Aleena Nadeem is a Pakistani entrepreneur and fintech innovator, best known as the Founder and CEO of EduFi, a Lahore-based student financing platform helping students access higher education with flexible payment plans. Recognized on Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia, she brings global finance experience and champions education accessibility in Pakistan.
Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia – 2024
Featured – Winner
Recognition: Finance & Venture Capital list — Project: EduFi
Role: Founder & CEO, EduFi (education financing platform)
Rocket Fuel Pitch Competition at LEAP 2025 – 2025
First Prize – Winner
Project: EduFi startup at LEAP 2025 Riyadh
Role: Founder & CEO, EduFi (won over 2,000 competitors and $250,000 cash prize)
Full Name: Aleena Nadeem
Birthplace / Hometown: Lahore, Pakistan.
Background: Aleena grew up with a passion for education and innovation, influenced by her experiences living and studying internationally before returning to Pakistan to build solutions with social impact.
High School: Completed schooling in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia where she excelled in Economics.
Undergraduate: Bachelor’s degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the USA (2012–2016).
Academic Activities: AtMIT, she participated in societies such as Sigma Kappa Sorority and the MIT Undergraduate Economics Association.
Launched EduFi Financial Services (Private) Limited in 2021 — a Lahore-based fintech startup focused on “Study Now, Pay Later” tuition financing that partners with universities and helps students pay their fees in manageable monthly instalments.
EduFi has partnered with over 27 Pakistani colleges and raised significant funding, including a landmark $6.1 million pre-seed round, one of the largest early-stage rounds in Pakistan’s startup history.
Became a judge on Shark Tank Pakistan (Green TV) in September 2024, bringing her entrepreneurial perspective to mainstream audiences.
Her startup EduFi won first prize at the Rocket Fuel Pitch Competition at LEAP 2025 in Riyadh, earning a $250,000 award against global competitors.
Marital Status: Married to Syed Sheheryar Zaman (businessman) since 30 October 2023.
Family Support: Aleena often credits her family for encouraging her academic and entrepreneurial ambitions from an early age.
Aleena Nadeem is active on Instagram where she shares insights on entrepreneurship, education financing, and startup life.
Aleena Nadeem is a Pakistani entrepreneur and founder of EduFi, a fintech startup focused on education finance.
EduFi is a Lahore-based startup that helps students pay university tuition by offering monthly payment plans instead of large upfront fees.
The company operates with the motto “Study Now, Pay Later.”
She graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the USA.
Yes , Aleena worked as an analyst at Goldman Sachs in London and later as an investment principal at Ventura Capital.
She was featured in Forbes Asia’s 30 Under 30 list in the Finance & Venture Capital category in 2024.
Yes , EduFi has partnered with multiple colleges in Pakistan to help students finance their education.
EduFi won first prize at the Rocket Fuel Pitch Competition at LEAP 2025 in Riyadh, earning a $250,000 award.
She appeared as a judge on Shark Tank Pakistan in 2024.
Aleena was motivated to reduce financial barriers for students from families living paycheck-to-paycheck, enabling more equitable access to higher education.
“I have always believed that creativity, passion, and dedication define who I am. The encouragement and support I receive inspire me to keep growing and refining my work. As I take on new projects and explore fresh ideas, I hope to inspire others in my field, but staying true to my vision and values will always remain the foundation of my journey, no matter how far I go.”
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