What Compasses does

Compasses is a privately held B2B media company founded in Dubai in 2007 that publishes a quarterly architecture and interior design magazine targeting architects, interior designers, contractors, developers, and design professionals primarily in the Middle East (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain) with international scope. The platform has produced 44 issues under the compassesworld brand and at least 40% of editorial content is dedicated to projects conceived and realized in MENA countries. Leadership includes Publisher Marco Ferretti, Editor-in-Chief Massimo Imparato (also Dean of Architecture at Canadian University Dubai), and Scientific Director Andrea Pane (Full Professor at University of Naples Federico II).

The product surface spans multiple integrated channels: the core quarterly Compasses Magazine, the exhibition-linked Compasses Plus (C+) light editions, the forthcoming Compasses Engineering & Project Development magazine (first issue 2026), iOS and Android mobile apps (single issue €3.49, annual subscription €9.99), a web portal with article archive, email newsletter, Chat 'n Chill video webseries, project submission platforms, and a call-for-paper academic submission system. The underlying technology stack is a conventional digital publishing platform (WordPress-based web portal, PaperLit mobile app framework, social media distribution) without proprietary AI/ML infrastructure.

Revenue is generated through B2B advertising sales (outsourced to AGICOM Srl in Italy covering ad placements in the magazine, C+ editions, website banners, and newsletter), digital subscriptions and single-issue app purchases via app stores, and ancillary event/exhibition distribution partnerships. Production is handled by e.built Srl (Naples, Italy) for art direction and printing. The company has no disclosed venture capital, private equity, or acquisition history and remains an independently owned publishing house headquartered in Dubai with operational offices in Naples and Rome.

Name

Compasses

Legal name

Compasses Architecture and Design Magazine

Website

https://compassesworld.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Compasses is a privately held B2B media company founded in Dubai in 2007 that publishes a quarterly architecture and interior design magazine and digital platform targeting architects, designers, contractors, and developers primarily across the Middle East and GCC region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architecture & Design Trade Publishing

NAICS

Advertising Agencies (541810)

SIC

Services-Advertising Agencies (7311)

akta.pro primary industry

Creative Concepting & Campaign Development (BPAFAEAD)

Keywords

• Architecture magazine publishing
• Interior design media
• B2b trade publication
• Middle east design
• Digital publishing platform

Headquarters

HQ city

Napoli

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

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. Advertising Sales: Revenue from advertising placements in the quarterly magazine and C+ special editions, including single page ads, double page spreads, advertorial content (Ideas & Trends, Design & Products sections), website banners, and newsletter placements. Sold through AGICOM advertising sales agency.
2. Digital App Subscriptions: Mobile app sales through iOS App Store and Google Play. Single issue purchases at €3.49 or annual subscription (3 issues) at €9.99. Subscription auto-renews unless turned off by user.
3. Magazine Circulation: Quarterly magazine distributed at Middle East exhibitions, conferences, and directly to subscribers. C+ light versions distributed free at event venues.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Compasses is a B2B publishing platform that produces a quarterly architecture and interior design magazine (44+ issues since 2007), distributed in print at major Middle East exhibitions and digitally via mobile apps and the web portal. It also produces event-specific C+ light editions for trade fairs, and is launching Compasses Engineering & Project Development in 2026 focused on civil engineering. Revenue comes from advertising placements sold through AGICOM Srl and paid mobile app subscriptions (€3.49 single issue, €9.99 annual subscription for 3 issues).

Product overview

Compasses is a media platform consisting of multiple interconnected products: Compasses Magazine (quarterly print and digital B2B publication covering architecture and interior design with global and Middle Eastern focus), Compasses Plus/C+ (event-specific lighter publications), Compasses Engineering (engineering-focused magazine launching 2026), Compasses App (iOS/Android mobile app), Video Archive (Chat 'n Chill webseries), Events Calendar, Submit a Project platform, Call for Paper submission system, Articles Archive, and Newsletter service. The platform operates as a unified ecosystem targeting architects, interior designers, consultants, and design professionals primarily in the Middle East region.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Compasses Plus (C+): Light version of Compasses magazine focused on architecture, interior design and urban planning related to major exhibitions and conferences in the Middle East region.
• Compasses Engineering
• Chat 'n Chill

Products and services

• Compasses Magazine Quarterly B2B architecture and interior design magazine featuring projects from the Middle East, Europe, and globally. Contains sections including Editorial, Essays, Focus, Architecture & Plans, Experiences, Materials & Interiors, Academia, Ideas & Trends, Events & Fairs, and Smart Food. 44+ issues published from C1 to C44 since 2007.
• Compasses Plus (C+) Light version of Compasses magazine focused on architecture, interior design, and urban planning related to major exhibitions and conferences in the Middle East region. Published in conjunction with events such as Big 5 Global, Downtown Design, and INDEX Dubai, and distributed free at event venues.
• Compasses Engineering & Project Development Magazine dedicated to illustrating and disseminating the most interesting and innovative engineering projects under construction or recently completed internationally, with primary focus on civil engineering and the Middle East region. First issue arriving in 2026.
• Compasses App Mobile application for iOS and Android devices enabling access to Compasses magazine issues digitally. Single issue priced at €3.49, annual subscription (3 issues) at €9.99. Subscription auto-renews unless turned off by user.

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AGICOM SrlcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAGICOM Srl is the advertising sales agency representing Compasses magazine. Located in Rome/Castelnuovo di Porto, Italy, they handle all advertising sales and communication for the magazine. Contact: Manuela Zuliani (Advertising Sales Manager), Luca Màllamo (Advertising Sales Director).
• AlgedraminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFull-service interior design company in Dubai featured in Compasses magazine for projects such as the Al Mamzar residential palace. Algedra provides end-to-end architectural engineering, interior design, construction, and fit-out services.
• e.built SrlminorOthersItalian company located in Naples that handles printing and production services for Compasses magazine.
• BoobrookminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDesign studio founded by Natacha Bouioukliev and Benjamin Vanopbroeke, featured in Compasses magazine for the Noir Matière penthouse interior design project at Lana Residences in Dubai.
• Oppenheim ArchitectureminorGTM or Marketing PartnerArchitecture firm that designed Desert Rock Resort in Saudi Arabia, featured in Compasses magazine's coverage of major Middle East engineering projects.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Designboom: Online architecture and design magazine covering projects, products, art, and events globally. Comparable as an advertising-supported B2B design media brand targeting the same professional audience, though operating at a larger global scale.
• ArchDaily: World's most-visited architecture website, publishing projects, news, and products for a global architect audience. Comparable as a B2B architecture media platform monetized through advertising and project submissions, though much larger in scale and digital-native.
• Surface Magazine: Print and digital architecture and design magazine covering projects, products, and cultural moments in design. Comparable as an advertising-supported B2B design publication targeting architects, designers, and brands, though with a more North American focus.
• Dezeen: Leading global online architecture and design magazine covering projects, products, and events. Directly comparable as a B2B design media brand targeting architects and designers, though with global reach and digital-first distribution rather than Compasses' MENA-focused print-led model.
• Frame Magazine: B2B magazine and online platform for interior design and architecture, focused on inspiring and informing design professionals. Comparable print + digital publishing model targeting the same architect/designer audience, with similar revenue mix of advertising and subscriptions.
• Architizer: Architecture media platform connecting architects with building products and projects. Comparable as an advertising and content-driven platform serving architects and design professionals, with overlapping audience and GTM approach.
• Azure Magazine: Canadian architecture and design magazine publishing print and digital editions covering projects, products, and trends. Comparable as a quarterly B2B design publication with an advertising and subscription model, though geographically focused on North America.
• Domus: Historic Italian architecture and design magazine founded in 1928, publishing in print and digital. Directly comparable as a B2B architecture/interior design quarterly with Italian editorial roots and international scope, similar to Compasses' Italy-based operations and editorial leadership.
• Middle East Architect: B2B architecture and design publication covering the Middle East region with news, projects, and industry coverage. Direct regional peer to Compasses with similar MENA focus, audience, and event-driven distribution at Big 5 and adjacent exhibitions.

Broad incumbents

• Wallpaper*: Global design, architecture, and lifestyle magazine with print, digital, and events. Comparable as an advertising-driven design media brand, though operating at significantly larger scale with broader lifestyle coverage beyond Compasses' professional B2B focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/compassesworld
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCihnshPV7FWRWNO0m9__YOQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/compassesworld
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/compasses-architecture-design
• Instagraminstagram.com/compassesarchitecturedesign

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries2 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 Compasses