Finding ways to innovate in an industry built on solid foundations — both literal and figurative — isn’t easy, but it’s what The Led Lion is working toward. By introducing technologies like 3D concrete printing (3DCP), this Westland, Michigan-based construction company seeks to expand its capabilities.
Founded by Alex Mokahal in 2014, Led Lion began with residential handyman work. Today, however, the company is almost exclusively focused on new commercial construction and recently entered the realm of federal contracting. Hussein Mokahal has since joined his father, Alex, in the family business, which now has 15 employees and is growing exponentially.
Despite the business’ evolution, co-owner Hussein didn’t begin his career in the construction industry. Mokahal started in the medical field, pursuing biology as a first-generation college student before attending medical school. During the pandemic, Mokahal realized that a career in medicine wasn’t for him. At the same time, he purchased his first home — when many construction companies were unable to work. Determined to remodel the house himself, Mokahal found home renovation tutorials on YouTube and fell in love with bringing his ideas to life. He obtained a builder’s license, joined forces with his father and dove headfirst into improving Led Lion.
When Mokahal joined the company, it quickly became clear that systems and processes were needed. “It was a lot of pen and paper, and speaking to people,” he recalls.
This led Mokahal to tighten those processes, an effort which paid off when Led Lion was asked to work on the 2024 NFL Draft Experience. Held in Detroit’s Campus Martius Park, Led Lion constructed the first prayer halls for the NFL festival.
“I just knew everything was falling into place at that point,” Mokahal says.
Indeed, there are several breakthroughs on the horizon for Led Lion, one of which is a patent-pending 3D concrete printing technology. While 3DCP is commonly used in residential spaces, Mokahal views it as an under-utilized application in bridge building.
According to the American Road & Transportation Builders Association, nearly 42,000 bridges across the United States are in poor condition. Mokahal’s response: 3DCP. With shorter construction times and lower material costs, this technology could address failing bridges, he explains. COBOD, a leading Danish company in the field, cites that with 3DCP, projects can be completed 50% faster, with costs that are 30% lower.
Mokahal submitted his patent for a robot with 3DCP capabilities in November 2025 and was granted pending status.
To further augment Led Lion’s sales channels, Mokahal is also pursuing a master’s degree in architecture at Lawrence Technological University. As a licensed builder, he’s found that architects are often an unwitting bottleneck in construction because they’re not always on-site.
Mokahal hopes to change that by bringing his builder’s expertise into the classroom. He’s found it useful to have first-hand knowledge of real-world scenarios that curriculum alone doesn’t cover.
“I haven’t been able to take my architecture skills and apply them in real life, whereas I have been able to apply my real life to architecture,” Mokahal says.
In pursuit of further learning, Mokahal has participated in programs co-hosted by the Edward Lowe Foundation and Michigan Economic Development Corp. Introduced to such programs by Rodney Parkkonen of the MEDC, Mokahal finds that among retreats, roundtables and other engagements, he most enjoys the opportunity to meet other entrepreneurs.
“I feel like I’ve gained much more insight from actually speaking to people one on one,” he says. “It’s one thing to share with everybody — it needs to be done — but when you start getting into the nooks and crannies in one-on-one conversations, that allows you to unfurl.”
The perfect example of this connection is Mokahal’s partnership with mentor Luke Barber. The two were matched as a mentor-mentee pair during the American Academy of Entrepreneurs program, which kicks off with a retreat followed by six months of one-on-one discussions.
“I don’t know how you selected us, but it was fantastic. We were hitting on every cylinder,” Mokahal says. “There are real-life scenarios that Luke has gone through that I haven’t yet.” Together, the two worked on implementing QuickBooks at Led Lion, as well putting an estate plan in place.
The Middle East and North African (MENA) Chamber of Commerce has also played a large role in facilitating these business changes and adding to Mokahal’s network. He has served on their board since 2024, helping drive economic growth in Michigan and beyond.
With so much to look forward to, Mokahal feels encouraged by the direction that Led Lion is heading: a focus on innovation, while remaining true to its roots. “The foundation fell in my lap at the perfect time,” he says.
