creators from partnering with rival brokerages during the arrangement.
Zero1 was launched more than two years ago and operated as a media company with events and community meetups centred around financial literacy. Its digital reach had expanded sharply during that period.
The Zero1 YouTube channel has nearly eight lakh subscribers, more than 600 videos and cumulative views exceeding 10 crore.
The channel was run by LearnApp, a portfolio company of Rainmatter. Zero1 was structured as an equal joint venture between Zerodha and LearnApp. It remains unclear what impact the shutdown of the creator initiative may have on LearnApp.
Rainmatter has invested more than Rs 1,500 crore across over 160 startups spanning fintech, climate, health, media and deep technology.
