Azhar Iqubal has become a well-known name in India’s startup ecosystem. The Inshorts founder Azhar Iqubal built a digital news platform that changed how many Indians read daily updates. Search trends such as Azhar Iqubal net worth, Azhar Iqubal age, Azhar Iqubal Inshorts founder, and Azhar Iqubal Shark Tank India judge continue to grow as people follow his work in technology and entrepreneurship.

Azhar Iqubal is the co-founder of Inshorts, a mobile news platform that delivers short summaries of current events. The app allows readers to understand key news in about 60 words. The idea helped millions of young users stay informed without reading long articles.

In recent years, Iqubal also gained public attention through the business reality program Shark Tank India. On the show, he invests in new startups and shares guidance with entrepreneurs. His journey—from leaving a prestigious college to building two major digital platforms—has become a widely discussed startup story in India.

Early Life and Education

Azhar Iqubal was born in 1990 in India. He grew up in an environment that valued education and professional growth. During school years he developed a strong interest in technology and business ideas.

He later secured admission to the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, one of the most competitive engineering institutes in the country. At IIT Delhi he studied computer science and mathematics.

While studying there, Iqubal started exploring digital projects with friends. They noticed that many students wanted to stay updated with news but lacked time to read detailed articles.

During this period he made a bold decision. He chose to leave IIT Delhi before completing his degree and focus on building a startup. This decision marked the beginning of his entrepreneurial career.

The Idea That Led to Inshorts

The idea behind Inshorts began with a simple observation. Many young people preferred quick information instead of lengthy news stories.

Azhar Iqubal and his co-founders Deepit Purkayastha and Anunay Pandey created a Facebook page called “News in Shorts.” The page posted short summaries of major news events.

The response from readers was strong. The founders then converted the idea into a mobile application.

In 2013 they launched the app Inshorts. Each article on the platform was written in about 60 words. The format allowed readers to understand the headline and key facts in less than a minute.

The concept quickly attracted attention among smartphone users.

Rapid Growth of the Platform

The Inshorts app first launched on Android devices. Later the company expanded to Apple’s iOS platform.

As downloads increased, the startup hired editors and writers to produce summaries from reliable news sources. The platform began publishing hundreds of short stories each day.

A key step came in 2016 when Inshorts launched its Hindi edition. This move helped the app reach readers in smaller cities and towns.

Investors soon backed the company. Several funding rounds supported product development and team expansion.

By 2023 the company reached a valuation of about ₹3,700 crore. Millions of users installed the app, making it one of the most recognized mobile news platforms in India.

Launch of the Public App

After building Inshorts, Azhar Iqubal and his co-founders started another digital platform called Public.

Public focuses on local communities. The app allows users to share updates about events, civic issues, and local news.

The platform grew quickly after launch. Within a few years it crossed more than 100 million downloads across India.

Public became popular in smaller towns where local news coverage was limited. The platform allows people to access updates related to their own neighbourhood.

This expansion showed Iqubal’s interest in building digital products that address everyday information needs.

Role on Shark Tank India

Azhar Iqubal reached a wider audience when he joined the panel of investors on Shark Tank India.

The show features entrepreneurs presenting business ideas to investors known as “sharks.” The investors evaluate each pitch and decide whether to invest.

Iqubal’s presence on the panel reflects his experience in building technology startups. On the show he often focuses on product-market fit, scalability, and customer demand when reviewing business ideas.

His investments include startups working in sectors such as technology products, consumer goods, apparel innovation, and food services.

The show has also made him familiar to viewers outside the startup community.

Startup Investments and Business Interests

Apart from running Inshorts and Public, Azhar Iqubal also invests in new companies.

Through the television show and private investments he has supported several early-stage startups. These companies operate in fields such as augmented reality technology, sustainable personal care products, and consumer platforms.

Early-stage investments help founders access capital and guidance. Investors like Iqubal often assist with product strategy and market expansion.

His involvement reflects the collaborative nature of India’s startup ecosystem, where experienced founders support emerging entrepreneurs.

Net Worth and Financial Growth

Public reports estimate that Azhar Iqubal’s wealth is closely linked to the valuation of his companies.

The success of Inshorts and Public forms the foundation of his financial standing. These platforms generate revenue through advertising partnerships and digital media services.

Iqubal also earns from startup investments, advisory roles, and public speaking engagements at business events.

As digital media continues to expand in India, analysts expect platforms like Inshorts to remain relevant in the evolving news industry.

Impact on Digital Media in India

Azhar Iqubal’s work reflects a larger shift in how people consume information.

Traditional news formats often rely on long articles. In contrast, mobile users prefer short summaries that deliver key facts quickly.

Inshorts introduced this style of news consumption to a large audience. The platform influenced how other digital media companies design their content.

At the same time, the Public app created a new channel for local information sharing. It allowed people to follow events in their own communities.

Together, these platforms highlight the growing role of mobile technology in India’s information economy.

Conclusion

Azhar Iqubal’s journey shows how a simple idea can grow into a major digital platform. From a Facebook page summarizing news to building a company valued in thousands of crores, his career reflects the speed of India’s technology sector.

His work with Inshorts changed the way many people read news on smartphones. The launch of the Public app expanded his influence in local information networks.

Through his role on Shark Tank India and his startup investments, he now supports the next generation of entrepreneurs.

As digital platforms continue to evolve, Azhar Iqubal remains an important figure in India’s technology and startup landscape.

FAQs

Q1. Who is Azhar Iqubal?
Azhar Iqubal is an Indian entrepreneur and the co-founder of the Inshorts news app. He is also known as an investor on Shark Tank India.

Q2. What is Azhar Iqubal’s age?
Azhar Iqubal was born in 1990 and is about 35 years old as of 2025.

Q3. What is Azhar Iqubal known for?
He is known for founding the Inshorts news platform and launching the Public community app.

Q4. What is Azhar Iqubal’s net worth?
His wealth is linked to the valuation of Inshorts and Public, which together are valued in the thousands of crores according to public estimates.