Success Story of Azhar Iqubal

Azhar Iqbal- An entrepreneur who started his Business from Facebook and then turned it into a big company. The company name is Inshorts. It is a news app which aggregates news online also it is a news app that shortens news and writes it within 60 words. Azhar Iqbal is currently the chairman of the Company and a new CEO name Deepit Purkayastha took over the position of CEO. Let us understand how a 31 year old guy founded the company and turned out to be a huge success.

Azhar Iqubal – Biography

• Azhar Iqubal is the Co-founder and Chairman of Inshorts. It was founded in the year 2015. Azhar Iqbal is a trailblazing businessman who began his career after quitting IIT Delhi’s Mathematics and Computer Science Programs.
• His leadership skills has been instrumental in the success of Inshorts as it is a ground breaking digital journalism platform. He was CEO for 11 years and now Azhar Iqubal took over as the Chairman of the company.
• Azhar Iqubal joined Shark Tank India as Shark for Season 3 where his investments are helping the start-ups to create a better impact in the business world.

Azhar Iqubal Early Life and Education

• Azhar Iqubal was born in Kishanganj, Bihar, India to a lower middle class family. He always wanted to learn new things and was keen for getting knowledge. He did well in school and got in to the top engineering college, IIT Delhi in the year 2009.
• Studying Computer Science with the help scholarship he laid the foundation for his success in business and technology. His academic achievements include rank around 600 in IIT JEE exam and pursuing an integrated M.Tech program at IIT Delhi before opting to focus on his business.

Azhar Iqubal Net Worth and Investments

• Azhar Iqubal has a net worth of INR 500 Crore. He is a self-made businessman and has won many awards, including the Business World Young Entrepreneur Award, Leaders of Asia Award and others. The company had raised around USD 119 million from investors like Tiger Global and Times Internet.

Azhar Iqubal Personal Life

• Azhar Iqubal hails from Bihar and currently lives in India. He loves driving and frequently goes for road trips. He is unmarried.

Azhar Iqubal – Inshorts

• Azhar Iqubal founded Inshorts which provides daily 60-word summaries of news updates to its customers. The company has created numerous creative advertising concepts that have assisted them in bringing on more than 250 brands.
• In 2013 , Azhar Iqubal a first generation businessman, began his career on a Facebook page-News in shorts with his IIT Classmate Anunay Arunav and Deepit Purkayastha. In no time this became a huge hit and they launched the company in an app.

Challenges and Triumphs:

• Inshorts encountered multiple hurdles typical of any trailblazing venture. From navigating the evolving landscape of vertical video formats to striking a balance between development and consumer demands, the journey wasn’t devoid of challenges.
• But all the obstacles metamorphosed in to a stepping stone, propelling Inshorts towards greater heights.

Innovation and Adaptability:

Diversification:

• Beyond News with ‘Public’ Azhar Iqubal’s entrepreneurial zeal did not halt with Inshorts’ triumph. In 2019, he unveiled ‘Public,’ a location-based social network and news platform. Boasting over 100 million downloads and a bustling community of content creators, Public has etched its mark as India’s largest location-centric social hub.
• Reflecting on his journey, Azhar remarks, “A decade later, as I step into my 30s, we are today one of the largest players in our space.” This unwavering dedication to innovation and user-centric design epitomises Azhar’s entrepreneurial ethos.

Impact and Recognition:

• A Bright Future for Digital Media As per Statista’s projections, India’s digital newspaper and magazine market is slated for significant growth, with revenues expected to soar to INR 1,079.00 million by 2024.
• This upward trajectory underscores the burgeoning appetite for digital media consumption, a realm where Inshorts thrives. With a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.77% forecasted till 2028, the digital media sphere presents ample opportunities for trailblazers like Inshorts to expand their footprint and captivate a burgeoning audience.

Continued Growth and Future Vision:

• Innovation and Expansion Inshorts’ narrative is not just about the past; it’s a beacon illuminating the path forward. Azhar Iqubal envisions a future where Inshorts broadens its linguistic horizons, catering to diverse regional dialects.
• This strategic move not only amplifies user engagement but also opens new avenues for ad revenue. Moreover, global diversification looms on the horizon, hinting at Inshorts’ ambition to transcend local news and make a mark on the global stage.
• Concurrently, Public’s burgeoning user base underscores Inshorts’ multi-faceted approach to sustained growth.

Azhar Iqubal – Shark Tank India

In the business reality show , Shark Tank India, Azhar Iqubal is one of the Sharks along with OYO’s CEO Ritesh Agarwal and Zomato’s CEO Deepinder Goyal in the third season of the show. This news created a wave of excitement and inspiration among the young entrepreneurs. Azhar Iqubal said one social media

“On Shark Tank India Season 3, I want to tell the youth of India that where you come from and whether you have a degree or not does not matter; what matters is whether you have hunger, discipline, and focus. And if you have it in you, I am here to support you in fulfilling your entrepreneurial dream.”

Azhar Iqubal – Awards and Recognitions

Here are the list of Awards and Recognitions received by Azhar Iqubal

• Business World 40 under 40
• Fortune India 40 under 40
• Business World Young Entrepreneur Award
• The Most Enterprising Brands
• Leaders of Asia Award
• Forbes India 30 under 30
• Forbes Asia 30 under 30

Azhar Iqubal – Interesting Fact

• Azhar Iqubal’s love for cars is evident in his collection, starting with the impressive Porsche 718 Boxster. This turbocharged marvel boasts a 7-speed PDK gearbox, reaching a top speed of 275 kph and accelerating from 0 to 100 kmph in just 4.9 seconds.
• Priced at Rs. 1.52 Crore in India and starting at $72,050 in the US, it’s a blend of luxury and power, with notable features like 18″ alloy wheels and exceptional handling.

Conclusion

Inshorts’ Transformative Impact on News Consumption and Azhar Iqubal’s Entrepreneurial Spirit Will Undoubtedly Leave an Indelible Mark on the Media Industry for Years to Come. As The World Continues to Evolve, Inshorts Stands Poised To Lead the Charge, Guided by Azhar’s Unwavering Commitment to Innovation and Excellence.