ISLAMABAD: Pakistani education fintech startup EduFi has won LEAP 2025, securing the top spot at an international competition during Saudi Arabia’s four-day tech conference. According to Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV), the startup triumphed over 2,000 competitors and received a $250,000 cash prize.
The LEAP 2025 conference took place from February 9-12 at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center. A key highlight was the Rocket Fuel Pitch Competition, which provided startups with a platform to present groundbreaking ideas to global investors and industry experts.
EduFi won LEAP 2025 by revolutionizing student financing. The fintech platform simplifies the loan process by conducting its own credit evaluations, covering tuition costs for eligible students, and enabling them to repay in monthly installments while studying.
“Aleena Nadeem from Pakistan has won first place and a $250,000 cash prize at the international tech event in Saudi Arabia,” PTV reported. The state-run broadcaster further highlighted that this marks the first time a Pakistani startup has claimed victory in the Rocket Fuel Pitch Competition.
EduFi’s founder and CEO, Aleena Nadeem, accepted the award at the Riyadh ceremony. An MIT graduate with experience at McKinsey, Goldman Sachs, and Ventura Capital, Nadeem has been engaged in education-related initiatives since her high school years. In 2024, Forbes recognized her efforts by including her in the prestigious Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list.
