Leveraging Economic Shifts and Corporate Knowledge can Unlock New Opportunities in Emerging Markets

 

Identifying and capitalizing on emerging market opportunities is crucial for entrepreneurs and investors in today’s fast-paced global economy. With entrepreneurship in Latin America echoing the boom of Silicon Valley during the dot-com era, today’s episode dives into the dynamic growth and untapped opportunities in this vibrant region.

Amidst this backdrop, what drives successful navigation and investment in these high-risk, high-reward environments? What strategies can entrepreneurs and investors employ to capitalize on the burgeoning opportunities in Latin America?

In this episode of  Get Vertical! with Mike McCalley, today’s guest, Mike Purnell, a General Partner at EHI Cleantech Ventures, shares his journey from corporate leadership at GE to spearheading entrepreneurial ventures and investments in Latin America’s emerging markets.

Key Points of Discussion:

  • The rising entrepreneurial spirit and innovation across unexpected regions in Latin America.
  • How past corporate experiences can inform and enhance entrepreneurial success.
  • The importance of building a team-oriented culture in both corporate and startup environments.

About the Guest: Mike Purnell boasts a rich background, beginning with a degree in mechanical engineering from Mississippi State University. He transitioned from a project engineer to leading functional business units at GE, leveraging his extensive corporate experience to enter the entrepreneurial and private equity spaces. Currently, Mike is a General Partner at EHI CleanTech Ventures, focusing on the intersection of technology and emerging markets.

Recent Episodes

Stepping into a leadership role today isn’t just a step up—it’s a shift into constant visibility, where expectations arrive immediately and the margin for error narrows. As organizations flatten structures and demand faster decisions, newly promoted leaders are expected to deliver impact from the outset, often without the space to fully adjust. According to…

In an era where precision manufacturing often hides behind the simplicity of everyday products, the world of rubber components offers a striking reminder that complexity frequently lives beneath the surface. What appears to be a modest gasket or sealing element is, in reality, the product of highly specialized engineering, rigorous testing, and an…

Manufacturing excellence today is less about scale alone and more about precision, control, and adaptability—especially in industries where even microscopic inconsistencies can have outsized consequences. As global supply chains grow more complex and regulatory standards tighten, facilities that invest in specialized processes and contamination control are quietly becoming the backbone of innovation. Segregated…