In a move that underscores the rising connectivity between South Asia and the Gulf, COLABS, Pakistan’s leading co-working and business enablement platform, has officially announced its expansion into Saudi Arabia, marking its Gulf debut through a partnership with Waseel Investment and backing from regional VC firm Shorooq Partners.
Bridging Innovation Between Pakistan and the Gulf
Founded in Lahore, COLABS has been instrumental in shaping Pakistan’s startup and freelance economy by providing flexible workspaces, business support, and community programs for founders and SMEs. Its entry into Riyadh signals more than geographic expansion — it represents a bridge between Pakistan’s fast-growing entrepreneurial talent and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030-driven ecosystem transformation.
Through its Saudi operations, COLABS aims to help international startups and creative companies launch, scale, and operate in the Kingdom, leveraging its platform to navigate regulatory frameworks, build local partnerships, and find the right talent and workspace solutions.
According to COLABS, the expansion was designed to support Saudi Arabia’s creative and digital economy goals, aligning with the government’s emphasis on entrepreneurship, innovation, and SME growth as pillars of economic diversification.
Why This Expansion Matters
The COLABS–Waseel partnership highlights a broader trend: the GCC is emerging as the natural next step for South Asian startups seeking regional scale.
For founders, it signals that cross-border expansion is no longer limited to Western markets — the Gulf now offers a vibrant, capital-rich, and increasingly innovation-oriented destination. For policymakers, it validates efforts to make Saudi Arabia a magnet for regional entrepreneurship through reforms, funding programs, and infrastructure for startups.
Most importantly, this move shows that the MENA startup map is expanding eastward — building a corridor that connects Pakistan, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia in a shared innovation loop.
Lessons for Startups Eyeing Cross-Border Expansion
For other startups considering a Gulf market entry, COLABS offers a valuable playbook:
- Partner locally before you land. COLABS’ partnership with Waseel ensured immediate access to local networks, regulatory insight, and real estate infrastructure — crucial to avoid early friction.
- Align with national priorities. Expanding into Saudi Arabia under the Vision 2030 framework gives startups like COLABS a strategic advantage, as they contribute to key national goals around entrepreneurship and employment.
- Think ecosystem, not just office space. COLABS built its brand around community and collaboration — bringing that same model to Saudi Arabia means exporting a cultural value, not just a business service.
The Bigger Picture: Regional Ecosystem Convergence
The South Asia ↔ GCC startup corridor is gaining momentum. From Pakistan’s fintechs exploring Bahrain’s regulatory sandbox to Gulf investors backing Karachi-based tech ventures, the regional startup economy is becoming more connected, collaborative, and capital-efficient.
As Saudi Arabia continues to open its economy to innovation and foreign entrepreneurship, stories like COLABS will become more common — and more influential in shaping the region’s identity as one of the world’s fastest-growing innovation belts.
For founders, the message is clear: the next big opportunity may not be across the Atlantic — it might be just across the Gulf.
