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Karim Elias El Helou, Finance Expert in Amsterdam, Netherlands
Karim Elias El Helou

Finance Expert in Amsterdam, Netherlands

Member since January 26, 2022
Karim is a 15-year experienced university professor with a PhD in entrepreneurial finance. He established a network of incubators from Dubai, Beirut, and Amsterdam to support over 100 startups to achieve their first financing round. Karim is also the founder and owner of an SME in solar energy storage based in Amsterdam and Beirut. He freelances to act as a consultant for entrepreneurs seeking to transform their business ideas into appealing and solid business plans for investors.
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Career Highlights

Education

Expertise

  • Business Planning
  • Energy Storage
  • Financial Forecasting
  • Financial Management
  • Research
  • Startup Consulting
  • Startup Funding
  • Startup Growth Strategy Development

Employment

  • Founder

    2020 - PRESENT
    The Battery Experts
    • Implemented an innovative and cooperative funding structure, including all employed skills while limiting external funding to short-termed micro-investments. This structure allows founders to maintain full ownership of their startups.
    • Designed financially viable lithium-based solar energy solutions for small businesses and home energy storage to overcome the energy crisis in Lebanon. The solutions were adopted by many NGOs and were implemented in 17 villages.
    • Built a network for DIY enthusiasts about battery recycling and renewable energy connecting battery builders from five countries in the Middle East and the Gulf region.
    Focus areas: Business Planning, Energy Storage

  • Coordinator of Entrepreneurship and Business Planning Courses and Advisor for Graduating Projects

    2018 - PRESENT
    Saint Joseph University
    • Restructured the course offerings of the entrepreneurship department to include real-life simulations about the different techniques for raising startup funds and choosing the most adequate capital structure.
    • Implemented a program allowing graduating students majoring in entrepreneurship to enhance their pitching techniques for investors. The program matched promising business plans initiated by graduating students with local incubators.
    • Participated in round tables with Lebanese parliamentary committees to raise the impact of financial regulations and public policies on the entrepreneurial ecosystem, presenting case studies from Beirut, Amsterdam, and Dubai.
    Focus areas: Startup Consulting, Business Planning, Financial Forecasting

  • Owner and General Manager

    2011 - PRESENT
    Helou Trading
    • Expanded the scope of the business in the Middle East and Gulf Region by substantially increasing the company's distributed portfolio of brands, which increased the operational capital by 200% in three years without any injection of external funds.
    • Built an extensive financial model for analyzing sales over a wide variety of products and wholesale partners in different markets.
    • Hired and managed a diverse community of differently skilled individuals operating and serving several markets.
    Focus areas: Management, Organization Building

  • Finance Instructor and Coordinator for Managerial Finance Courses

    2007 - 2018
    Lebanese American University (LAU)
    • Developed the curriculum and taught classes covering managerial and corporate finance while implementing virtual financial management exercises in academic teaching.
    • Coordinated nine sections of the managerial finance course and established a joint assessment and examination procedure for the finance department.
    • Initiated students to financial modeling for SMEs and coached students who participated in inter-universities competitions.
    Focus areas: Financial Management

Education

  • Doctorate Degree in Entrepreneurship
    2016 - 2020
    International School of Management (ISM) - Paris, France
  • Master's Degree in Finance
    2002 - 2004
    American University of Beirut (AUB) - Beirut, Lebanon

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