Muhammad Binghatti is a Dubai-based entrepreneur who began his journey into investing at an age most kids are focused on school — grade six, to be exact.
Today, he is the Chairman of Binghatti Group, a leading real estate development company known for its unique design philosophy and strong brand identity.
From overcoming early challenges, including selling his own car to pay employee salaries, to navigating unexpected ventures like the juice manufacturing industry, Binghatti’s path to success has been shaped by bold decisions, resilience, and a relentless belief in learning from setbacks.
His passion for innovation in real estate, combined with his commitment to supporting local talent, has made him one of the most recognized business figures in Dubai.
The story of Muhammad Binghatti
“Success stories in entrepreneurship start with a bold vision, persistence, and the willingness to learn from failures,” Muhammad Binghatti told his audience at the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival (SEF) 2025.
Leading a talk titled “Becoming Incomparable: The Impact of Good Design,” he shared insights on overcoming challenges, creating a distinct brand identity, and his unwavering belief in real estate as a long-term investment.
Content Creator Abdullah Mohammad Al Raesi moderated the talk.
One of the world’s wealthiest individuals, Jeff Bezos, had an early investor — his parents — who put $245,000 into Amazon. That investment reportedly saw a return of 12 million per cent. Binghatti used this example to highlight a fundamental truth: one can start from anywhere with any capital.
He said: “You can be partners with your siblings, parents, or friends. The important thing is to start somewhere and keep moving forward. I started investing when I was in grade six.”
Binghatti sold his car to pay salaries
Binghatti shared that one of his most challenging moments was selling his car to pay employee salaries. Another was a venture in the juice manufacturing industry, far removed from his real estate expertise.
“We expanded massively, but circumstances didn’t work in our favour. We couldn’t sell enough, and our expenses skyrocketed. For three years, I worked to find a buyer, and realized selling a juice factory is much harder than selling real estate. Eventually, I travelled to Saudi Arabia with samples in my bag and secured a deal.”
‘Turn losses into opportunities’
This experience taught him that entrepreneurs must know how to turn losses into opportunities. Quoting Nelson Mandela, Binghatti said, “I never lose. I either win or learn.”
“I have understood that if you want to succeed, you must believe in God, work hard, and understand that failure is an essential part of the journey.”
When he started in real estate, Binghatti observed that branding is often associated with fashion, automobiles, or luxury goods. But why not real estate? This question drove him to redefine how properties are perceived.
“When you hear Ferrari, you think red. There’s a clear design DNA. But why hasn’t anyone done this in real estate? I wanted to create a brand so distinct that even a five-year-old could recognise it.”
The vision materialised through a strong architectural identity, integrating bold colours and unique designs that set Binghatti projects apart.
“At Binghatti, we see ourselves as a brand first and a real estate developer second,” he opined.
Offering support to the youth
Supporting young local talent is at the core of Binghatti’s initiatives. His program for Emiratis has created significant opportunities.
The company is now building its new headquarters, which will include a dedicated centre for youth training and development.
In conclusion, he advised the youth to be patient and that strategic decision-making is key to long-term success in real estate. He believes success follows five simple steps: Try, Fail, Learn, Fix, and Try again.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
