Martín Escobari, Co-President and Head of Global Growth Equity at General Atlantic, shares his fascinating journey from a communist upbringing in Bolivia to thriving in Brazil's e-commerce sector. He discusses navigating investment opportunities amidst chaos, highlighting sectors like technology and healthcare driving growth in emerging markets. Escobari also emphasizes the importance of health span and innovative solutions for societal challenges. His insights on patience in investment and reflections on life offer valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs and investors.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
From Bolivian Roots to Harvard
Martín Escobari grew up in Bolivia with communist parents who disdained capitalism.
He was the first Bolivian in 350 years to attend Harvard, which opened vast opportunities for him.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Building Submarino in Brazil
Martín co-founded Submarino, an early Brazilian online retailer, amid a challenging economic backdrop.
The company experienced rapid growth, near bankruptcy, and eventual recovery, compressing decades of experience into seven years.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Lean Into Chaos Opportunities
Chaos in emerging markets teaches that crises are opportunities for transformational change.
Investors should believe in improvement and lean in when others are scared, staying true to business fundamentals.
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Barry speaks with Martín Escobari, Co-President and Head of Global Growth Equity at General Atlantic. Prior to joining General Atlantic in 2012, Martín served as Managing Director at Advent International and Co-Founder and CFO of Submarino.com, a leading Brazilian online retailer. He also spent time with The Boston Consulting Group. In addition to his current role, Martín is also Chair of General Atlantic's Global Growth Equity Investment Committee and he serves on the Executive and Portfolio Committees as well. On this episode, Barry and Martín discuss the challenges he faced as an entrepreneur, his time at General Atlantic, and the macro picture in South America.