Azhar Iqubal, an IIT Delhi dropout, founded Inshorts, a news app valued at ₹3,700 crore with over 500 million users.
His estimated net worth is around ₹500 crore, fueled by the success of Inshorts, Public App, and strategic investments.
As a Shark Tank India judge, Iqubal inspires young entrepreneurs with his tech-driven business insights and innovative approach.
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As attention spans shrink, bite-sized content like reels, headlines, and micro-news has become a powerful business opportunity, exemplified by Azhar Iqubal’s net worth. An IIT Delhi dropout, he founded Inshorts in 2013, a news app delivering concise updates in just 60 words, attracting millions of users with its intuitive design. Today, Azhar Iqubal net worth reflects his entrepreneurial success, innovative approach, and growing influence in India’s tech and media landscape.
Azhar Iqubal’s Background and Education
Now, who is Azhar Iqubal? Azhar Iqubal was born in Kishanganj, located in Bihar in India. Hailing from a lower-middle-class family, he always had a dream of achieving something and wanted to gain knowledge. He secured around the 600th rank in the JEE exam and got placed in the top engineering college, IIT Delhi.
Azhar Iqubal education was an integral part that directed his way of becoming an entrepreneurial person. He pursued a Bachelor of Technology degree in Electrical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi. He began to nurture his interest in technology innovation while studying at IIT. Here’s a glimpse of how his education helped him execute the whole idea of developing a news app like Inshorts:
Through his engineering knowledge, Azhar took up the technological part of the platform and made it work smoothly and easily for the users.
Azhar’s education helped him acquire solid technical skills, which were useful in building Inshorts.
In addition, his stay at IIT was filled with an environment where innovative ideas and entrepreneurship were dominant. This allowed him to explore his ambitions as an entrepreneur. Within this competitive environment, he developed his entrepreneurial spirit to grab new opportunities and solve issues.
From its inception, Azhar Iqubal’s business trajectory propelled the establishment of Inshorts. He realised that the world needed in-depth, quick, and easy-to-digest information for the digital age. This realization was the beginning of Inshorts.
At IIT, Azhar tried different technology pursuits to get all the necessary knowledge and ideas.
Azhar Iqubal’s education and his entrepreneurial spirit eventually resulted in the foundation and entrepreneurial success of Inshorts.
Inshorts: Revolutionising News Consumption
The birth and rise of Inshorts under Azhar Iqubal’s business representation, innovativeness, persistence, and flexibility of digital media. Azhar, along with his two classmates, Anunay Arunav and Deepit Purkayastha, turned towards the startup world and began a Facebook page in 2013. The page started gaining popularity among students of IIT and in local circles. News in Shorts was the first startup idea by Azhar Iqubal and his friends, where they summarized news stories in just 60 words. Later, it was developed into an app with the name “Inshorts”. It was designed to respond to the increasing need for short and mobile-friendly news updates. The team was determined to polish their product so as to satisfy the needs of their users.
The platform’s easy-to-use interface helped Inshorts gain popularity, driving increased engagement and retention. By using algorithms to personalize news content based on users’ interests and reading habits, Inshorts offers a tailored experience. Inshorts’ Net Worth reflects the success of this approach, as Azhar Iqubal’s vision of equalizing access to news has provided users with a variety of sources and topics on one platform. Users are presented with diverse perspectives, keeping them informed about multiple issues and broadening their understanding of the world.
Inshorts has become the largest news platform, with over 500 million users. As of October 2023, its valuation was Rs 3700 crores. As Inshorts’ popularity grew, Azhar Iqubal’s business made partnerships with various reputable companies to make a profit. Due to Azhar Iqubal business model and constant product development, Inshorts became a major player in the digital news sector.
Azhar Iqubal Net Worth & Business Ventures
Apart from Inshorts, Azhar Iqubal has expanded his entrepreneurial efforts into other successful ventures. While Inshorts remains his flagship project, he launched the Public App in 2019, which focuses on delivering hyperlocal news in video format. The app has gained over 100 million users, with the goal of bringing local communities across India together on a digital platform. Azhar Iqubal Net Worth has grown significantly through this venture, especially after Public App raised 300 crores in funding from A91 Partners in 2021. These funds are being used to enhance technology infrastructure and content development, positioning the app as one of India’s largest location-based social networking platforms.
Azhar Iqubal net worthis about Rs 500 Crore. It is primarily due to the success of his startup as, Inshorts founder. Azhar Iqubal’s company has drawn praise by gaining the BusinessWorld Young Entrepreneur Award and the Leaders of Asia Award. The other awards received by Azhar Iqubal are listed below:
Fortune 40 under 40 was awarded in 2016.
Business World 40 under 40 was received in 2018
Forbes India 30 under 30 was received in the year 2018
Entrepreneur of the Year 2022 by Entrepreneur India Magazine
In 2019, Azhar Iqubal became the director of Locvid Services Private Limited, which provides services related to business and accountancy. So far, Azhar Iqubal Inshorts has raised $119 million from investors like Tiger Global and Times Internet. Azhar Iqubal’s company is recognised as a notable shareholder for gaining wealth from reputed investors.
Contributions and Appearances on Shark Tank India
Azhar Iqbal impressive achievements in the entrepreneurial world earned him a spot as a judge on Shark Tank India Season 3. His vast experience and success in building companies like Inshorts and Public App played a key role in his selection.
As the Inshorts founder, Azhar’s journey has inspired countless budding entrepreneurs. Azhar Iqubal biography reveals how his early struggles and vision helped him reshape India’s digital news landscape.
His sharp business acumen is evident through his startup investments and strategic decisions, which have significantly contributed to Azhar Iqbal net worth.
On the show, Azhar Iqubal shared valuable insights that reflected his deep understanding of markets and innovation. From his early days at IIT to becoming a media disruptor, Azhar Iqubal education played a crucial role in developing his analytical and tech skills.
Today, Azhar Iqubal net worth stands as a testament to his vision, perseverance, and execution
On the show, he invested in the idea of intelligent clothing endorsed by the brand TURMS with a deal of Rs 1.2 Crores for 4% Equity.
Along with Peyush Bansal, he agreed to invest in the idea of Skin Care Products by the brand Mintree with an investment of Rs 90 Lakhs for 1.5% Equity.
He also agreed to invest in the brand Chefling along with Peyush Bansal, Namitha Thaoar, and Amit Jain. The deal was closed with a Rs 40 lakh investment at a 16% valuation.
Azhar Iqubal has also invested with Peyush Bansal, Anupam Mittal, and Amit Jain in a brand called Aroleap. They closed the deal with a Rs 1 crore investment for 5% equity.
In general, Azhar Iqubal, in Shark Tank India, presented himself as a great negotiator in the Indian startup businesses. Azhar Iqubal’s biography, from being an IIT dropout to a media giant, his story can inspire millions of youth who want to achieve in the business sector.
Azhar Iqubal’s Journey from IIT to Shark Tank India
Azhar Iqubal has made significant contributions to the tech industry and media through his work in news aggregation with Inshorts. As the co-founder, Iqubal revolutionized how news is consumed by introducing concise, mobile-friendly summaries for users on the go. Azhar Iqubal Net Worth reflects his visionary approach to both investment and mentorship, encouraging aspiring entrepreneurs to explore impactful areas.
Looking ahead, Azhar Iqubal’s future vision revolves around innovations, entrepreneurship, and social impact. As a judge on Shark Tank India, he provides invaluable knowledge to young, aspiring entrepreneurs, helping shape the future business landscape in India and beyond. His growing Azhar Iqubal Net Worth demonstrates his ability to identify and invest in promising ventures. According to Iqubal, his next business steps may involve expanding both nationally and internationally, and diversifying content to meet the evolving needs of users. With his experience, he is well-positioned to introduce new businesses or projects that continue to drive growth and innovation.
Inshort App Funding: From Facebook Page to $550M Valuation
2013 – The Beginning
The Inshort app journey began as a Facebook page called News in Shorts, founded by Azhar Iqubal, Deepit Purkayastha, and Anunay Arunav.
The idea: deliver news in just 60 words to cater to mobile-first, time-crunched readers.
Early popularity led to building the official Inshort app.
2015 – Seed & Series A Funding
Raised initial funding from Rebright Partners and Tiger Global.
Official launch of the Inshort app, focusing on short, summarized news.
Acquired BetaGlide (later Retention.ai) to improve user retention and app performance.
2016–2019 – Growth & Product Enhancement
Secured Series B and Series C funding rounds.
The Inshort app scaled to millions of users with improved personalization algorithms.
Introduced machine learning features to tailor content based on user behavior.
September 2020 – Major Investment
Raised $35 million from Addition (Lee Fixel’s fund).
Inshort app valuation crossed $125 million.
Simultaneously scaled Public App, a hyperlocal video news platform.
2021 – Big Leap in Valuation
Raised an additional $60 million led by Vy Capital, with continued participation from existing investors.
Inshort app valuation rose to $550 million.
Funds were used to strengthen tech, expand content offerings, and grow team size
Why Inshorts Succeeded in the Micro-Content Era?
The success of Inshorts is closely tied to its perfect timing and deep understanding of the Indian digital audience. Here’s why it stood out:
Attention Span Optimization: With social media training people to consume information quickly, Inshorts matched the pace of digital life with fast, scannable summaries.
Mobile-First Design: Inshorts was designed specifically for smartphones, with a clean, vertical swipe interface that made browsing effortless.
AI-Powered Personalization: Using machine learning algorithms, the Inshorts app delivers personalized news feeds based on user interests and reading habits.
Trust and Credibility: Despite its brevity, the app sources stories from credible publishers, maintaining trust while delivering convenience.
Surprising Fact About Azhar Iqubal
Azhar Iqubal’s Passion for High-Performance Cars
Beyond his entrepreneurial achievements, Azhar Iqubal has a notable interest in luxury and high-performance vehicles. His collection includes a Porsche 718 Boxster, a turbocharged sports car renowned for its agility and design. This vehicle can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 275 km/h. Priced at approximately ₹1.52 crore in India, it reflects his appreciation for engineering excellence and performance.
Conclusion
Azhar Iqubal’s net worth in 2025 highlights not only his financial success but also the impact of innovation, strategic thinking, and resilience. As the co-founder of Inshorts and a prominent figure in India’s startup ecosystem, his journey proves that bold ideas combined with execution can create extraordinary results. Aspiring entrepreneurs can draw inspiration from Azhar’s story, learning valuable lessons in vision, persistence, and scalable growth.
As of 2025, Azhar Iqubal’s net worth is estimated to be around ₹500 crore, driven by the success of Inshorts, Public App, and his strategic investments.
What does Azhar Iqubal do?
Azhar Iqubal is a self-made businessman who is also the co-founder and CEO of the Inshorts app. He dropped out of IIT to start his business venture. He is also a co-founder of Public App, which tends to focus on connecting the local communities of India. He was invited as a guest on Shark Tank India Season 3. His position as a Shark gave him the chance to evaluate and invest in promising startups.
Who is the CEO of Inshorts?
The CEO of Inshorts is Azhar Iqubal. He is also a co-founder of the company. Inshorts is a news aggregation platform known for delivering news in short, summarized formats.
What is the net worth of the InShorts CEO?
Azhar Iqubal is the CEO and Co-Founder of Inshorts. He founded the company with Deepit Purkayastha and Anunay Arunav to provide quick news updates. What is Azhar Iqubal net worth? Azhar Iqubal, Inshorts CEO, has a net worth of ₹500 crore (2025).
How does Inshorts earn money?
Inshorts operates using a dual revenue stream model, combining in-app advertising and sponsored content. The app’s advertising strategy is both subtle and effective, with native ads blending seamlessly into users’ news feeds. This approach enhances ad visibility without disrupting the user experience, allowing for a smooth and engaging interface while generating significant revenue.
What is the net worth of Azhar Iqubal company?
As of 2025, Inshorts, founded by Azhar Iqubal, is valued at approximately ₹3,700 crore, supported by its massive user base and rapid growth in the digital media sector.
What is the rank of Azhar Iqubal in IIT?
He secured around the 600th rank in the JEE exam and got placed in the top engineering college, IIT Delhi. Azhar Iqubal’s education was an integral part that directed his way of becoming an entrepreneurial person.
How is Azhar’s company performing at present?
Azhar’s company, Inshorts, reported ₹181.4 crore in revenue for FY 2024, with minimal growth from the previous year. Despite this, it reduced its net loss by 26%, showing improved financial health and better operational efficiency.
Authored by, Samiksha Samra Digital Content Writer
Samiksha is a writer with a passion for sharing ideas and a knack for detail. She loves turning concepts into meaningful, engaging content. With a strong background in research and content strategy, she crafts clear, easy-to-understand narratives that resonate with readers. Her curiosity drives her to explore new subjects, ensuring every piece she creates is both insightful and impactful.