What AstroLabs does

AstroLabs is a Dubai-headquartered business expansion platform founded in 2013 that helps international companies establish and operate in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Its core offering bundles six product lines: Business Setup (MISA licensing in Saudi Arabia, DMCC free-zone setup in the UAE), Compliance and Support (PRO/GRO services, Saudization compliance, government liaison), HR and Payroll Solutions (visa processing, workforce management), Office Solutions (coworking and private offices in Dubai and Riyadh), Innovation Programs (market-entry accelerators, corporate innovation sprints, venture co-creation labs), and Accounting and Tax.

The company operates a hybrid professional services and platform model. Revenue is generated through project-based engagements for entity formation, recurring fees for compliance and payroll, membership and rental income from coworking spaces, and program fees from accelerator and innovation sprints delivered with government and corporate partners. Go-to-market combines direct enterprise sales with a partnership channel including Saudi Awwal Bank, Bank Saudi Fransi, Tamkeen, MCIT, Monsha'at, Meta, Microsoft, DIFC, and KOCCA, which together originate significant deal flow. Customer segments span corporates, SMEs, high-growth businesses, startups, and government entities, with named enterprise logos including UiPath, Virgin Atlantic, Magic Leap, SentinelOne, Checkout.com, Fresha, and Majid Al Futtaim. The company claims 1,800-2,000 cumulative companies supported, 500+ clients served monthly, and a 20,000+ decision-maker network, though revenue is not publicly disclosed. The underlying technology is primarily a client-services platform rather than a software product, and there is no evidence of proprietary AI/ML capabilities.

Name

AstroLabs

Legal name

AstroLabs

Website

https://astrolabs.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

AstroLabs is a Dubai-headquartered business expansion platform founded in 2013 that helps international companies set up, comply, and grow in Saudi Arabia and the UAE through bundled entity formation, PRO/compliance, HR/payroll, office, and innovation program services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Dubai

HQ country

United Arab Emirates

HQ region

Middle East

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Business Setup Services: End-to-end company formation and entity setup services for Saudi Arabia and UAE including licensing, registration, and government compliance support
2. Compliance & Support Services: Ongoing regulatory compliance management, PRO services, corporate GRO services, and Saudization compliance support
3. HR & Payroll Solutions: Workforce setup, visa processing, payroll management, and talent recruitment services
4. Innovation Programs: Corporate innovation sprints, market expansion accelerators, and venture co-creation labs delivered in partnership with corporates and government entities
5. Office Solutions: Coworking spaces, private offices, and serviced office solutions in Dubai and Riyadh

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

AstroLabs provides end-to-end business expansion services for international companies entering Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Its core offering covers company formation and licensing (MISA, DMCC free zone), ongoing regulatory compliance, HR and payroll solutions, office/coworking facilities, and corporate innovation programs. Services are delivered by on-ground specialist teams in Riyadh and Dubai.

Product overview

AstroLabs is a unified business expansion platform offering a comprehensive suite of services for international companies entering Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The platform combines six core product areas: Business Setup (entity formation with MISA/DMCC licensing), Compliance & Support (regulatory management), HR & Payroll Solutions (workforce management with Saudization compliance), Office Solutions (coworking and private offices), Innovation Programs (market entry and corporate innovation accelerators), and Accounting & Tax services. These products operate as an integrated platform where companies can access licensing, government liaison services, workspace, and growth programs through a single partner. Additional modules include Corporate PRO/GRO services, Talent Recruitment, and specialized programs like Corporate Innovation Sprints, Market Expansion Accelerators, and Venture Co-Creation Labs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Business Setup End-to-end company formation and entity setup services in Saudi Arabia (with MISA licensing) and UAE (with DMCC free zone), providing full support for compliance and government requirements for corporates, SMEs, and startups entering the GCC.
• Compliance & Support Ongoing regulatory compliance management, government liaison services, and operational support for businesses operating in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, including PRO/GRO services and Saudization compliance.
• HR & Payroll Solutions Comprehensive human resources and payroll services including visa processing, Saudization compliance, workforce setup, and talent recruitment for companies operating in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
• Office Solutions Flexible workspace offerings including premium offices in Riyadh (Al Malqa), private offices, and coworking spaces in Dubai (JLT) and Riyadh, with national address registration and 24/7 access.
• Innovation Programs Corporate innovation programs and market entry accelerators designed to help companies build local partnerships, navigate regulatory requirements, and accelerate regional expansion across the GCC, including Corporate Innovation Sprints, Market Expansion Accelerators, and Venture Co-Creation Labs.
• Accounting & Tax Corporate accounting and tax services for businesses operating in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, supporting financial compliance and statutory reporting requirements.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,800+ companies successfully expanded across the Gulf region
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and supporting.

• Saudi Awwal Bank (SAB)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026AstroLabs and SAB partnered to launch a streamlined market-entry solution for international firms integrating company setup, ecosystem access, and banking infrastructure. SAB's Chief Innovation Officer Saeed Assiri noted the partnership reaffirms commitment to enhancing and supporting the Kingdom's economic growth.
• Bank Saudi Fransi (BSF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBank Saudi Fransi and AstroLabs partnered on the 'Banker Technologist' program, a digital banking apprenticeship embedding tech-trained juniors into the bank. The program featured 10 participants and resulted in multiple hires, supporting Saudi fintech talent development.
• Tamkeen (Bahrain Labour Fund)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTamkeen's Overseas Expansion Program partnered with AstroLabs to support Bahraini SMEs expand into Saudi Arabia. AstroLabs provided licensing, registration, compliance, and office setup support across Riyadh, Jeddah, and Eastern Province. Two cohorts of 17 companies total were onboarded.
• Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA)strategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerKOCCA Enter MENA Program delivered by AstroLabs helped Korean media, gaming, and entertainment startups enter Saudi Arabia through licensing, events, and curated market access tracks. Program included 25 mentoring sessions, 30 business meetings, and 10 networking events.
• Grant ThorntonstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrant Thornton and AstroLabs provide end-to-end market entry and growth support for foreign companies expanding into Saudi Arabia. Partnership combines AstroLabs' entity setup and regulatory expertise with Grant Thornton's tax, audit, advisory, and local content services.
• MetacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMeta Boost program in partnership with Saudi Ministry of Communications, Monsha'at, and AstroLabs set to enable 20,000 Saudi-based SMEs with digital setup and paid marketing tools. AstroLabs provides local methodology and market-tailored strategies complementing Meta's global tools.
• Majid Al FuttaimcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaunchpad Accelerator Programme in partnership with Microsoft and DIFC Launchpad. Structured innovation program engaging MAF's business units with selected startups driving digital transformation. 14 startups selected out of 196 applications for integration into Majid Al Futtaim ecosystem.
• MicrosoftsupportingTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner in Majid Al Futtaim Launchpad Accelerator Programme, providing startups with access to Microsoft for Startups ecosystem including innovative technologies and go-to-market strategies.
• DIFC LaunchpadsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Majid Al Futtaim Launchpad Accelerator Programme focused on startup enablement and ecosystem development in the MENAP region.
• Saudi Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on Game Changers program, a first-of-its-kind initiative in Saudi Arabia supporting 43 gaming enthusiasts who formed gaming development teams, launched businesses, and graduated with 10 gaming studios and 18 individual games.
• Monsha'at (Saudi SME Authority)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple partnerships including Meta Boost program and Fintech Bootcamp collaboration. Supports SME digitization and growth across Saudi Arabia in alignment with Vision 2030 objectives.
• The Financial AcademysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Fintech Bootcamp bridging public vision and private innovation in Saudi Arabia's growing fintech sector.
• Fintech SaudisupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Fintech Bootcamp initiative supporting Saudi Arabia's fintech sector development and Vision 2030 objectives.
• Lakeba GroupstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustralian fintech innovator partnership supporting Lakeba Group's entry into UAE and facilitating access to UAE's entrepreneurial ecosystem. AstroLabs provides market entry and scalability support for AI and technology innovation in the region.
• DMCCsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerDMCC partnership provides coworking space access in Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai. DMCC hosts networking events at AstroLabs coworking facilities welcoming 200+ companies for knowledge-sharing.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Commitbiz: Middle East business setup and corporate services firm with offices across the GCC including Saudi Arabia. Competes with AstroLabs on cross-border entity formation, licensing, and compliance for foreign companies entering KSA and the wider region.
• Creative Zone: UAE-based business setup and corporate services consultancy offering company formation, PRO services, and licensing across Dubai free zones. Directly competes with AstroLabs on the same UAE entity-formation and compliance workflow for SMEs and corporates entering the GCC.
• Virtuzone: UAE business setup specialist providing company formation, free-zone and mainland licensing, visa processing, and corporate services. Closely overlaps AstroLabs' UAE Business Setup product line and targets the same inbound foreign-company segment.
• Workit: Saudi Arabia-focused coworking and workspace operator headquartered in Riyadh. Directly comparable to AstroLabs' Riyadh coworking and private office footprint, targeting the same Saudi-market entry customer base.
• Bizconsult: UAE business setup consultancy delivering company formation, PRO services, and ongoing corporate compliance. Competes with AstroLabs on UAE market entry for SMEs and mid-market companies, with overlapping service taxonomy and customer profile.

Broad incumbents

• IWG (Regus): World's largest flexible workspace operator (Regus, Spaces, HQ brands) with deep Middle East footprint. Competes on the coworking/office solutions layer of AstroLabs' stack but does not offer integrated setup, licensing, or compliance services.
• EY Middle East: Big 4 professional services firm with extensive GCC presence offering tax, advisory, compliance, and transaction support. Competes with AstroLabs at the enterprise end of the market, particularly on Accounting & Tax and corporate compliance mandates.
• WeWork: Global coworking and flexible-office operator with locations across the Gulf. Overlaps AstroLabs on workspace solutions but lacks the integrated market-entry, licensing, and HR/payroll service layer.
• Servcorp: Global provider of serviced offices, virtual offices, and coworking with established GCC presence. Overlaps with AstroLabs' Office Solutions product but operates at broader scale across multiple markets, with less specialization in market-entry workflows.

Regional players

• Hub71: Abu Dhabi-based global tech ecosystem backed by the Abu Dhabi government, offering startup incentives, workspace, and market-entry support. Serves a similar foreign-tech-company segment as AstroLabs but is geographically anchored in Abu Dhabi rather than Dubai/Riyadh.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/astrolabs
• Xx.com/AstroLabs
• Facebookfacebook.com/astrolabsme

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about AstroLabs