COLABS, a Saudi-headquartered community-led workspace platform backed by regional investors, has launched a 4,000 sqm campus in northern Riyadh, marking its entry into Saudi Arabia as competition grows to serve the Kingdom’s expanding startup and SME sector.
COLABS has raised more than USD 8 million to date from investors including Shorooq, Waseel Partners, Zayn VC, Indus Valley Capital, Fatima Gobi Ventures, and other regional backers. This marks the beginning of COLABS international expansion. The company aims to become the largest workspace provider for startups and scaleups in the Middle East, North Africa & Pakistan, over the next few years.
Located inย Al-Narjis, COLABS Narjis is designed to accommodate more than 500 members, including early-stage startups, scaling companies, and enterprise teams. The campus forms part of the company’s broader strategy to create work environments that combine thoughtfully designed space, curated networks, and year-round programming.
The launch event drew more than 300 attendees, including founders, investors, policymakers, and members of the creative industries. Speakers included representatives fromย BECO Capital, Shorooq, 500 Global, Sotheby’s, and Aqar.
“Saudi Arabia represents a significant long-term market for us,” saidย Omar Shah, CEO of COLABS. “Our focus is on building environments where ambitious companies can work more effectively and where networks strengthen over time.”
Faisal AlRashed, Managing Partner at Waseel, said “the partnership reflects deepening economic ties between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan and highlights the potential for greater cross-border collaboration across the region.”
Through their curatorial initiative, COLABS Creative Collective (CCC), art, design, and culture are embedded into the COLABS experience, reflecting the shared SaudiโPakistan Islamic cultural heritage. With local partners such as the Abdul Monem Arts Foundation and Noura Arts, the platform brings together artists from both countries through initiatives like theย “Love Across Borders”ย series by Zahid Mayo and Ola Hejazi, alongside engagements across Lahore and Jeddah. Beyond entrepreneurship, COLABS is committed to promoting culture, art, and musicโdeepening the cultural connection between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.
The campus includes event space for more than 200 people, a rooftop terrace, a podcast studio, and more than 10 meeting rooms, alongside amenities such as a daycare facility and on-site cafรฉ.ย COLABS said it will also run a year-round calendar of programming designed to foster interaction among founders, investors, and operators. COLABS currently operates more than 500,000 square feet of workspace across more than 10 locations, supporting over 5,000 members and 300 companies
