Michael Whelchel

CEO of Big Path Capital

Michael Whelchel brings over two decades of experience financing, acquiring, selling, growing, and operating growth-oriented companies to Big Path Capital. Prior to cofounding Big Path Capital, he worked with both start-ups and later-stage companies in a range of industries, playing key roles in the early development of two private equity firms focused on growth-oriented companies. Michael managed the full investment process including sourcing, deal structure, due diligence, negotiations, financing, portfolio management, sales on exit, and fund raising.

In 2007, with the old economy at a dead end, Michael established Big Path Capital to advance an expansive economy built on natural, social, and financial capital. In partnership with Shawn Lesser, Michael has founded a number of first of their kind initiatives all of which demonstrate SmarterMoney+ – maximize return, maximize impact. Those include the Five Fund Forum, Impact Capitalism Summit, and Impact & Sustainable Trade Missions.

Michael received his BA summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa from the University of the South in Sewanee, TN and received a joint MBA and MEM (Master of Engineering Management) 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.