Pakistani education fintech startup EduFi clinched first place at the Rocket Fuel Pitch Competition during the LEAP 2025 tech conference held in Saudi Arabia. The startup won $250,000, surpassing over 2,000 competitors. The competition, which took place from February 9-12 at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center, provided entrepreneurs with a global platform to showcase innovative ideas to investors and industry leaders.
EduFi simplifies the borrowing process for students by conducting its own credit-vetting and offering loans to cover tuition fees, which are repaid on a monthly basis as students progress through their studies. The startup was recognized for its transformative approach to student financing, winning first prize in a highly competitive field.
Aleena Nadeem, the founder and CEO of EduFi, accepted the award on behalf of the company. Nadeem, an MIT graduate with experience at McKinsey, Goldman Sachs, and Ventura Capital, has been passionate about education since her high school years. She was also featured in Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Asia list in 2024 for her work with EduFi. The victory marks a historic achievement, as it is the first time that a Pakistani startup has won the Rocket Fuel Pitch Competition.
