Pakistani edtech startup scores largest pre-seed funding

A Pakistani edtech startup named Maqsad has raised $2.1 million in a pre-seed funding round managed by Indus Valley Capital but also took part in Alter Global, Fatima Gobi Ventures, and several startup initiators from Pakistan and middle-east.

The aim of the application is to launch a mobile-only platform to additional education support to “100 million” Pakistani students, says a press release issued by the company.

Maqsad is a creative idea devised by childhood friends Taha Ahmed and Rooshan Aziz, which aims to impart content Urdu and English content that will cater high-quality localized educational material.

The application will be augmented by quizzes and other gaming features that will combine to provide a tailored learning experience, the company says.

According to the two founders, the aim of the application is more than just getting students pass their exam; in fact, it is to revolutionize the learning system in Pakistan, “moving from rote memorization to place of real comprehension.”

According to Rooshan, the idea was proposed during early days of pandemic which led them to run a pilot. He said that the feedback was promising and the potential for the niche market became very clear.

Maqsad team says that the strategy is to nurture a high-growth environment which brings forward the talented students to grow a world class product.

The founders have said that the application Maqsad will be lauched later this year.