From Purpose to Payouts?” – My Question to Azhar Iqubal at 21by72

My Question to Azhar Iqubal at 21by72

At the recent 21by72 Startup Summit, I had the opportunity to ask a question to , Azhar Iqubal, Co-founder & CEO of Inshorts 

🗣 My question:

“Earlier, startup founders aimed to build long-term, impactful ventures that contributed to society and set examples. But today, many founders seem focused on valuations and exits. What do you make of this shift in mindset?”

💬 Azhar’s honest and practical response was:

“There’s nothing wrong with that. Everyone works for money. If you get a good valuation, why wouldn’t you take it?”

While I respect that view — and yes, financial returns do matter — I still feel differently.

What concerns me is the short-termism that has crept into the startup space.

Many aspiring founders today are drawn to the idea of quick exits, viral growth, and easy funding. But once reality sets in — the late nights, failed experiments, and constant uncertainty — they lose steam.

This, I believe, is one of the reasons why 90% of startups fail.

Building a startup isn’t a shortcut to success. It’s a long game — and we need more founders who are in it not just to flip, but to build, sustain, and create real value.

Would love to hear your take:

👉 Has the mindset around startups shifted too much toward short-term wins?

👉 Can we strike a balance between purpose and profit?