After defeating more than 2,000 opponents, Pakistani education fintech firm EduFi won $250,000 in cash prizes at an international competition conducted recently during the four-day LEAP 2025 tech conference in Saudi Arabia, according to a media report on Thursday.
From February 9–12, the worldwide technology conference took place in the Riyadh worldwide Convention and Exhibition Centre in Malham.
One of the conference’s highlights was the Rocket Fuel Pitch Competition for startups, which gives business owners a chance to present their creative concepts to a global audience of investors and business executives.
EduFi helps students pay for their education by streamlining the borrowing procedure. After doing its own credit check, it covers tuition for accepted students who make monthly loan repayments while they are enrolled in classes. Last week, it took first place in the Rocket Fuel Pitch Competition.
According to a report by Pakistan Television (PTV), Aleena Nadeem of Pakistan took first place and received a $250,000 cash prize at the International Information Technology Exhibition leap that was recently held in Saudi Arabia.
According to the state-run media, EduFi defeated 2,000 opponents to take first place, marking the first time Pakistan has ever received this honour in the history of the Rocket Fuel Pitch International Championships.
Aleena Nadeem, the founder and CEO of EduFi, accepted the award during the ceremony last week in Riyadh. According to Forbes, Nadeem, an MIT alumnus who interned at McKinsey while in college and later worked for Goldman Sachs and Ventura Capital in London, has been active in education issues since high school.
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Her efforts with EduFi earned her a spot on Forbes’ 2024 30 Under 30 Asia list.
- ABOUT EduFi
EduFi is an innovative fintech startup from Pakistan that focuses on making education more accessible through its Study Now, Pay Later (SNPL) platform1. Here are some key details about the startup:
- Mission:
EduFi aims to improve access to quality education in Pakistan by providing financial solutions that help students and their families manage the costs of private schooling.
- Services:
The platform offers a range of financial products, including subsidized SNPL services, which allow students to finance their education and pay back the amount in manageable installments.
- Impact:
EduFi has partnered with numerous educational and financial institutions to support over 120,000 students across Pakistan. They also focus on addressing the needs of out-of-school children and their families.
- Technology:
EduFi leverages technology to streamline the borrowing process, making it easier for students to apply for and receive financial aid.
The startup’s success at the LEAP 2025 tech conference in Riyadh highlights its potential to make a significant impact on education in Pakistan and beyond