Setup, Operate and Grow Your Media & Creative Business in Saudi Arabia

In 2022, the global digital advertising agency Assembly Global expanded to Saudi Arabia and has since proven to be a key player in this rapidly growing sector in the Kingdom.

In addition to Saudi Arabia, the US-headquartered Assembly Global has a presence in 25 markets in Europe, MENA, North America, and APAC. It employs over 1500 employees operating from its global offices.

The staggering pace with which Saudi Arabia embraces digital transformation goals has brought about a dramatic surge in demand for global expertise and business consulting capabilities of Assembly Global. As a result, the global firm has consistently identified Saudi Arabia as a fast-growing market for its services.

Catapult, the global full-service live experience agency with offices in Dublin, London, New York, and LA, has announced its strategic expansion into Saudi Arabia. The company's entry into the Kingdom is supported by AstroLabs, the Gulf's leading business expansion platform.

Aurora Media Worldwide, a multi-award-winning production house providing content services across live and non-live channels, has just announced its expansion to Saudi Arabia and the opening of its new office, facilitated by AstroLabs, the Gulf’s leading expansion platform.

5dVR, a virtual reality content and production studio, has expanded to Saudi Arabia with AstroLabs, the Gulf’s leading business expansion platform. The move aligns with 5dVR’s mission to enable a wider range of businesses across multiple industries to adopt and make use of augmented reality (AR), mixed reality and virtual reality (VR) technologies.

Incepted in 2016, the Cairo-based company specializes in the creation of immersive experiences and provides bespoke solutions to cater to the unique needs of its clients across a variety of sectors.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

​​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.

​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!

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.