AstroLabs Logo

Enter the Saudi & UAE Markets With Confidence

Our market entry and ecosystem programs help international companies, investors, and governments land, launch, and scale in the Gulf—with deep regional know-how and unmatched execution support

header alt

Why Global Organizations Trust Us With Market Entry

On-the-Ground Expertise

Years of experience in the Gulf’s regulatory, business, and cultural landscape

Full Soft-Landing Support

From licensing and setup to talent and growth—handled by one local partner

Access to Ecosystems

Plug into curated networks of startups, investors, government stakeholders, and corporates

Designed for Scale

We don’t just land you—we help you build for long-term regional success

Your 30–90 Day Market Entry Journey

Whether you're launching directly or through an ecosystem partnership, here's what the path typically looks like:

Step 1

Strategic Assessment & Localization Blueprint

1-2 weeks

We assess your global expansion goals, regulatory landscape, and Saudi market fit—then design a localized entry strategy aligned with national priorities and sector opportunities

Market Strategy First
Step 2

Entity Setup & Market Activation

2-4 weeks

We handle end-to-end legal setup including MISA licensing, CR registration, MoCs, and office provisioning—positioning you for full operational activation and go-to-market execution

Fast-Track Legal Launch
Step 3

Talent, Growth & Ecosystem Support

Ongoing

We support hiring, onboarding, business development, and plug you into Saudi’s innovation ecosystem—connecting you with local partners, regulators, and commercial leads

Grow with Local Support
Step 4

Programmatic Scale-Up

Custom per engagement

Launch innovation initiatives such as accelerators, PoC programs, or sandbox pilots to build long-term presence, policy influence, and impact in the Saudi innovation economy

Optional Innovation Layer

Ready to Launch or Grow in the Gulf?

Whether you're expanding into Saudi Arabia or scaling in the UAE, we’re your first and best local partner

Concentric Circles

What’s Included in Your Expansion Program

Tailored for fast-moving companies and ecosystem builders entering Saudi or UAE

Company Registration & Licensing

Handle the full regulatory process—without the red tape.

Ecosystem Mapping & Entry Strategy

Identify your growth channels, partnership opportunities, and local fit.

Soft-Landing Infrastructure

Physical or virtual office space, HR setup, PRO services, and cultural onboarding.

Talent & Localization Support

Recruitment advisory, onboarding, and local team integration.

Program Design for Ecosystem Builders

For govs or corporates launching local accelerators or startup initiatives

AstroLabs was Wa'ed's suggestion as the go-to-market entry partner in KSA. The team at AstroLabs had in-depth knowledge about the Kingdom's procedures and the newly issued laws and enabled a very efficient and effective expansion for us.

Michael de Lagarde - CEO - Alteia

Michael de Lagarde

CEO

Michael de Lagarde - CEO - Alteia

We were attracted by the team’s turnkey solution and how helpful they were. The team has been nothing short of wonderful. Not only were they exceptionally professional, responsive and thorough, but they consistently went above and beyond to help us, particularly during COVID. I am so impressed.

Michael de Lagarde

CEO

Michael de Lagarde - CEO - Alteia

AstroLabs is proactive and highly responsive, they drive tasks and take ownership over the process. As a Saudi market entry partner, they facilitated and supported our company towards achieving our goals of establishing our entity in KSA and beyond.

Michael de Lagarde

CEO

Michael de Lagarde - CEO - Alteia

We had a unique experience with AstroLabs, we engaged with them a long time ago because Saudi has always been our target market, Faloos was built for the Saudi market and we wanted local support. We understood the value of having people on the ground, and knew the people that would help move us forward with our process.

Michael de Lagarde

CEO

Michael de Lagarde - CEO - Alteia

AstroLabs provided invaluable support in our strategic entry into Saudi, which is one of the largest markets in MENA. PRO work can look complicated, but with the help of their on-ground specialists, AstroLabs made our whole expansion journey quick and efficient. They simplified the process remarkably.

Jason Wilson

Michael de Lagarde

CEO

Michael de Lagarde - CEO - Alteia

AstroLabs are the perfect partners to launch your business in Saudi. They set-up our company and got us the needed residency for our team. They understood our priorities and made sure that the job was done on time. We highly recommend them.

image

Michael de Lagarde

CEO

Michael de Lagarde - CEO - Alteia

I would recommend any company that is looking to expand to Saudi to find a local market entry partner like AstroLabs who can identify the needs from the authorities and use their local know-how to fast-track the process of expansion for businesses.

Michael de Lagarde

CEO

Michael de Lagarde - CEO - Alteia

I want to praise the excellent work AstroLabs did in issuing my Iqama and finalizing the rest of the company setup in the Kingdom. I know how tedious the process is but with the AstroLabs know-how, patience, agility, and connections within the ecosystem.

Michael de Lagarde

CEO

Michael de Lagarde - CEO - Alteia

Insights & Resources

Stay updated with the latest market trends and business insights

Read more insights

Reports

February 24, 2025

First Business Success Index Reveals Factors for Thriving in Saudi Arabia

The updated 2025 report draws on 1,200+ international companies to introduce the first Saudi Success Index, identifying localization, compliance, and market integration as top success drivers, while urgency to enter increased by 33% YoY.

Read more
image

Reports

February 7, 2024

Business Expansion Activity Across Saudi Arabia Sees 4X Increase Since 2018

The 2023 Saudi Market Entry Report analyzed responses from 660 high-growth firms, revealing a fourfold acceleration in market entry timelines (from 8–12 months down to ~2 months), and that 91% of entrants hire local talent within 4 months.

Read more
image

Reports

November 25, 2024

Saudi Construction Sector Guidebook: 30+ Regulations, Licenses & Key Stakeholders Mapped

AstroLabs releases the first comprehensive guide to Saudi Arabia’s construction sector, outlining over 30 regulatory requirements, licensing steps, and key public and private stakeholders. Designed for local and international players, this guide simplifies entry into one of the Kingdom’s fastest-growing industries and aligns with Vision 2030 development priorities.

Read more

Reports

8 Years of Record Growth: AstroLabs Launches Sector Guidebook on Saudi Tourism to Explore Untapped Opportunities

The guidebook, titled “Inside the Kingdom’s Tourism Draw,” offers a nuanced understanding of the immense potential of tourism to foster economic growth and drive the Kingdom’s diversification, detailing how the sector has fared over the past years.

Read more

News & Media

Smartlox Expands to Saudi Arabia with AstroLabs to Redefine Industrial Safety & Asset Protection

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – April 1, 2026: Smartlox, an Australia-based leader in hardware-enabled digital safety technology, has announced its strategic expansion into Saudi Arabia with support from AstroLabs.

The move positions Smartlox to serve the Kingdom's rapidly expanding industrial and infrastructure sectors with next-generation safety and access control solutions.

image

News & Media

June 16, 2025

UK’s NayaOne Enters Saudi Market with AstroLabs

Announcement of the first fully Saudi‑hosted NayaOne platform, accelerating fintech sandbox deployments in weeks and reinforcing UK–Saudi digital collaboration.

Read more
image

News & Media

June 26, 2025

Italy’s PRONUR Enters Saudi Arabia with AstroLabs

PRONUR, a renewable energy engineering firm, enters KSA with AstroLabs support—aligning with Vision 2030’s energy diversification and sustainability targets.

Read more
image

News & Media

May 26, 2025

AstroLabs and SAB Accelerate Expansion Opportunities in Saudi

AstroLabs partners with Saudi Awwal Bank to offer integrated market entry support—including licensing, financing, and compliance—aimed at fast-growing international companies.

Read more
image

Guides

December 15, 2024

How to Get a Foreign Investment (MISA) License in Saudi Arabia

A clear walkthrough of obtaining foreign investment licenses—covering license types, entity structures, required documentation, and application processes.

Read more

Guides

Comparison Between Branch Office and Subsidiary (LLC) in Saudi Arabia

Selecting the right business structure, whether a subsidiary or a branch office, is one of the initial steps towards setting up a business in Saudi Arabia. This guide will help you navigate the processes and requirements for each type.

Read more

Guides

Saudi Arabia Business Setup: Key Saudization Updates in 2026

Compliance with Saudization requirements is a non-negligible aspect of a complete business setup and company registration in Saudi Arabia.

This compliance places foreign companies on a path towards sustainable financial growth, making them uniquely positioned to bid on governmental projects and gain access to financial support and incentives for training programs.

Read more

Guides

How Can Foreign Companies Achieve a Successful Launch and Operational Readiness in Saudi Arabia?

As exciting as it is to expand into Saudi Arabia, many companies can be unaware of the regulatory matters necessary to get their operations off the ground. While market entry remains the primary focus, if a company is unprepared for change, it risks falling behind due to poor operational readiness.


Read more

Guides

The Saudi Hiring Playbook: Q&A on Compliance and Workforce Setup

We’ve prepared this guide to answer key questions around hiring and employment compliance in Saudi Arabia, helping businesses new to the market navigate regulatory requirements, manage risk, and establish operations compliantly from day one.


Read more

Guides

Saudi Arabia Business Setup 2026: Myths vs. Realities

Drawing on our experience working with over 900 firms that have already set up a business in Saudi Arabia, we address the most common misconceptions about company formation, highlighting the gap between widespread assumptions and the realities of doing business in the Kingdom.


Read more

Webinars

January 21, 2026

Expanding to Saudi Arabia: Licenses, Launch Strategies & Cost Breakdown

​​Join us for an insightful session as we explore what it takes to launch and expand your business in Saudi Arabia.
We’ll cover licenses, legal requirements, key regulations, and setup costs - giving you a practical roadmap to navigate the Saudi landscape.

​​Don't miss this chance to get expert tips on budgeting, planning, and making informed decisions for a smooth expansion.

Register now

Webinars

November 12, 2025

Saudi Business Expansion: 2025 Recap and What’s Ahead in 2026

​Get ready to unlock the Saudi market! Join us as we dive into the biggest trends, opportunities, and lessons from 2025, and explore what’s on the horizon for 2026. Our experts will share insider tips on market entry, winning strategies, and building a strong local presence.

​Whether you’re planning to expand to Saudi Arabia or aiming to grow your existing footprint, this webinar will give you actionable insights to stay ahead. Stick around for the live Q&A to get your burning questions answered and take your expansion plans to the next level!

Register here

Webinars

October 29, 2025

Saudi Business Registration: Advantages of Having a Local Entity

Join our bite-sized webinar, featuring a fireside chat with two of our experts as they explore the benefits of establishing a local entity in Saudi Arabia. Learn why having a local presence is crucial for winning contracts, attracting clients, and building a strong regional network.

Register here