Arjun Panchal

Azhar Iqubal's entrepreneurial journey is a testament to innovation, perseverance, and a deep understanding of market needs. Alongside his IIT classmates Anunay Pandey and Deepit Purkayastha, Azhar identified a growing gap in news consumption habits, particularly among Millennials and Gen Z. With the rise of smartphones and the increasing scarcity of time, they recognised the need for concise, easily digestible news content.

In 2013, they launched a page called News in Shorts, providing quick summaries of news stories within 60 words. The idea gained traction, leading to the development of the Inshorts app, which officially launched in 2015. By July of the same year, the app had garnered 1 million Android installs with a stellar 4.5-star rating, signalling its rapid ascent in the digital landscape.

Despite its early success, the team remained focused on delivering value to users rather than immediate monetisation. This user-centric approach paid off as Inshorts became India's highest-rated English news app, boasting over 10 million active users. Achieving operational profitability within five years of its inception, Inshorts also secured partnerships with over 500 brands for marketing campaigns and content collaborations.

Building on this success, Azhar ventured into new territory with the founding of Public App in 2019. With a mission to connect local communities through a digital platform, Public App quickly became India's largest location-based social network, attracting over 50 million active users and facilitating the creation of over 1 million videos monthly.

Azhar's achievements haven't gone unnoticed, earning him prestigious accolades such as the Business World Young Entrepreneur Award. Reflecting on his journey, Azhar emphasizes the importance of understanding the scale of the problem before diving into entrepreneurship.

Azhar Iqubal continues to shape the landscape of digital news consumption and community engagement in India and beyond. With Inshorts and Public App leading the way, Azhar's impact on the tech industry serves as an inspiration for future generations of innovators.

Do not become an entrepreneur if you feel any of the following 👆

Corporate Entrepreneurship is on the rise!

Had a great experience delivering an MDP session on “Entrepreneurship in My Business” during the Capacity-Building program for Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited business dealers at Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Pune. The highlights of the session:

- Mindset difference - 10% vs 10x
- Business vs Entrepreneurship
- Hidden problems/needs that even consumers don’t know.
- A million-dollar business model - the sheer game changer!
- Latest and future industry trends
- Service vs Experience

It was motivating to see business dealers embracing sitting back in the classroom setting :) Indeed, they loved it! They in return taught the “aspiration to learn and embrace change, regardless of their stage or affluence.”

Thanks to Dr Deepika Pandita and Santosh Gopalkrishnan, PhD for having me.