Dubai’s AstroLabs opens second co-working space for start-ups

Dubai-based start-up platform AstroLabs has announced the opening of a second co-working space in the city in partnership with US technology firm IBM and Dubai Multi Commodities Centre.

AstroLabs Dubai Lakeside is located in Jumeirah Lakes Towers next to the Parkside location, which already hosts 130 technology companies after opening in 2015.

Read: Google-Partnered Entrepreneur Tech Hub To Open In Dubai

The expansion more than double’s AstroLab’s co-working footprint with new desk space, nine more meeting rooms, a second café and several lounge areas.

“We decided to expand after seeing the local and international demand for a collaborative and co-working community in Dubai,” said AstroLabs founding partner Muhammed Mekki.

AstroLabs is part of the Google for Entrepreneurs partner network that enables members to work from 20 hubs across the world and have access to visiting Google mentors.

The firm also offers a specialised academy for entrepreneurial skills featuring an in-house curriculum, corporate training, open enrolment classes and expert instructors.

AstroLabs said those that choose to setup their companies in the space would benefit from speedier business licencing in the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) free zone and could establish 100 per cent foreign-owned entities.

Companies to have utilised the Dubai co-working space and raised money from investors include delivery app Deliveroo, cleaning start-up Justmop and logistics platform Trukker.

Read: UAE start-up Trukker raises $1.4m

Read: UAE cleaning start-up Justmop.com closes series A funding round

Dubai has seen a number of co-working spaces launched in recent months including the government-backed Area 2071.

Pictures: Dubai ruler launches Area 2071 start-up hub