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Startup

Startup

Fuel Fast, Smart Launches in KSA & UAE

Get set up with our rapid incorporation and compliance stack—perfect for founders who want traction, not red tape.

Accelerate Market Entry with Strategic Alignment

We ensure your setup aligns with local frameworks so you can compete, win, and scale confidently in Saudi

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1800+

Startups Supported

$60B

Raised by Our Network

12

Years in the Region

Solutions Built Around Your Industry

We’ve helped startups in 37+ sectors launch with local speed and scale

Technology & SaaS

Enabled rapid sandbox deployment, licensing, and GTM

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FinTech

Built compliant pilot-friendly operations for payment and lending

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Logistics & Transportation

Scaled delivery and mobility services with minimal setup overhead

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Startup Services

Empowering you to expand your journey

From idea to execution, our team supports your legal, HR, compliance, and expansion needs across KSA and the UAE—so you can focus on traction, product, and growth

Whether you're relocating founders, hiring locally, launching operations, or scaling product-market fit across borders – we’ve done it before, and we’ll do it with you

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Fast-track Setup

Incorporate in under two weeks with ready-to-go license bundles

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White-label Compliance

Ready-made PRO, GRO, and payroll solutions from Day 1

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Desk & Workspace Access

HQ or coworking, arranged on your terms

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Growth Support

Help with funding introductions, pitching, and scaling support

Entity Setup & Localization

Launch in KSA or UAE with speed, flexibility, and founder-friendly support

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Startup-Friendly Legal Structures

Incorporate with free zone setups, lean ownership models, and scalable legal frameworks designed for early-stage companies

Founder-First Setup

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Fast License Filing Without Legal Headaches

We handle permits, name reservations, and license applications—no legal team needed

Zero Legal Lift

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Transparent Sponsor Pairing (If Needed)

When required, we match you with vetted local sponsors—founder control and clarity come first

No Hidden Clauses

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Workspace & Banking Setup Made Simple

Get connected to the right office space and bank partners so you’re investor-ready from day one

Ops-Ready Fast

Fresha

Customer story

Fresha fast-tracked its expansion from the UK to the UAE and Saudi Arabia by capitalizing on AstroLabs’ regional infrastructure, operational support, and launch-ready workspaces

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1,800+

AstroLabs has helped more than 1,800 companies establish legal entities and unlock market access across the Gulf.

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Regulatory Compliance & Licensing for Startups

Stay compliant from day one—with zero legal overhead or surprises as you grow

General Manager Pre-Approval

License & Renewal Management

We track and manage your license validity, renewals, and portal submissions—so you can focus on building

Stay Active, Stay Focused

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Sector-Specific Guidance

Get clarity on niche regulations based on your industry—whether you're in SaaS, e-commerce, media, or healthtech

Built for What You Do

General Manager Pre-Approval

VAT Registration & UBO Filings

We handle the setup and reporting for VAT, ESR, and UBO so you're investor- and audit-ready

Fundraising-Ready Compliance

General Manager Pre-Approval

Cross-Border Compliance for Remote Teams

Launching from abroad or running hybrid teams? We help you stay compliant across locations

Global from the Start

Workforce Enablement & HR Ops

From talent to operations, we scale your foundations without adding internal overhead

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Founding Team Visas & Admissions

We handle visa processing and residency paperwork so your founding team can land and launch fast

Launch-Ready Access

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Payroll & Contract Templates

Use our startup-ready templates for compliant hiring—plus payroll support that grows with your team

Startup-Safe & Simple

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Nationalization Quota Support

Stay ahead of Saudization requirements with clear reporting and strategy that fits your hiring stage

Compliance Without Complexity

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Talent Acceleration & Onboarding

We support your first hires with onboarding guidance, hiring tips, and founder-focused recruitment practices

Hire Fast, Ramp Faster

Not sure where to start?

Concentric Circles

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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.


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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.


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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.


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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