Latin America is opening up for lower middle market M&A — but only if you understand the macroeconomic shifts, trade agreements, and country-specific risks first. In this episode of The M&A Mastermind Podcast, host Nick Olsen sits down with Stephen Marks, founder of Emmersion Capital, to unpack cross-border investment opportunities across Brazil, Colombia, and Venezuela, the real impact of the Mercosur trade agreement, and where private equity firms and family offices are finding the strongest arbitrage in the region today.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
-
What’s driving Latin America’s macroeconomic shift — and what it means for cross-border deal flow
-
How the Mercosur trade agreement is reshaping investment opportunities across South America
-
The most common misconceptions lower middle market advisors have about doing business in Latin America
-
Where the real opportunities are in healthcare, technology, and manufacturing right now
-
Venezuela’s market outlook: what the risks actually look like on the ground
-
How Brazil and Colombia compare as entry points for U.S. investors
-
How private equity firms and family offices are structuring deals and arbitrage plays in the region
About the Guest:
Stephen Marks is the founder of Emmersion Capital, a firm that invests in and builds lower middle market companies in the U.S. paired with complementary operations in Latin America, and Managing Partner of Apertura, a nearshore talent and labor solutions company. Stephen has spent more than a decade advising private equity firms, family offices, and middle market companies on domestic and cross-border opportunities across the region (Stephen Marks).
About the Show:
The M&A Mastermind Podcast provides actionable insights and effective strategies tailored for dealmakers in the lower middle market. Hosted by Nick Olsen, the show features conversations with leading industry experts who share valuable knowledge on industry intelligence, deal management, collaborative successes, and specialized expertise. Lower middle market M&A advisors, boutique investment bankers, and the business owners they support will find practical tactics they can apply immediately.
Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe and leave a rating on your platform of choice — it helps more lower middle market dealmakers find the show.
Tune in Every Week:
Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@cornerstone_intl_alliance
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-m-a-mastermind-podcast/id1726394585
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4fpVjEXbJ0FXKMgEK0m7QQ
Find all our episodes at https://cornerstoneia.com/podcast/
Resources & Links:
Stephen Marks LinkedIn
Emmersion Capital
Nick Olsen LinkedIn
Cornerstone International Alliance
Related Episodes: Brazil is a Market to Know in M&A Feat. Leonardo Toscano | Ep. 144
In this episode, Leo Toscano, Managing Director of Excelia and partner of Cornerstone International Alliance, shares insights on the Brazilian M&A market, cross-border opportunities, and key industries driving growth. Discover how Brazil’s unique economic landscape offers lucrative prospects for lower middle market international investors and advisors.