Michael Whelchel

Michael Whelchel is Partner and Founder of Watershed Capital– a strategic financial advisory firm working with triple bottom line companies. With the clear objective to advance a sustainable economy. Watershed Capital assists growth companies in raising capital and in acquisitions, mergers, and exits.

Michael has sixteen years experience financing, acquiring, selling, growing, and operating small and middle market companies. His experience has included start-ups and later-stage companies in a range of industries. He has managed the full investment process including sourcing, deal structure, due diligence, negotiations, financing, portfolio management, sales on the exit, and fund raising.

Prior to founding Watershed Capital, Michael was Partner with Morris Capital Management, a private equity firm making control investments in distressed and underperforming companies. He worked with the private equity firm, American Industrial Partners, working on the operating side of several of their portfolio companies. He managed in various operating capacities ranging from general management, quality management, manufacturing, and sales.

Beginning in the early 90’s, Michael has sought out opportunities where business and social and environmental objectives intersect. Michael has worked at ShoreBank, the nation’s first community development and environmental bank holding company and a private equity firm that invested in troubled businesses typically in rural areas in the Southeast.

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 has FINRA Series 7 and Series 63 registrations. Michael is a board member of the Green Chamber of the South and is a member of the Social Venture Network, Investors Circle, Net Impact, and US Green Building Council. 

Workshop

Financing the Green Economy

To fulfill its promise of creating a sustainable economy, green companies require capital to grow. Entrepreneurs who are growing "green" companies are pioneering new markets and new approaches to building and managing companies. These companies are aligned with an emerging pool of capital that is dedicated to investing in the thesis of "People, Planet, Profits" and recognizing that a balance of all three is the only way to grow a truly sustainable enterprise.  This session will provide insight on various sources of equity available to growing companies, what equity investors are looking for, what are the benefit and challenges of an equity investment, and other relevant topics.