Mohamed Karim El-Khatib: A Lebanese entrepreneur’s daring dream come true

At a time when many Lebanese were fleeing the country, after the economic collapse and Beirut port explosion, Mohamed Karim El Khatib returned with 10,000 dollars in his pocket and a plan to build. He founded MK² Construction & Development in 2020 and grew a portfolio worth 50 million dollars in projects. He has an upcoming 40 million Twin Tower development plan for Downtown Beirut, MK² Towers.

After executing ventures around the world with Dar Al Handasah and later in France, spearheading projects with internationally acclaimed Zaha Hadid, Karim finds few endeavors intimidating.

After studying at the American University of Beirut and later specializing in real estate finance and development at MIT, Karim spent years sharpening both the technical and entrepreneurial instincts that would later define MK².

Unshakable urge

He was so committed to creating something of his own that he started constructing his own projects on weekends, holidays, in the evenings, and even during lunch breaks while employed from 2012 till 2020 at Dar Al Handasah, one of the world’s top consultancies.

His first year on the job he built a three-storey, nine-apartment building in nine months on his father’s land in the village and sold it. Karim got excited over his first win, and his reputation grew in the region since he created the building to perfection and up to the area’s standards.

Another building was under construction next to him, and it was halted as they couldn’t compete with Karim’s structure.

I bought it and once I started selling my apartments, built it and sold it.

He eventually left Dar because it was time to take his shot in entrepreneurship, however the port explosion changed his plans.

In 2020, he left for a dream job in Paris, secured through professors from a top school in Paris, École Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées, where he specialized in bridges and structures from 2010 till 2012. After the Thawra, crisis, and the port explosion, anyone who could manage it was leaving Lebanon. “I didn’t want to initially, but I got the opportunity to be the principal consultant in Setec TPI, one of the leading Engineering Consultancy companies in Europe, on the Grand Paris project expanding the metro”, shares Karim.

The day he was traveling for Paris, saying goodbye to his family and friends, he told them: “I’m coming back, I won’t be long”. While Karim was there, he was afraid to repeat a particular cycle. When he was in Dar, he would say tomorrow he’ll quit and tomorrow got delayed due to the promotions early in his career.

Risky business

In six months, he quit his job. When he came back, his parents were against it and called him crazy. Through the process of launching a business in uncertain times, his faith was solidified. “I believe it’s on you to try all day long, make moves not knowing where the opportunity will come from, and it’s not necessarily the one you’re trying for".

God sees you’re pursuing things vehemently, and he rewards you according to your efforts.

When he came back to Lebanon, he didn’t know how to get started. With three buildings under his belt and an Instagram page that helped sell them, someone in AUB took notice and contacted him to ask if he’s interested in participating in his first tender where huge companies and their engineers were in attendance. “I thought I’m not going to stand a chance”. Going in with a “nothing to lose” mentality, his drive and ambition won the tender.

Distinct edge

He reached a point where he was landing 90% of projects with his competitive prices. “We made a name for ourselves through meticulous work and follow-through. I welcome any impossible projects with open arms”, says Karim daringly.

A perfectionist, he intervenes in the smallest of details. Though he works with site engineers and project managers, the clients feel more at ease dealing with him. “I’m always on stand-by and the phone is with me day and night”.

In this particular field, conflict with partners, clients, and employees is inevitable. He knows how to speak with every individual, from the people with the smallest roles to the most important. “This is true intelligence in life. You can’t be rigid, you must know when to be firm, and when to be malleable”. Trust is another valuable weapon in his arsenal. “Once the client trusts you, the game is won”.

Challenges cannot be bypassed when building and scaling a construction company in Lebanon nowadays. Competitors tried to tear him down but once he became a strong contender mutual respect was established. When he started getting many projects, one of his competitors sent a man to scout him. Not recognizing Karim, he gave him an offer as a scheme to land more projects for their company.

Collateral damage

Entrepreneurship is not without its sacrifices. Karim has lost a lot of people along the way having little time left for relationships. On a mission to raise capital, he didn’t want to employ people without guarantees of success and was frequently left with no money in his pocket. “The closest people to you have no clue about the stress and pressure you’re under”. They told him: “You’re not the first person to work hard”.

An engagement was the price he had to pay for this lifestyle. His fiancé was the only one who encouraged him to come back. “After I returned, with only 10,000$ in my pocket, we were parked in Downtown next to Metropole. I was on edge, and before stepping out I asked her: what am I going to do now? How do I start?”

She told him: “Don’t worry I’m by your side, step by step”. She used to bring him lunch every day and was supportive for a while. Nonetheless, he couldn’t give her the time and attention she needed, and she had to put up with his occasional outbursts. 

A bright and bold future

On the horizon, MK² Towers will no doubt play a big part in Downtown Beirut’s next chapter. “We want to erect many buildings with one spirit, like what Emaar and Damac have done in Dubai. Most people have discouraged me from this project and that is precisely why I took it on”, says Karim.

As for leaving Lebanon, it is out of the question for him. “I love Lebanon so much. I believe in this country and its potential, I’d like to live in it with my kids in the future”. Despite the war, he was convincing expats to invest in Lebanon. One of the biggest investors in MK² Towers is a Lebanese man who’s lived his whole life in the United States. He’s thrilled over the project and got on board right away. He saw firsthand that the Lebanese expats’ love for their country runs deep. In defying the odds stacked against him, Karim is betting on Lebanon with everything he has at stake.