Pakistani workspace startup COLABS has announced its expansion into Saudi Arabia with a flagship site in Riyadh, marking a significant step in its regional growth strategy. The expansion reflects the growing economic and digital cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and positions COLABS as one of the few Pakistani startups to enter the Kingdom’s dynamic entrepreneurial market.
Omar Shah, CEO and co-founder of COLABS, said that the move into Saudi Arabia represents a defining moment for the company. “Our expansion into Saudi Arabia marks a defining moment for COLABS as we take what we’ve built in Pakistan to one of the most dynamic markets in the region,” he said. The Riyadh site will serve as the company’s flagship location and act as a cornerstone for its broader MENAP (Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan) expansion. Shah added that COLABS aims to bridge ecosystems between the two nations by connecting Saudi corporates and investors with startups and talent from Pakistan and other emerging markets.
The new Riyadh site, currently under development, is expected to open in the coming months and will form the first phase of COLABS’ MENA expansion strategy. As part of this effort, the startup has secured additional investment and formalized a partnership with Waseel Investment. This local collaboration will play a key role in setting up and operating the Riyadh facility. According to Faisal Al Rashed, Director of Investment at Waseel Partners, the partnership represents more than just a financial venture. He noted that it would act as a bridge between two growing ecosystems, enabling greater mobility for Pakistani startups seeking opportunities in Saudi Arabia and helping Saudi entrepreneurs access innovation and talent from Pakistan.
The company’s statement highlighted that Saudi Arabia has rapidly evolved into one of the most active startup markets in the MENA region, attracting over $2 billion in venture capital in 2024 alone and accounting for more than 40 percent of all regional deals. With the coworking market expected to exceed $1 billion by 2025 and increasing demand for flexible workspace solutions, Riyadh provides fertile ground for COLABS’ expansion. The company believes that its community-driven model, which integrates workspace solutions with networking, learning, and collaboration opportunities, aligns well with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals of fostering entrepreneurship and innovation.
Federal Minister for IT & Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja congratulated COLABS on its expansion, emphasizing that such initiatives strengthen cross-border digital cooperation. “Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are deepening their digital ties and both nations are working closely together to streamline cross-border digital investment. COLABS expansion is a clear reflection of the Digital Nation Pakistan vision taking shape beyond our borders,” she said.
COLABS, founded in Lahore in 2019, has built its reputation as more than just a workspace provider. It has developed a robust ecosystem that supports over 5,000 members from 300 companies and 250 partners across 10 active sites in Pakistan. Its platform hosts more than 1,000 events annually and has welcomed over half a million visitors. Startups within its network have collectively raised more than $1 billion in funding, demonstrating the impact of COLABS’ collaborative and innovation-focused approach. The company is backed by prominent regional venture capital firms including Shorooq, Indus Valley Capital, Fatima Gobi Ventures, Zayn VC, Waad Investment, and key angel investors.
By establishing its presence in Riyadh, COLABS aims to create new linkages between Pakistan’s vibrant startup community and Saudi Arabia’s fast-growing innovation economy, advancing regional collaboration and fostering shared opportunities in the years ahead.
Follow the SPIN IDG WhatsApp Channel for updates across the Smart Pakistan Insights Network covering all of Pakistan’s technology ecosystem.
