Mike Purnell

Mike Purnell is a seasoned executive with a multifaceted background in venture capital, clean energy, and strategic management. As the Managing General Partner at EHI Cleantech Ventures, based in Chicago, IL, he has been instrumental in raising and deploying investor capital to drive growth and execution strategies for portfolio companies in clean energy and sustainability. With a keen focus on operational excellence, he oversees daily operations, investor relations, and administrative functions while spearheading initiatives to establish corporate partnerships and identify strategic investment opportunities. Notably, he is currently leading the capital raise of a $25M cleantech/climate tech investment fund, leveraging extensive partnerships and senior operating experience to drive exceptional returns on invested capital. He is also a Board Member of Capital Region Innovation Cluster Consortium(CRICC), a Maryland-based firm committed to helping startups and small businesses gain access to capital and grow. He is leading the board committee to establish a lithium (and raw materials) alliance between key mining partners in Nigeria and the Port of Baltimore Maryland.

Prior to his role at EHI Cleantech Ventures, Mike served as the Executive Director at Mexico Energy Partners, where he played a pivotal role in shaping strategy and direction for projects and investments in clean energy, renewables, and climate technology. With a proven track record of success, he strategically evaluated renewable energy targets, developed acquisition strategies, and structured commercial initiatives, contributing to a 20% internal rate of return (IRR) and the development of over 100 MW of renewable energy projects across Latin America, generating over $100M in revenue.

Mike brings a wealth of experience from his previous leadership roles, including positions at General Electric(GE) Energy, Kellogg's Corporation, and United States Steel. With a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Mississippi State University, he is deeply committed to driving positive change in the industry and is actively engaged in professional affiliations such as the Association for Corporate Growth (ACG) and the Private Directors Association (PDA). As a graduate of the Founders Institute's VC Labs Program and a Venture Cohort Fellow at VC Include, he continues to stay at the forefront of innovation and entrepreneurship in the clean energy and climate technology sectors through the supply chain.