Zeba Naseem/Mumbai

A major news story in just 60 words. What was once an experiment is today known to the world as Inshorts - offering a quick recap of the news around the world for the generation with short attention span or busy professional for whom news is just a little more than a headline.

Inshorts mobile application is the brainchild of a young man who realised that the world had become increasingly busy. Everyone was absorbed in their own lives. The idea of presenting the essence of news in a concise form was a new experiment. Azhar Iqubal, 24, launched his facebook page with crisp anc concise news a decade ago and it has now become tha modern way of news consumption.

What began as a simple Facebook page called News in Shorts has now grown into a major digital company known as Inshorts.

Azhar Iqubal belongs to Kishanganj, Bihar and comes from a middle-class background. As a child, he was interested in learning new things and gaining knowledge. He performed well academically and graduated from IIT Delhi in 2009.

Azhar Iqubal

He studied an integrated higher education programme related to Mathematics and Computer Science. However. During his studies at IIT, he realised that his dreams were not limited to conventional education and a regular job. He decided to leave the institution.

His present financial success is also seen as a reflection of that quest for discoveries and doing something new. According to records in public, his annual income was estimated at USD 1,14,143.

In 2013. Azhar Iqubal along with his classmates Anunay Arunav and Deepit Prakashtha started a Facebook page called News in Shorts. The idea was very simple but addressed a major need. Important news would be selected and presented in simple and concise language. A source would also be provided so that readers could access the original report.

Azhar Iqubal

Their objective was to ensure that people did not have to spend a long time reading lengthy articles to know what was happening in the world. At a time when the flow of information was increasing and people had less time. The concept proved attractive to many readers.

An important turning point in the journey of Azhar Iqubal and his colleagues came when their project was selected for T-Labs, an incubation programme for startups supported by the Times Internet Group.

For the three young entrepreneurs. This opportunity was not merely a source of financial support, it also gave them an opportunity to learn about building a business.

Running an organisation and turning an idea into a viable company. With this support. The concept of News in Shorts moved forward and later took the shape of a complete platform known as Inshorts. This was the stage when a simple Facebook page gradually began turning into a major business venture.

Azhar Iqubal in Shark Tank

Following his initial success, Azhar Iqubal and his colleagues turned their project into a formal business. The objective of Inshorts was clear-- to provide users with maximum essential news information in minimum time.

For busy people. It became a platform through which they could quickly look at important news from different fields.

The growing popularity of Inshorts also attracted the attention of investors. In the early stage. T-Labs provided financial support of Rs. 10 lakh in 2013. The company subsequently raised significant amounts through different rounds of investment.

Investment received in 2015 gave further momentum to the company’s growth. In later years. International investors also showed interest in the platform. According to various reports. The company raised investments worth millions of dollars from several investors including Tiger Global and Times Internet.

Azhar Iqubal

The idea that began as a Facebook page reached millions and eventually tens of millions of users within a few years. The large number of active users and downloads of Inshorts demonstrated that the demand for concise news was not merely a temporary trend.

This success strengthened a new approach to digital news delivery. People realised that understanding every piece of news did not necessarily require a great deal of time. If information was carefully selected and presented in a comprehensive manner. Even a few words could convey a great deal.

Following the success of Inshorts, Azhar Iqubal InShorts expanded the Public platform to connect people with events taking place around them at the local level.

Azhar Iqubal in Shark Tank

The company continued to deliver national and international news in a concise format and also a new platform for local news and communication within the community.

Azhar Iqubal played an important role in the establishment and growth of Inshorts. For a long period, he led the company’s management and later took on the responsibility of chairman. Meanwhile. Deepit Prakashtha assumed the role of chief executive. This change also reflected the company’s journey from a start up to an established organisation.

Azhar Iqubal’s business success also made him a prominent public figure. He joined the panel of investors in the third season of Shark Tank India.

He had an opportunity to interact directly with entrepreneurs and young founders from across the country. For someone who had started a small experiment on Facebook as a student, assessing the business dreams of otherss and providing them with investment and guidance represented a unique stage in his journey.

Azhar Iqubal

Azhar Iqubal has been featured in various national and international honours and lists. He has been associated with lists and awards including Business World 40 Under 40. Fortune India 40 Under 40. Business World Young Entrepreneur Award. Forbes India 30 Under 30 and Forbes Asia 30 Under 30.

Azhar Iqubal’s story is not yet complete. The journey that began with a small Facebook page has reached major platforms such as Inshorts and Public. From leaving his studies at IIT Delhi to becoming a successful entrepreneur and then guiding the business dreams of young people on Shark Tank India. His journey has passed through several stages.

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From a young man from Bihar to becoming one of India’s prominent startup entrepreneurs. Azhar Iqubal’s journey is a story of passion. Struggle. Perseverance and belief in an idea. He has shown that when a person has the desire to do something new and is not afraid of failure and uncertainty. A journey that begins with a small Facebook page can also become a part of the lives of millions of people.