Facebook Page To $500M: : Meet Founder of Inshorts App Azhar Iqubal

Azhar Iqubal’s story is one of remarkable achievement and a testament to the power of vision and innovation in the entrepreneurial world. As a Shark Tank India judge and the founder of the Inshorts app, Iqubal represents a modern success story that began with a simple Facebook page and soared to a company valued at $500 million.

Born on October 7, 1992, in Bihar, India, Iqubal’s early life was marked by curiosity and a passion for information which led him to join IIT Delhi to study Mathematics and Computer Science. However, his entrepreneurial spirit soon took over, and he dropped out of IIT to co-found Inshorts with his classmates Anunay Pandey and Deepit Purkayastha in 2013.

Inshorts, a news app that delivers the latest news in less than 60 words, was a response to the youth’s growing distance from traditional news consumption. The app’s success is evident in its massive user base, which grew from just 100,000 in December 2014 to nearly three million. The application was launched for Apple iPhones in 2015, and by 2021, Inshorts had raised funding at a reported valuation of $550 million.

Iqubal’s journey didn’t stop with Inshorts. In 2019, he launched Public App, aiming to connect Indian local communities on a digital platform. The app quickly gained popularity, reaching over 50 million active users in its first year.

His contributions have not gone unnoticed, with Iqubal receiving several prestigious industry awards and recognitions, including the Business World Young Entrepreneur Award and featuring in lists like Forbes India 30 under 30.

As a new Shark Tank India judge, Iqubal brings his experience and insights to the table, seeking to inspire and assist the next generation of entrepreneurs. His own story is a powerful message that success is not about where one comes from or their academic credentials but about having hunger, discipline, and focus.

With Inshorts, Iqubal has not only revolutionized how the youth engage with news but has also crafted a narrative of inspiration for budding entrepreneurs across the globe. His story from an IIT dropout to a celebrated CEO underscores the essence of innovation, risk-taking, and the relentless pursuit of one’s dreams.