COLABS Unveils 4,000 sqm Workspace Campus in Riyadh, Strengthening Saudi-Pakistani Business Ties
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — COLABS, a community-driven workspace platform based in Saudi Arabia, has officially launched a new 4,000 square meter campus in northern Riyadh. This development signifies COLABS’ entry into the Saudi market amid increasing competition to support the Kingdom’s burgeoning startup and SME sectors.
Investment and Expansion Plans
To date, COLABS has successfully raised over $8 million from a range of investors, including Shorooq, Waseel Partners, Zayn VC, Indus Valley Capital, and Fatima Gobi Ventures. This funding marks the beginning of COLABS’ international expansion, with ambitions to become the largest workspace provider for startups and scaleups across the Middle East, North Africa, and Pakistan in the coming years.
Campus Features and Design
Located in Al-Narjis, the COLABS Narjis campus is designed to accommodate more than 500 members, including early-stage startups and enterprise teams. The facility aims to create work environments that blend thoughtfully designed spaces with curated networks and year-round programming.
The launch event attracted over 300 attendees, comprising founders, investors, policymakers, and members of the creative industries. Notable speakers included representatives from BECO Capital, Shorooq, 500 Global, Sotheby’s, and Aqar.
Omar Shah, CEO of COLABS, emphasized the significance of the Saudi market, stating that the company focuses on building environments conducive to effective work and fostering strong networks over time.
Strengthening Regional Ties
Faisal AlRashed, Managing Partner at Waseel, highlighted the partnership as a reflection of the deepening economic ties between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. He noted the potential for increased cross-border collaboration within the region.
Through its COLABS Creative Collective (CCC) initiative, the platform integrates art, design, and culture into its offerings, showcasing the shared Islamic cultural heritage of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. Collaborations with local partners, such as the Abdul Monem Arts Foundation and Noura Arts, aim to unite artists from both nations through initiatives like the “Love Across Borders” series.
Commitment to Culture and Community
Beyond its focus on entrepreneurship, COLABS is dedicated to promoting culture, art, and music, thereby enhancing the cultural connection between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. The new campus features event space for over 200 people, a rooftop terrace, a podcast studio, and more than 10 meeting rooms. Additional amenities include a daycare facility and an on-site café. COLABS plans to host a year-round calendar of programming to encourage interaction among founders, investors, and operators.
Currently, COLABS operates over 500,000 square feet of workspace across more than 10 locations, supporting over 5,000 members and 300 companies.
About COLABS
COLABS specializes in developing and operating workspace campuses tailored for startups, SMEs, and enterprise teams. The platform combines physical infrastructure with curated communities and programming, backed by regional investors such as Shorooq, Waseel Partners, Fatima Gobi Ventures, and Indus Valley Capital. COLABS collaborates with over 250 partners, including EY, Digital Ocean, Canva, Coca-Cola, Spotify, and Endeavor, to create environments conducive to focused work and consistent progress.
For further information, visit COLABS.
About Waseel Partners
Waseel Partners is a privately owned Saudi investment group with a diverse portfolio across the GCC and the broader Middle East. The firm focuses on various sectors, including capital markets, private equity, venture capital, and acquisitions, with interests in food and beverage, finance, medical, technology, entertainment, hospitality, real estate, and automotive.
For more details, visit Waseel Partners.
About Shorooq
Founded in 2017, Shorooq is a leading alternative investment manager in the MENA region. The firm invests in innovative technology companies, focusing on sectors such as Fintech, Platforms, Software, Gaming, and Web3.0. Shorooq has supported several market-leading disruptors and is committed to being a partner to founders and value investors across the region.
For more information, visit Shorooq.
Contact:
For inquiries, please reach out to pressksa@colabs.sa.
Source: www.zawya.com
For questions and inquiries, please contact: +966 59597 8304.
Published on 2026-04-23 21:09:00 • By the Editorial Desk
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