Founded by Azhar Iqubal, along with his college friends Anunay Arunav and Deepit Purkayastha, Inshorts focuses on providing news in 60 words or less, making it easy for users to stay updated without spending too much time. Let’s explore the inspiring story of Inshorts and the valuable lessons it offers for future entrepreneurs.
The Birth of Inshorts:
Inshorts was founded in 2013 by Azhar Iqubal, Anunay Arunav, and Deepit Purkayastha, who were then students at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi. The idea for Inshorts came from their realization that people, especially millennials, often found it difficult to keep up with the news due to their busy schedules. They saw an opportunity to create a platform that would deliver news in a concise format, allowing users to stay informed without investing much time.
Building the Platform:
Starting as a Facebook page called “News in Shorts,” the founders quickly gained traction by summarizing news articles into short snippets. The positive response encouraged them to develop a mobile app, which officially launched in 2013. The app’s unique value proposition of delivering news in 60 words or less resonated with users, leading to rapid growth.
Key Factors Driving Inshorts’ Success:
- Concise Content: Inshorts’ unique selling point is its 60-word news summaries, which cater to the fast-paced lifestyle of modern consumers. This brevity allows users to quickly get the gist of news stories without feeling overwhelmed.
- User-Friendly Interface: The app’s clean and intuitive interface enhances the user experience, making it easy to navigate through news stories. The swipe feature allows users to seamlessly move from one news item to the next.
- Personalization: Inshorts uses machine learning algorithms to personalize news feeds based on user preferences and reading habits, ensuring that users receive content that is relevant to them.
- Wide Range of Topics: Inshorts covers a broad spectrum of topics, including politics, sports, technology, entertainment, and more. This variety ensures that there is something for everyone.
- Effective Marketing: The founders leveraged social media and word-of-mouth marketing to reach a wider audience. The app’s unique concept and user-friendly design helped it gain popularity quickly.
Overcoming Challenges:
Inshorts faced challenges such as maintaining the quality of news summaries, scaling the platform, and competing with established news sources. Azhar Iqubal and his team’s focus on innovation, user experience, and strategic partnerships helped Inshorts overcome these hurdles and become a leading news app in India.
Takeaways for Future Startups:
- Identify and Solve a Problem: Inshorts addressed the problem of information overload by providing concise news summaries. Future entrepreneurs should focus on identifying pain points and creating solutions that simplify life for users.
- Innovate with Content: The 60-word news summary format is a unique innovation that sets Inshorts apart. Startups should think creatively about how they can present their content or services in a way that stands out.
- Focus on User Experience: Inshorts’ user-friendly interface and personalized news feed enhance the user experience. Startups should prioritize creating intuitive and engaging experiences for their users.
- Leverage Technology: Inshorts uses machine learning to personalize news feeds. Startups should explore how technology can enhance their offerings and provide value to users.
- Effective Marketing: Inshorts’ growth was fueled by effective use of social media and word-of-mouth marketing. Startups should leverage digital marketing strategies to build brand awareness and attract users.
