Michael Puscar
| Michael Puscar | |
|---|---|
| Residence | Medellín, Colombia |
| Education | B.S. Temple University |
| Occupation |
Entrepreneur Venture capitalist Philanthropist |
| Known for | Founder of Yuxi Pacific and GITP Ventures |
| Spouse(s) | Johana Buriticá |
Michael Puscar is an American entrepreneur and venture capitalist. Puscar has founded several companies including Yuxi Pacific, GITP Ventures, Miguelo Romano and Betiply, among others. He is a part of the business community changing the economy in Medellin, Colombia.
In 2013, Michael Puscar was a passenger on a Alitalia flight when it crash-landed at Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport in Rome, Italy. Puscar captured video of the crash from his seat on the plane, and this video was distributed in several major media outlets.[1][2]
Business ventures
Yuxi Pacific
In 2005, Puscar launched Yuxi Pacific, a professional services firm founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and focused on the creation of digital products for the publishing industry.[3] In 2011, Puscar brought Yuxi Pacific to Medellin, Colombia.[3] By 2013, the company had more than 100 employees in Medellín and had quadrupled its annual revenues.[3] Puscar has been dubbed a hero in the "Medellin Miracle," a transformation in which the city changes its reputation from the land of violent drug cartels to a modern metropolis.[3][4] While Puscar supports government backing, he ultimately believes private initiatives will ultimately lead to the rebranding of Colombia.[5] Puscar has written about the Colombian economy.[6] Puscar has given back to the community, donating computers to local Colombian schools.[5]
GITP Ventures
Puscar founded GITP Ventures, a venture capital firm in South America.[7] Through GITP, Puscar invested in the journalism company "Colombia Reports."[8]
Miguelo Romano
In 2014, Puscar co-founded Miguelo Romano, the world’s first and only provider of blade and bullet resistant consumer clothing that is lightweight.[9][10][11] Puscar was interviewed by Vice Media regarding the company.[12]
Betiply
In 2015, Puscar launched Betiply.[13] Betiply is the world’s first peer-to-peer, worldwide on-line marketplace that engages sports, politics and pop culture enthusiasts with contests in their areas of interest.[13] In 2016, Betiply brought daily fantasy sports to Mexico.[14]
References
- ↑ "Video captures panic INSIDE plane during Rome crash-landing". AOL Travel. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
- ↑ "Italy plane crash seen from inside the aircraft". Telegraph. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
- 1 2 3 4 Moules, Jonathan. "Start-ups rise as murders plummet in Medellín". Financial Times. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
- ↑ Foster, Nick. "Goodbye Gangland". Financial Times. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
- 1 2 Egusa, Conrad. "Colombia Is One Of Latin America's Most Promising New Tech Hubs". Tech Crunch. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
- ↑ Puscar, Michael. "Colombia's currency conundrum". Colombia Reports. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
- ↑ Egusa, Conrad. "Featured founder: Michael Puscar, pioneering VC in South America". Geektime. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
- ↑ "COLOMBIA REPORTS RAISES FUNDING FROM GITP VENTURES". LAVCA. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
- ↑ Benscome, Melanie. "Knife-Resistant Clothing Line Miguelo Romano: From Medellin to the U.S.". NBC News. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
- ↑ Glade, Jim. "INTERVIEW WITH MICHAEL PUSCAR, FOUNDER OF MIGUELO ROMANO". The Startup Magazine. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
- ↑ "Míguelo Romano: High-Tech Menswear Inspired by the Streets of Medellín". Medellin Living. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
- ↑ Grothaus, Michael. "This Stab-Proof Clothing Aims to Keep Medellin Safe". Vice. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
- 1 2 "Entrepreneur turned VC returns to his roots to found Betiply". GITP. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
- ↑ Hinchliffe, Tim. "Betiply brings Daily Fantasy Sports market to Mexico". The Sociable. Retrieved 12 August 2016.