Michael Whelchel

About Michael Whelchel

Michael is Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Big Path Capital, a leading boutique impact investment bank focused on providing Corporate Finance, M&A, and Placement Agent services to impact companies and funds globally. Big Path has worked with over 120 impact and sustainable companies and funds, more than any firm in the sector. In 2007 the old economy driven by the single gear of profit maximization reached a dead end in the financial crisis. It was a moment of reckoning during which Michael left his fifteen-year career in private equity to form Big Path Capital with his partner, Shawn Lesser, leveraging the engine of capitalism to build an expansive economy founded on natural, social, and financial capital. Recognizing that impact investing isn’t just a different way of investing but a superior way of deploying capital, Michael is committed to challenging the status quo and to raising the expectation of capital. In this vein, Big Path has created a number of first-in-class initiatives demonstrating SmarterMoney+: Maximize impact, Maximize return. These include the Five Fund Forum, Impact Capitalism Summit, and Impact & Sustainable Trade Missions. Michael received a BA summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa from the University of the South in Sewanee, TN and a MBA from the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University. Michael is an advisory board member of the Croatan Institute and the Babson Center for Global Commerce and is a member of the Social Venture Network and Net Impact.Michael Whelchel is a Registered Representative of Finalis Securities LLC Member FINRA/SIPC.

Experience

1. Co-founder & CEO

   Big Path Capital

   Jul 2007 — Present

   Big Path Capital is a leading boutique investment banking advisory firm working with leading mission-driven companies and private equity funds helping in mergers and acquisitions and in capital raising. In 2007 the old economy driven by the single gear of profit maximization reached a dead end. It was a moment of reckoning during which Michael Whelchel and Shawn Lesser formed Big Path Capital to advance an expansive economy built on natural, social, and financial capital.Today this new path, conducting business for profit and impact, represents the largest investment opportunity of our era. Enduring value is being created through strategies that leverage the inherent link between natural, social, and financial capital. What was marginal in 2007, today is mainstream.Securities are offered through Finalis Securities LLC Member FINRA / SIPC. Big Path Capital is not a registered broker-dealer, and Finalis Securities LLC and Big Path Capital are separate, unaffiliated entities. Finalis Securities LLC, Office of Supervisory Jurisdiction is located at 450 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10017, 80••••••18.

Education

• Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management

  MBA, Manufacturing, Entreprenuership

  1993 — 1995

• The University of the South

  BA, Mathematics

  1985 — 1989

Skills

• Corporate Finance
• Cleantech
• Deal Sourcing
• Divestitures
• Investments
• Lbo
• Emerging Markets
• Strategy
• Private Placements
• Valuation
• Funding
• Venture Financing
• M&a Experience
• Ipo
• Business Planning
• Due Diligence
• Hedge Funds
• Buyouts
• Restructuring
• Business Valuation
• Structured Finance
• Capital
• Project Finance
• Alternative Investments
• Private Equity
• Angel Investing
• Sustainability
• Financial Structuring
• Capital Markets
• Financial Advisory
• Financial Markets
• Investment Banking
• Financial Institutions
• Venture Capital
• Portfolio Management
• Mergers
• Start-Ups
• Investment Management
• Leveraged Finance
• Corporate Development