Pakistan’s Study Now, Pay Later (SNPL) digital platform EduFi won first place at an international competition held during the four-day LEAP 2025 tech conference in Saudi Arabia. The startup won $250,000 as cash prize after beating over 2,000 competitors.
The Rocket Fuel Pitch Competition was one of the highlights of the LEAP 2025 international tech conference, held from February 9-12 at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center in Malham.
“Aleena Nadeem from Pakistan has won first place and a cash prize of $250,000 at the International Information Technology Exhibition LEAP held recently in Saudi Arabia,” Pakistani media report. “This is the first time in the history of the Rocket Fuel Pitch International competitions that Pakistan has achieved this honor,” according to the details shared by the Pakistan Embassy in Riyadh.
At the LEAP 2025 tech event, EduFi CEO and founder Aleena Nadeem presented EduFi’s mission and commitment to solving one of Pakistan’s most pressing issues. Her pitch highlighted the transformative impact of EduFi’s services, sharing inspiring stories of students who overcame financial challenges to continue their education.
“This achievement underscores the significant impact EduFi is making in Pakistan and its potential to revolutionize education financing on a global scale,” EduFi said in a statement.
What makes EduFi unique?
Pakistan is facing an education crisis, with over 26 million children—more than one-third of the school-age population (ages 5-16)—currently out of school, according to a report by the Pakistan Alliance for Math and Science (PAMS) titled ‘The Missing Third of Pakistan’.
EduFi, Pakistan’s first digital education financing platform, aims to address this issue directly through its innovative Study Now, Pay Later model, which makes education financing more accessible to students in Pakistan. By offering easy access to loans and partnering with educational institutions, EduFi helps bridge the gap, giving more students the opportunity to pursue higher education. The platform handles credit vetting and pays tuition fees for approved students, who then repay the loans monthly during their studies.
Founded by Aleena Nadeem, an MIT graduate and former investment banker, EduFi has secured significant backing from Y Combinator and prominent investors in Pakistan. Nadeem, who was recently recognized in Forbes Asia’s 30 Under 30, created EduFi to address the barriers to higher education in Pakistan, where many families struggle with upfront college fees.
EduFi’s innovative “Study Now, Pay Later” model partners with education providers across the country to give students easier access to finance as they enroll. The platform is set to expand its reach, with plans to extend its services to the broader Pakistani college system through government agreements.
Rocket Fuel Pitch Competition at LEAP 2025
The grand finale of the Rocket Fuel Pitch Competition saw 12 exceptional startups, selected from a pool of 2,000 applicants, competing for a share of the $1,000,000 prize pool. The competition is sponsored by Saudi Arabia’s National Technology Development Program (NTDP).
The judges of the finale were Ahmed El Alfi, Founder & Chairman at Sawari Ventures; Vusi Thembekwayo, CEO of MyGrowthFund Venture Partners; Lateefa Alwaalan, Managing Director of Endeavour Saudi; Connie Chan, Board Partner at Andreessen Horowitz, and world-renowned Pitch Coach David Beckett.
Rocket Fuel Winners:
- The LEAP Award ($250k) was awarded to Edufi, the most outstanding startup in the competition.
- The Shooting Star Award ($150k) was presented to Lisan AI, an emerging early-stage startup with great promise.
- The Scaling Star Award ($150k) was given to Brelyon, a growth-stage startup showing significant potential for rapid expansion.
- The Tech for Humanity Award ($150k) was earned by Daleela, a startup focused on creating a positive societal impact and driving sustainability.
- The Into New Worlds Award ($150k) was awarded to Nano Palm, a startup poised to revolutionize industries with its groundbreaking technology.
- The LEAP Landing Award ($150k) was granted to Voxcell, a high-growth non-Saudi startup with strong potential to succeed in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
These six winners emerged from a competitive field of 2,000 startups, each demonstrating exceptional innovation, drive, and vision.
