COLABS launches Riyadh workspace campus backed by leading regional investors

COLABS opens 4,000 sqm Riyadh campus after $8m-plus funding round

COLABS, a Saudi-headquartered community-led workspace platform, has launched a 4,000 square metre campus in northern Riyadh, marking its formal entry into the Kingdom. The Al-Narjis site — branded COLABS Narjis — is designed to host more than 500 members including early-stage startups, scaling companies and enterprise teams. The company has raised more than $8 million to date from regional investors including Shorooq, Waseel Partners, Zayn VC, Indus Valley Capital and Fatima Gobi Ventures, and said the Riyadh opening signals the start of its international expansion across the Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan.

Direct quote

"Saudi Arabia represents a significant long-term market for us," said Omar Shah, CEO of COLABS. "Our focus is on building environments where ambitious companies can work more effectively and where networks strengthen over time."

Context and campus details

The Narjis campus is part of COLABS' strategy to combine thoughtfully designed physical space with curated networks and year‑round programming. The launch event in Riyadh drew more than 300 attendees, including founders, investors, policymakers and creatives, with speakers representing BECO Capital, Shorooq, 500 Global, Sotheby's and Aqar.

• Capacity and facilities: space for 500+ members; event space for more than 200 people; rooftop terrace; podcast studio; 10+ meeting rooms; on-site café; and a daycare facility.
• Programming and community: COLABS said it will run a year-round calendar of programming to foster interaction among founders, investors and operators.
• Creative curation: Through COLABS Creative Collective (CCC), the platform embeds art, design and culture into the workspace experience, highlighting a Saudi–Pakistan cultural connection via partnerships with the Abdul Monem Arts Foundation and Noura Arts and initiatives such as the "Love Across Borders" series by Zahid Mayo and Ola Hejazi.

Faisal AlRashed, Managing Partner at Waseel, framed the investment as part of broader cross-border collaboration: "the partnership reflects deepening economic ties between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan and highlights the potential for greater cross-border collaboration across the region."

Outlook

COLABS said the Riyadh campus expands a network that currently operates more than 500,000 square feet of workspace across more than 10 locations, supporting over 5,000 members and 300 companies. The company aims to become the largest workspace provider for startups and scaleups across the Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan in coming years, leveraging a partner ecosystem of more than 250 organisations including EY, DigitalOcean, Canva, Coca-Cola, Spotify and Endeavor.

With investor backing from Shorooq, Waseel Partners, Zayn VC, Indus Valley Capital and Fatima Gobi Ventures among others, COLABS is positioning the Narjis campus as a hub for entrepreneurship, culture and cross-border exchange as it pursues further regional expansion.