Karachi, Pakistan — Abhi, Pakistan’s first-ever financial wellness and earned wage access platform, has announced the successful completion of a $17 million Series A funding round, solidifying its position as one of the fastest-growing fintech startups in the region.
Global & Regional Investors Back Abhi
The round was led by international venture capital firm Speedinvest, with participation from Global Ventures, VentureSouq, VEF, Sturgeon Capital, Rallycap, and FJ Labs. Regional VC firms and existing backers, including Fatima Gobi Ventures, Sarmayacar, and i2i Ventures, also joined the round, showcasing strong investor confidence in Abhi’s business model and rapid growth.
Driving Growth & Expanding Services
Proceeds from the funding will be used to:
- Meet surging customer demand
- Expand Abhi’s team and operations (headcount grew from 15 in late 2021 to 48 and continues to rise)
- Strengthen marketing and outreach capabilities
Abhi now works with hundreds of companies across Pakistan, including household names such as Soorty Enterprises, Din Group, Agha Steel, BYCO, and United King. The startup has also partnered with United Bank Limited (UBL) and Bank Alfalah, enabling a stronger financial ecosystem.
In addition to earned wage access, Abhi has expanded into business financing (B2B), addressing the needs of SMEs, which make up nearly 85% of Pakistan’s economy. This expansion significantly broadens Abhi’s commercial opportunity beyond its original target market.
Founder & Investor Perspectives
Omair Ansari, CEO & Co-founder of Abhi, said:
“We are delighted to announce this $17 million Series A round, led by world-class investors. Since our inception in July 2021, we’ve grown exponentially, serving businesses of all sizes while empowering employees with stress-free financial access. This funding will accelerate our growth, help us meet overwhelming demand, and strengthen our B2B and B2C offerings.”
Stefan Klestil, General Partner at Speedinvest, commented:
“Payroll is a key indicator of financial health. Abhi’s seamless payroll integration positions it perfectly to build impactful financial services for both employers and employees. Omair and Ali are driving a movement that could transform millions of lives across MENA and South Asia.”
Sacha Haider, Partner at Global Ventures, added:
“Abhi was our first investment in Pakistan, and we continue to believe in its mission. Earned Wage Access is a powerful financial wellness tool, enabling liquidity and autonomy for workers while driving broader economic impact. The results we see from Abhi today are just the beginning.”
Tackling Financial Stress in Pakistan
Founded in 2021 by Omair Ansari and Ali Ladhubhai, Abhi’s mission is to reduce financial stress by allowing employees to access their earned salaries instantly — interest-free and Shariah-compliant. The platform provides a simple, rapid, and risk-free alternative to credit cards, loans, or slow company-based salary advances.
Employees request salary advances directly via the Abhi app or website, and funds are deposited instantly with repayment automatically deducted in the next payroll cycle. For employers, Abhi’s solution comes at zero cost, without disrupting payroll or cashflow.
Abhi is not just serving large corporates; its solutions are also tailored for SMEs, offering both employee wellness and working capital financing.
