AstroLabs

AstroLabs is a business setup consultant and corporate-services provider headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, with operations in Dubai and Riyadh. Its work is focused on helping international companies enter and operate in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. The company supports market entry through services that include company formation and incorporation, licensing, business services, corporate services, and integration into local business ecosystems. The company was founded by Louis Lebbos and Muhammed Mekki, who were also co-founders of the e-commerce company Namshi.com. AstroLabs launched in March 2013 and is identified as having been founded in 2014. Its early identity was connected to startup and technology ecosystems: it began as a member of the Google for Startups coworking-space network. By 2024, however, it was no longer part of that program. AstroLabs operates physical coworking and private-office facilities in Dubai's Jumeirah Lakes Towers district and in Riyadh. These locations complement its advisory and implementation work by providing companies with a local operating base while they establish a presence in the region. The company's stated direction is to function as an operations-as-a-service provider, taking responsibility for local operational requirements so that clients can concentrate on growth and commercial development. Its service model is therefore broader than a conventional incorporation agent. AstroLabs combines administrative setup, regulatory and licensing assistance, office and workspace provision, and local ecosystem integration. This positioning is particularly relevant to foreign businesses that need practical support navigating the institutional and operational requirements of entering the Saudi and Emirati markets. The name AstroLabs is derived from the astrolabe, a historical navigational instrument used by mariners. The reference reflects the company's market-entry role: helping businesses navigate unfamiliar commercial environments. As described in the available reference material, AstroLabs is led by chief executive officer Roland Daher, with Joe Kobrianos serving as chief strategy officer. Louis Lebbos and Muhammed Mekki remain associated with the company as board members.

AstroLabs emerged in the early 2010s as a company serving entrepreneurs and international businesses seeking to establish themselves in the Gulf. The company launched in March 2013 and is described as having been founded in 2014 by Louis Lebbos and Muhammed Mekki, the co-founders of Namshi.com. Lebbos and Mekki later continued their association with AstroLabs as board members. In its early phase, AstroLabs was connected to the technology-startup ecosystem through membership in the Google for Startups coworking-space network. This affiliation placed the company within a broader international network intended to support startup communities and provide spaces and connections for technology businesses. The company subsequently developed a more focused commercial role centered on helping international firms navigate market entry into the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. By 2024, AstroLabs was no longer part of the Google for Startups program. AstroLabs established operations in Dubai and Riyadh. Its Dubai coworking and private-office facilities are located in Jumeirah Lakes Towers, while its Riyadh presence provides a base for companies entering or expanding in Saudi Arabia. These physical locations form part of a wider service model that combines workspace with incorporation, licensing, corporate administration, and local business support. The company's business proposition is built around reducing the practical complexity of regional expansion. Instead of limiting its role to registering a legal entity, AstroLabs presents itself as a broader market-entry and local-operations partner. Its services cover company formation and incorporation, licensing, business and corporate services, and integration into local ecosystems. The intended clients are international firms that require a functioning local presence while retaining their focus on growth, sales, and long-term strategy. AstroLabs describes its strategic ambition as becoming an operations-as-a-service provider. Under that model, the company can manage or facilitate elements of a client's local operations, allowing the client to avoid building every administrative and operational capability from scratch. This orientation distinguishes AstroLabs from a simple office provider or incorporation intermediary, although the available reference material does not specify the full scope, pricing, or contractual structure of its operations services. The company remains active in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. The available reference identifies Roland Daher as chief executive officer and Joe Kobrianos as chief strategy officer, with founders Louis Lebbos and Muhammed Mekki serving as board members. The AstroLabs name refers to the astrolabe, a historical navigational instrument, reinforcing the brand's stated role in helping companies navigate unfamiliar markets and business systems.

• 2024

  End of Google for Startups network membership

  [1]AstroLabsen.wikipedia.org

  AstroLabs was no longer part of the Google for Startups coworking-space program by 2024.

• 2014

  AstroLabs founded

  [1]AstroLabsen.wikipedia.org

  Louis Lebbos and Muhammed Mekki, co-founders of Namshi.com, founded AstroLabs.

• 2013

  Company launches

  [1]AstroLabsen.wikipedia.org

  AstroLabs launched in March 2013 as a business serving startups and companies seeking support in the Gulf market.

A market-entry and operations partner for international companies establishing a presence in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, combining incorporation, licensing, corporate administration, workspace, and local ecosystem access.

• Business setup service

  Company formation and incorporation

  AstroLabs helps international companies establish local legal entities in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. The service is part of the company's wider market-entry offering and is intended to give overseas firms a structured starting point for regional operations.

• Regulatory service

  Licensing and regulatory setup

  The company provides assistance with business licensing and related setup requirements for companies entering its target markets. The available material does not identify individual license types or government authorities covered by the service.

• Corporate services

  Corporate and business services

  AstroLabs offers ongoing business and corporate support intended to help international firms maintain a functioning local presence after incorporation. The category includes corporate services and administrative assistance, although the reference material does not provide a complete service catalog.

• Workspace

  Coworking and private offices

  AstroLabs operates coworking and private-office spaces in Dubai's Jumeirah Lakes Towers and in Riyadh. These facilities provide companies with a local physical base while they establish or expand their regional operations.

• Market-entry operations

  Operations-as-a-service

  AstroLabs positions its broader model as operations as a service: managing or supporting local operational requirements so clients can focus on growth. The available source describes this as the company's vision but does not enumerate all included activities.

• 2024

  Shift away from Google for Startups affiliationStrategy

  Background

  AstroLabs had previously operated as a member of the Google for Startups coworking-space network.

  Action taken

  By 2024, AstroLabs was no longer participating in the Google for Startups program.

  Aftermath

  The company continued operating its own Dubai and Riyadh locations and focused on market-entry and local-operations services.

  Source

• 2013

  Launch of a startup and market-entry platformStrategy

  Background

  AstroLabs launched in March 2013 amid growing interest from international businesses and startups seeking a base and support in Gulf markets.

  Action taken

  The company established a model combining workspace, business setup, and corporate support.

  Aftermath

  AstroLabs developed into a business focused on helping international companies enter and operate in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

  Source

1. 1AstroLabsen.wikipedia.org