Azhar Iqubal - The Progress Catalyst
Redefining digital news and connectivity
Nationality: Indian
Date of Birth: 7 Oct1992
Hometown: Kishanganj, Bihar, India
Spouse: Single
Education: Completed schooling in Bihar; pursued Bachelor of Technology in Mathematics and Computing at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi (dropped out in his third year)
Employment History: Azhar Iqubal is the co-founder and Chairman of Inshorts, one of India’s leading news aggregation platforms, and Public, a location-based social network connecting millions of users. As an entrepreneur and visionary, Azhar has redefined how Indians consume news and stay informed.
His leadership journey reflects an innovative approach to technology, a user-first mindset, and the ability to scale disruptive ideas into widely recognised platforms.
In 2023, Azhar was appointed as a judge on Shark Tank India, further cementing his role as a key figure in India’s start-up ecosystem.
Azhar Iqubal, digital news innovator
Azhar Iqubal’s entrepreneurial journey began during his time at IIT Delhi when he identified the need for concise and easily digestible news content. In 2013, he co-founded Inshorts, a platform that delivers 60-word summaries of news articles, enabling users to stay informed without spending excessive time reading lengthy articles. Under his leadership, Inshorts has grown to serve millions of users across India, making it one of the most popular news apps in the country.
Expanding his vision of digital connectivity, Azhar co-founded Public in 2019. The app has emerged as a game-changer in local news and community engagement, offering users real-time updates from their immediate surroundings. Public’s success is attributed to its focus on hyperlocal content, video-based updates, and innovative features that connect users with their communities.
Impact Maker Azhar Iqubal
Azhar’s work has had a transformative impact on India’s digital ecosystem, particularly in the media and technology sectors. By democratising access to information, Inshorts and Public have empowered users to engage with news and events in new and meaningful ways. His platforms have also created opportunities for advertisers and content creators to reach targeted audiences, driving growth in India’s digital advertising industry.
Through his role as a Shark Tank India judge, Azhar mentors budding entrepreneurs, helping them refine their business ideas and scale their ventures. His expertise in technology and product innovation has positioned him as a key advocate for the start-up community.
Change Maker Azhar Iqubal
Azhar Iqubal’s ventures have disrupted traditional media consumption patterns, introducing a mobile-first approach that caters to India’s rapidly growing smartphone user base. By focusing on data-driven insights and user-centric design, he has created platforms that are intuitive, engaging, and widely accessible.
Moreover, Azhar’s efforts to address India’s linguistic diversity by offering regional language support on both Inshorts and Public have significantly expanded their reach, ensuring inclusivity for users across the country. His work reflects a commitment to leveraging technology for social good, bridging information gaps, and fostering local engagement.
Progress Catalyst Azhar Iqubal
Azhar’s vision for the future of digital media continues to inspire innovation. As Chairman of Inshorts, he is actively exploring new ways to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) into content curation and delivery. Public’s rapid growth demonstrates his ability to anticipate market trends and adapt to evolving user needs, making him a trailblazer in India’s start-up ecosystem.
Achievements
Co-founding Inshorts in 2013: Azhar revolutionised how news is consumed in India, creating a platform that now serves millions of users daily.
Co-founding Public in 2019: The hyperlocal social network has become one of India’s top apps for local news and updates, with over 100 million downloads.
Role as Chairman: In 2023, Azhar transitioned from CEO to Chairman of Inshorts, focusing on long-term strategy and innovation.
Shark Tank India Judge (Season 3): Azhar joined the judging panel of the popular entrepreneurial show, where he mentors and invests in promising start-ups.
Recognition in media and technology sectors: Azhar has been featured in prominent platforms such as Economic Times, NDTV, and Financial Express, highlighting his contributions to India’s start-up landscape.
Champion of linguistic inclusivity: By offering regional language options on Inshorts and Public, Azhar has made information more accessible to India’s diverse population.
Awards
Business World Young Entrepreneur Award
The Most Enterprising Brands Award
Leaders of Asia Award
Fortune India 40 under 40 (2016)
Business World 40 under 40 (2018)
Forbes India 30 under 30
Forbes Asia 30 under 30
