COLABS, the Saudi-headquartered workspace platform, has officially launched a 4,000 sqm campus in northern Riyadh, marking its expansion into the Kingdom. The move targets the increasing demand from startups and SMEs in Saudi Arabia, backed by a roster of prominent regional investors.
Quick Facts
- New 4,000 sqm campus in Al-Narjis, Riyadh.
- Backed by over $8 million in total funding.
- Designed to accommodate more than 500 members.
A Strategic Entry into Saudi’s Startup Hub
The new Riyadh campus, COLABS Narjis, is part of the company’s broader plan to become a major workspace provider for startups and scaleups across the Middle East, North Africa, and Pakistan. The company has raised more than $8 million from investors including Shorooq, Waseel Partners, Zayn VC, Indus Valley Capital, and Fatima Gobi Ventures.
The launch event attracted over 300 attendees, featuring founders, investors, and policymakers, with speakers from firms like BECO Capital, Shorooq, and 500 Global.
“Saudi Arabia represents a significant long-term market for us,” said Omar Shah, CEO of COLABS. “Our focus is on building environments where ambitious companies can work more effectively and where networks strengthen over time.”
Bridging Saudi and Pakistani Ecosystems
This expansion is also framed as a move to strengthen economic ties between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. COLABS aims to help companies from both regions launch, scale, and operate through its business support platform.
Faisal AlRashed, Managing Partner at Waseel, noted that “the partnership reflects deepening economic ties between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan and highlights the potential for greater cross-border collaboration across the region.”
Through its curatorial arm, COLABS Creative Collective (CCC), the platform integrates art and design into its spaces to reflect shared Saudi–Pakistan Islamic cultural heritage. It collaborates with local partners like the Abdul Monem Arts Foundation and Noura Arts on initiatives that bring together artists from both nations.
More Than a Workspace
The Al-Narjis campus is equipped with an event space for over 200 people, a rooftop terrace, a podcast studio, more than 10 meeting rooms, a daycare facility, and an on-site café. COLABS plans a year-round calendar of events designed to connect founders, investors, and operators within its community.
The company currently operates over 500,000 square feet of workspace across more than 10 locations, supporting a community of over 5,000 members and 300 companies.
About COLABS
COLABS develops and operates workspace campuses designed for startups, SMEs, and enterprise teams, combining physical infrastructure with curated communities and programming. It is supported by regional investors including Shorooq, Waseel Partners, Fatima Gobi Ventures, and Indus Valley Capital. Through its campuses, COLABS brings together founders, operators, investors, and creatives into environments designed for focused work and consistent progress.
Source: Zawya
