Azhar Iqubal: The Visionary Behind Inshorts’ Success

Introduction

Azhar Iqubal, the co-founder and Chairman of Inshorts, has revolutionized the way news is consumed in India. In a world where attention spans are shrinking, he identified the need for concise yet informative news updates. Today, Inshorts stands as one of India’s leading news aggregators, delivering breaking news in 60-word summaries to millions of users. His journey from an IIT dropout to a successful entrepreneur and now a judge on Shark Tank India is nothing short of inspirational.

Early Life and Education

Born on October 7, 1992, in Bihar, India, Azhar Iqubal had a keen interest in technology and business from a young age. He joined IIT Delhi to pursue Mathematics and Computer Science but dropped out to chase his entrepreneurial dream.

His decision to leave IIT was met with skepticism, but it ultimately led him to create Inshorts, a platform that transformed digital news consumption in India.

The Birth of Inshorts

Azhar co-founded Inshorts in 2013 with Anunay Pandey and Deepit Purkayastha. It started as a simple Facebook page called News in Shorts, which summarized key news stories in just a few lines. The concept quickly gained traction, leading to the launch of the Inshorts mobile app, which delivers bite-sized news in 60 words or less.

Key Milestones:

• 2013: Launched as a Facebook page
• 2015: Secured $4M funding from Tiger Global
• 2016: Reached 1 million daily active users
• 2019: Launched Public App, a hyperlocal news platform
• 2021: Raised $60M in Series D funding led by VY Capital
• 2024: Stepped down as CEO to become Chairman of Inshorts

Business Model and Revenue Growth

Inshorts primarily earns revenue through native advertising and brand partnerships. Over the years, it has collaborated with leading brands like Netflix, Amazon, OnePlus, and Vodafone to create engaging ad campaigns.

With a user base exceeding 10 million, the company has successfully monetized digital news consumption, making it a profitable venture. Public App, launched in 2019, further expanded its reach by offering localized updates from verified sources.

Challenges and Triumphs

Despite its success, Inshorts faced multiple challenges:

• Skepticism from Investors: Convincing investors about the viability of a short-form news platform was difficult in the early stages.
• Competition from Mainstream Media: The platform had to carve its niche against established media houses.
• Pandemic Challenges: While COVID-19 disrupted many industries, Inshorts emerged as a trusted news source, ranking among the top three Play Store recommendations for reliable pandemic updates.

Through strategic decision-making and a user-centric approach, Azhar Iqubal and his team overcame these hurdles, cementing Inshorts’ position as India’s top news aggregator.

Investments and Future Plans

Azhar Iqubal is not just an entrepreneur but also an investor. He has invested in QuickReply.ai, a conversational commerce platform, showcasing his interest in emerging tech-driven businesses.

With Inshorts expanding its AI capabilities, the future looks promising for the platform. The focus remains on enhancing user experience, integrating video content, and expanding regional language support.

Shark Tank India and Entrepreneurial Influence

In 2024, Azhar Iqubal joined Shark Tank India as a judge, further solidifying his role as a mentor for budding entrepreneurs. His presence on the show brings a fresh perspective, especially for startups in the content and digital space.

Conclusion

Azhar Iqubal’s journey from an IIT dropout to the Chairman of a multi-million dollar startup is a testament to the power of innovation and resilience. His ability to identify market gaps and consumer needs has set him apart as one of India’s top young entrepreneurs.

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