3 min read
Pakistan based flexible workspace platform COLABS has officially announced its expansion into Saudi Arabia, marking a major milestone for the firm’s regional ambitions. The company confirmed its first Saudi location will be in Riyadh, backed by local partner Waseel Investment and venture backer Shorooq Partners.
Founded in Lahore, COLABS has since grown into one of Pakistan’s largest workspace and community building platforms, supporting over 5,000 members and more than 200 companies across its venues.
Strategic Partnerships Anchor the Move
COLABS’ Saudi push is anchored in two major partnership themes. First, its backing by Shorooq Partners signals investor confidence in the firm’s model and regional potential.
“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,” said Omar Shah, CEO and co-founder.
“This collaboration represents more than an investment; it’s a bridge between two thriving ecosystems. Together, we’ll help bring more Pakistani startups and businesses to Saudi Arabia, and open doors for Saudi entrepreneurs looking to connect with talent and innovation across Pakistan,” stated Faisal Al Rashed, Director of Investment, Waseel Partners.
This approach aligns neatly with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which emphasises entrepreneurship, startup ecosystems and foreign investment.
Expansion Into Saudi Arabia
The move into Saudi Arabia reflects a calculated strategic upgrade. The Kingdom commands one of the fastest growing startup ecosystems in the region and is spending heavily to boost non oil sectors through innovation hubs, coworking, and digital infrastructure.
For COLABS, the Saudi expansion offers a market with higher purchasing power, deeper pools of capital and a regulatory environment receptive to growth stage startups. It also creates a dual gateway: Pakistani talent and freelancers gain access to Saudi opportunities, while Saudi companies may tap into Pakistani talent and costs.
Business Model and Enabling Growth
COLABS’ core model centres on offering flexible workspaces, private offices, enterprise suites and event venues, all wrapped in a community building ecosystem. In Pakistan, the firm has already struck partnerships with global names like Google Cloud, AWS and Spotify to create tech led coworking hubs and startup accelerators.
By replicating this infrastructure in Riyadh, COLABS intends to serve multinational firms setting up in Saudi Arabia, as well as local startups and freelancers looking for managed workspaces. The Saudi facility is expected to launch in the coming months.
Challenges and Considerations
Despite the promise, several challenges lie ahead. The regional coworking market is increasingly competitive, with established global players such as AstroLabs already operating across the Gulf region.
Moreover, adapting to Saudi business norms, licensing regimes and cultural dynamics will require localised strategies and strong execution. COLABS will also need to sustain its Pakistan founded growth momentum into a more demanding market environment.
The Takeaway
If executed well, the Riyadh launch could make COLABS one of the first Pakistan founded workspace platforms to operate at a truly international scale. For Pakistani entrepreneurs, freelancers and tech firms, it signals fresh avenues for cross border collaboration and growth.
For stakeholders across the region, it is the kind of startup move that underscores the interconnectedness of the MENA and South Asian innovation spaces and the rising ambition of Pakistan’s tech ecosystem.
