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Inshorts

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Inshorts is an Indian news aggregator and mobile application company headquartered in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. Founded in 2013 by Azhar Iqubal, Anunay Arunav, and Deepit Purkayastha, Inshorts delivers news summaries in 60 words or less, targeting a young, digital-savvy audience. The platform is known for its user-friendly interface and concise content, covering topics such as politics, business, technology, sports, and entertainment. Inshorts also operates the Public App, a hyperlocal news and video-sharing platform.[1][2]

Inshorts
Company typePrivate
IndustryNews media, Mobile application
Founded2013; 12 years ago (2013)
FounderAzhar Iqubal, Anunay Arunav, Deepit Purkayastha
Headquarters
Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
Area served
India, Global
Key people
Azhar Iqubal (Chairman), Anunay Arunav (CEO), Deepit Purkayastha (CTO)
ProductsInshorts Mobile Application, Public App
ServicesNews aggregation, Short-form news content
Revenue₹181 crore (FY24)
Websiteinshorts.com

History

Inshorts was founded in 2013 by Azhar Iqubal, Anunay Arunav, and Deepit Purkayastha, who were students at IIT Delhi before dropping out to pursue the venture. The idea originated from a Facebook page called "News in Shorts," which shared concise news summaries. The positive response led to the development of the Inshorts mobile app in 2015, focusing on delivering news in a format suited for busy, mobile-first users.[3][4]

In 2015, Inshorts raised $4 million in a Series A funding round led by Tiger Global, with participation from Rebright Partners and Flipkart co-founders Sachin and Binny Bansal.[5] The company later secured $20 million in 2016 from Tiger Global and other investors, valuing it at approximately $100 million.[6]

In 2020, Inshorts launched the Public App, a platform for hyperlocal news, videos, and community updates, which gained popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic for its real-time, location-based information.[7] In 2025, co-founder Azhar Iqubal launched Fenado AI, a no-code app and website-building platform, in collaboration with former Inshorts technology head Manish Singh Bisht.[8][9]

Products and Services

Inshorts’ primary product is its mobile application, available on Android and iOS, which aggregates news from various sources and summarizes it in 60 words or less. The app emphasizes a clutter-free user experience, avoiding excessive prompts and external links to keep users focused on the content.[10]

The Public App, launched in 2020, allows users to access hyperlocal news, share videos, and engage with community updates. It supports multiple Indian languages, including Hindi, Bengali, and Tamil, catering to regional audiences.[11]

Inshorts also experimented with audio news summaries and personalized news feeds but has primarily focused on its short-form text and video content.[12]

Business Model

Inshorts operates an advertising-based business model, generating revenue through in-app advertisements, sponsored content, and brand collaborations. Ads are integrated seamlessly into the news feed to maintain user experience. The company targets a young, urban audience, making it attractive to brands in sectors like technology, e-commerce, and entertainment.[13][14]

In FY24, Inshorts reported operating revenue of ₹181 crore, flat compared to FY23, while reducing its net loss by 26% to ₹228 crore by cutting advertising and promotional expenses.[15]

Market Presence

Inshorts primarily serves the Indian market but has a global user base, with significant downloads in the United States and United Kingdom. As of 2024, the app had over 10 million monthly active users, with the Public App contributing to its regional growth in India.[16] The company competes with platforms like Dailyhunt and Google News.[17]

Reception

Inshorts has been praised for its innovative approach to news delivery, particularly for catering to millennials and Gen Z with short attention spans. Its minimalist design and focus on user experience have earned it awards, including the Best Mobile App at the 2016 India Digital Awards.[18]

However, the platform has faced criticism for oversimplifying complex news stories and relying heavily on advertising revenue, which some argue compromises editorial independence.[19][20]

Future Plans

Inshorts plans to enhance its AI-driven personalization and expand the Public App’s reach in Tier-II and Tier-III cities in India. The company is also exploring international markets and new content formats, such as podcasts and interactive news.[21][22]

References

  1. ↑ "Inshorts: Get Your Daily Dose of News in 60 Words or Less". StartupTalky. 21 January 2025. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  2. ↑ "Inshorts Company Profile". Crunchbase. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  3. ↑ "Inshorts: From IIT Dropouts to News Revolution". YourStory. 10 August 2015. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  4. ↑ "Inshorts Raises Seed Fund from Times Internet". Inshorts. 16 April 2025. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  5. ↑ "News In Shorts Raises $4 Million". Inshorts. 17 April 2025. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  6. ↑ "Inshorts Raises $20M in Series B Funding". TechCrunch. 19 July 2016. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  7. ↑ "Public App by Inshorts Gains Traction". The Hindu Business Line. 15 October 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  8. ↑ "Inshorts Co-founder Azhar Iqubal Launches Fenado AI". AFAQS. 9 January 2025. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  9. ↑ "Inshorts Cofounder Azhar Iqubal Launches AI Platform". Inc42. 9 January 2025. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  10. ↑ "Inshorts: Get Your Daily Dose of News in 60 Words or Less". StartupTalky. 21 January 2025. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  11. ↑ "Public App: Inshorts' Hyperlocal Venture". Financial Express. 5 November 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  12. ↑ "Inshorts Explores Audio News Features". Exchange4Media. 12 March 2021. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  13. ↑ "Inshorts Posts Flat Revenue in FY24". The Economic Times. 13 November 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  14. ↑ "Inshorts Business Model Explained". Tracxn. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  15. ↑ "Inshorts Posts Flat Revenue in FY24". The Economic Times. 13 November 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  16. ↑ "Inshorts Reaches 10 Million Monthly Active Users". Business Standard. 12 March 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  17. ↑ "Inshorts vs Dailyhunt: The News Aggregation Battle". Forbes India. 20 April 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  18. ↑ "Inshorts Wins Best Mobile App Award". AFAQS. 15 February 2016. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  19. ↑ "Inshorts' Ad-Driven Model Under Scrutiny". The Week. 10 May 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  20. ↑ "The Challenges of Short-Form News". Condé Nast Traveller India. 25 June 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  21. ↑ "Inshorts to Expand Public App in Smaller Cities". Financial Express. 10 January 2025. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  22. ↑ "Inshorts Eyes Podcasts and Interactive News". Exchange4Media. 5 February 2025. Retrieved 17 April 2025.

External Links

  • Official website
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