Nearpeer

Nearpeer, an EdTech firm founded in 2016, operates primarily in Pakistan and the Middle East, aiming to provide affordable and accessible quality education. The company was co-founded by Ammar Ali Ayub (CEO), Shahrukh Swati (COO), and Umair Latif (CTO). The founders' backgrounds are deeply rooted in the educational landscape of Pakistan; Ayub began consulting for universities at age 14, and Swati experienced a diverse range of educational institutions, from low-fee private schools to a top university on a full scholarship, giving them a comprehensive understanding of student challenges. Latif brings a decade of technology industry experience to the team.

The company's journey began with an incubation at the LUMS Center for Entrepreneurship (NIC) in 2015. Nearpeer provides an online learning platform with a wide array of courses for various examinations and certifications, including FSc, MDCAT, ECAT, SAT, CA, ACCA, and CSS. The platform delivers its educational content through video lectures, quizzes, live interactive sessions, and assignments. A key feature is the incorporation of AI, including an AI-powered chatbot for student assistance and tools like an MDCAT score predictor. Students can access content on multiple devices and download materials for offline use.

Nearpeer's business model is structured around course fees, with prices ranging from 2,000 to 15,000 Pakistani Rupees, providing access until the student's exam date. The firm also offers B2B services for educational institutes, with tiered packages (Basic, Professional, Premium) that include features like secure video hosting, a Learning Management System (LMS), and analytics dashboards. The company has secured funding from investors such as SOSV, Orbit Startups, and Capital Factory. Significant milestones include winning 2nd place at Momentum 2017 in Karachi and being selected for the ATX Pak Launch program in Austin, Texas, in 2018.

Keywords: online education, EdTech Pakistan, test preparation, professional certification courses, learning management system, AI in education, accessible learning, Ammar Ali Ayub, Shahrukh Swati, Umair Latif, MDCAT preparation, CSS exam, CA courses, ACCA online, SAT prep, FSc online courses, virtual learning, educational platform, Pakistan startups, SOSV