On September 3, 2026, COLABS and Shorooq hosted the COLABS x Shorooq VIP Mixer at COLABS Narjis in Riyadh, bringing together more than 250 founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders from Saudi Arabia and across the wider region.
The event was more than an evening of networking. It was a gathering of people actively contributing to shaping the region, and a reminder of the value of bringing them into the same room.
Saudi Arabia’s next chapter is being shaped by entrepreneurs building companies, investing in new ideas, and creating opportunities across The Kingdom. During LEAP 2026, COLABS and Shorooq brought together many of these voices for an evening focused on conversation, connection, and the future of the region’s technology ecosystem. The gathering provided a space for meaningful conversations around investing, operating, and building companies amid continued regional uncertainty.
Along with the traditional networking, the mixer also created an environment where people exchanged ideas, built relationships, and discovered opportunities for collaboration.
The evening featured keynote speeches from Omar Shah, CEO and Co-Founder of COLABS, and Shane Shin, Founding Partner at Shorooq, who shared their perspectives on Saudi Arabia’s growing startup and investment landscape.
“Bringing people together is particularly important when the operating environment is uncertain, ” said Omar Shah, CEO of COLABS. “Together with Shorooq, we wanted to create a private setting where founders, investors and ecosystem leaders could have candid conversations, strengthen relationships and maintain momentum.”
Shane Shin, Founding Partner at Shorooq, emphasized the importance of building strong relationships during periods of uncertainty
“Periods of uncertainty make long-term partnerships and trusted founder networks even more important, ” said Shane Shin, Founding Partner at Shorooq. “Our relationship with COLABS is grounded in a shared commitment to helping founders build enduring companies and giving them access to the capital, connections and infrastructure they need to grow across the region.”
Their participation reflected the shared vision behind the gathering: building stronger networks around the founders, investors, and companies shaping the region.
For COLABS and Shorooq, supporting this ecosystem goes beyond capital. It also means creating access to trusted networks, local infrastructure, and the relationships that help businesses navigate new markets and continue building for the long term.
As Riyadh’s technology and investment ecosystem continues to evolve, COLABS remains focused on creating spaces where founders, investors, operators, and ecosystem leaders can connect, collaborate, and build what comes next.
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