Pakistani workspace startup Colabs has announced its expansion to Saudi Arabia with a flagship site in Riyadh, marking a major milestone in the company’s journey to connect regional innovation ecosystems under its MENAP growth strategy.
“This expansion 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 of Colabs. “Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 has created incredible momentum for innovation and entrepreneurship. We see Riyadh as the natural starting point for our MENA journey, a hub where we can bridge ecosystems, connect founders, and build communities that bring both nations together.”
According to the company, the Riyadh site — currently under development, will serve as its flagship location in the Kingdom and the anchor for MENAP expansion. The initiative is designed to connect Saudi capital and corporations with startups and talent from Pakistan and other emerging markets, reflecting the increasing economic collaboration between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
As part of the expansion, Colabs has secured additional investment and formalized a local partnership with Waseel Investment, which will play a key role in establishing operations in Riyadh. The partnership follows Colabs’ earlier funding round in October 2024, led by Shorooq Partners and Waad VC.
“This collaboration represents more than an investment; it’s a bridge between two thriving ecosystems,” said Faisal Al Rashed, Director of Investment at Waseel Partners. “Together, we’ll bring more Pakistani startups and businesses to Saudi Arabia, and open doors for Saudi entrepreneurs seeking to connect with innovation across Pakistan.”
Saudi Arabia has rapidly emerged as the fastest-growing startup ecosystem in MENA, attracting over $2 billion in venture funding in 2024 and accounting for more than 40 percent of all regional deals. With the coworking market projected to surpass $1 billion by 2025, Riyadh provides a strong foundation for Colabs’ next phase of regional growth.
Federal Minister for IT & Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, congratulated Colabs on the milestone, calling the move a “reflection of the Digital Nation Pakistan vision taking shape beyond borders.” She emphasized that both nations are working to streamline cross-border digital investments and strengthen innovation linkages between the two economies.
Since its founding in Lahore in 2019, Colabs has evolved beyond being a coworking provider, positioning itself as a community-driven innovation platform. The company supports entrepreneurs and creators through initiatives such as the Colabs Creative Collective and its Artist-in-Residence program, fostering collaboration across sectors.
Colabs today serves over 5,000 members from 300 companies and 250 partners across 10 active sites in Pakistan. Startups within its network have collectively raised over $1 billion in capital, and the platform hosts more than 1,000 events annually, welcoming half a million visitors each year.
The startup’s investor network includes leading regional and local venture capital firms such as Shorooq Partners, Indus Valley Capital, Fatima Gobi Ventures, Zayn VC, Waad Investment, and several key angel investors.
By entering the Saudi market, Colabs aims to cement its role as a bridge between South Asia and the Middle East’s innovation economies, helping founders, investors, and creative professionals collaborate across borders and build the foundation for a more interconnected regional startup ecosystem.
Follow the SPIN IDG WhatsApp Channel for updates across the Smart Pakistan Insights Network covering all of Pakistan’s technology ecosystem.