Spotlight: Foreign Companies Fast-Track Expansion and Business Setup in Saudi Arabia

Global firms fast-track expansion in Saudi Arabia as business registrations jump 48% in Q1 2025. Key comapnies include Aquivio, Bain, Blacklane, and Dyson

Business registrations in Saudi Arabia jumped 48% year-on-year during the first quarter of 2025, reaching 154,638 commercial records.

This surge suggests an increased sense of urgency among a growing number of major corporations to enter Saudi Arabia.

This observation is echoed by the findings of AstroLabs' 2025 Saudi Market Entry Report, which showed a 33% increase in urgency as a key motivation for expansion.

Below is a compilation of the most recent global expansions into Saudi Arabia from the past week.

Advanced Hydration Company Aquivio Expands to Saudi Arabia with AstroLabs

One major technology leader, Aquivio, has recently expanded into Saudi Arabia with support from AstroLabs.

Aquivio offers IoT-based smart hydration and beverage dispensing machines that provide premium alkaline hydrogen water with up to 10 flavors, including vitamins, caffeine, or proteins like collagen and amino acids.

The company has already established a showroom and its offices in Saudi Arabia. It has just raised funding from local investors to launch its beverage factory for “Saudi-made’” drinks.

Alongside Saudi Arabia, Aquivio boasts a wide-reaching global presence, with key locations including the US, Taiwan, and Singapore.

Check this link for more details.

Bain & Company Opens RHQ in Riyadh

Consulting is among the top sectors attracting global companies, and Bain & Company’s recent expansion into Riyadh is a clear indicator of that.

The US-based firm has opened a new regional headquarters in the King Abdullah Financial District, its third location in the capital. This new office is Bain’s third location in Riyadh and more than doubles the size of its previous space.

Over the years, the firm has played a crucial role in supporting Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation programs, working closely with both public and private sector clients in advancing strategic initiatives aligned with Vision 2030.

The consulting sector’s growth aligns tightly with Vision 2030’s emphasis on economic diversification and knowledge-based industries.

Find out more about Bain and Co’s RHQ in this article.

50 UK Firms Choose Saudi Arabia for Regional Headquarters

Saudi Arabia remains an attractive hub for the regional headquarters (RHQ) of UK businesses. Currently, around 50 UK companies have their RHQs situated in the Kingdom, joining over 1,300 UK firms already operating in the market.

The surge in the number of UK businesses pursuing a business setup and company formation in Saudi Arabia is credited to the improving economic ties between the two nations.

Bilateral trade between Saudi Arabia and the UK now exceeds $22.5 billion, supported by collaborative projects across hydrogen, infrastructure, and clean technology.

British firms are playing a key role in supporting the fulfillment of Vision 2030’s objectives, as well as making significant contributions to grand initiatives such as giga projects, attracted by immense, once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.

Explore leading sectors influencing a rise in the UK business setup in Saudi Arabia here.

Global Chauffeur Service Provider Blacklane Enters Saudi Arabia

Among notable British companies that have just ventured into Saudi Arabia is Blacklane, the premium chauffeur service brand. The UK firm is part of AstroLabs’ business network in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

Backed by TASARU Mobility Investments, Blacklane officially launched in Saudi Arabia, with plans to introduce electric vehicles and a local Chauffeur Academy.

Blacklane’s strategic expansion is premised on tailoring global service models to fit a culturally rich and evolving marketplace.

Blacklane’s commitment to supporting local talent empowers the company's expansion plans and primes it for further growth and development.

According to the Business Success Index, part of AstroLabs’ Market Entry Report, hiring Saudi professionals helped new entrants build deeper relationships with stakeholders and clients, strengthening their overall market positioning.

Click on this link for more information.

Retail Giant Expands in Saudi Arabia with New Stores

Global retail brand Dyson is doubling down on its Saudi presence.

New store openings in key locations like Jeddah’s Red Sea Mall are meeting growing demand for high-performance, premium technology in many areas, from air purifiers to personal care devices.

The company is tailoring its offerings to meet local preferences while aligning its expansion plan strategy with Vision 2030’s push for transforming the customer experience (CX).

With another store set to open this summer, Dyson’s Saudi expansion indicates a rising appetite for quality and innovation among the Saudi consumer. The move also signals how global tech brands view Saudi Arabia as a strategic marketplace worthy of long-term investment.

The findings of the Business Success Index showed that 74% of successful entrants into the Saudi market adapted their core offerings to align with local expectations.

Read the full announcement here.