Cornell Emerging Markets Institute

106 teams. 14 countries. 38 universities. One shared mission. 🌎

The 2026 EMC² Mark Mobius Pitch Competition drew entrepreneurs from the USA, Ghana, Colombia, China, India, the UK, and beyond, united by a commitment to building solutions for emerging markets.

To every applicant who submitted their vision, and to the EMC² committee who made this competition possible — thank you. Your work is what makes this community extraordinary.

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A landmark evening at the Cañizares Center for Emerging Markets (EMC²) 🌍

On April 30, we hosted Lord Jim O’Neill — the economist who coined “BRIC” 25 years ago — for a fireside chat on the past, present, and future of global economic growth.

From the rise of BRICS+ to the future of the dollar, global governance, and the next wave of emerging economies, the conversation was as timely as it was insightful.

Proud to call him our 2026 Cañizares Center for Emerging Markets (EMC²) Distinguished Fellow.

🚨 Happening TODAY 🚨

There’s still time to join our EMC² event
Don’t miss the chance to be part of the conversation shaping emerging markets 🌍

Register now - https://cvent.me/Qy3NxW

Last week Friday, April 24, current and alumni Fellows of the Cañizares Center for Emerging Markets (EMC²) gathered at for an evening reception hosted by Michele Grant, EMBA Metro NY ‘27 Class Representative and EMC² Fellows Chair.

The gathering brought together Fellows from across Cornell’s MBA programs, EMBA Metro NY, EMBA/MS Healthcare, Cornell Tech MBA, and Residential MBA, current and alumni alike.

The evening reflected the strength of the EMC² Fellows community as leaders shaping emerging markets across continents, industries, and institutions, with new connections formed across program lines and longstanding relationships deepened.

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⏳ Less than 7 days to go!

Join our upcoming EMC² event and be part of the conversation shaping emerging markets and global business.
Spots are filling up — don’t miss it.

Register now —https://cvent.me/Qy3NxW

"The right emerging markets are the ones that know that democracy has a cost, that democracy takes longer, that you have to bridge the divide, that you have to generate consensus... In any free society, people can't feel intimidated by the government. They have to feel free, think free, act free in order to be prosperous." (41:05)

In this special crossover episode of Beating Sisyphus and Tres Respuestas, we sit down with Iván Duque, President of Colombia (2018–2022), to explore the realities of governing a highly volatile emerging market. President Duque discusses how his faith and principles of Stoicism, along with "radical centrism," helped him navigate a historic convergence of exogenous shocks—from the COVID-19 pandemic to the absorption of two million Venezuelan migrants.

Tune in here!
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OIX8_YjROA&pp=0gcJCdMKAYcqIYzv
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2bOezrCUi1GH11KFHCL0mQ?si=c2EtCFo5TGuMAlgUpKWUGQ

What does business look like across different economic realities?

Spring Treks 2026 🌍

Students traveled to Ghana 🇬🇭 and Italy 🇮🇹 for immersive global business experiences.

In Ghana, students engaged with companies and institutions including Paystack, Hubtel, XpressGas Limited, ’57 Chocolate, Ekumfi Fruits Juices, mPharma, the Ashesi Center for Entrepreneurship, Global Mamas, and the AfCFTA Secretariat.

In Italy, students engaged with leading family businesses including Speri Viticoltori, Sartori Wines, Nardini Distillery, Levoni, Barilla Group, Dallara Group, Davines Group, and Caseificio Bertinelli.

From innovation to legacy, these treks brought classroom learning into the real world.

🚨 Deadline Extended 🚨

You now have 4 more days to apply for the Cornell EMC Pitch Competition

🗓 New deadline: April 20

Don’t miss your chance to pitch your ideas and be part of a global community of innovators 🌍

Apply now — https://business.cornell.edu/centers/ccem/conference/pitch-competition/

Join us for an upcoming EMC² event 🌍

A space to explore emerging markets, global trends, and the ideas shaping the future.
We’re excited to bring together our community for meaningful conversations and new insights.

Register now: https://cvent.me/Qy3NxW

Welcoming the Brazilian Ambassador to Cornell Tech 🇧🇷

Students had the opportunity to engage in conversations on innovation, collaboration, and global partnerships between Brazil and Cornell.

Thank you to Professor Lourdes Casanova and Professor Manoj Thomasfor being part of this visit — and to all the students who made the discussion so engaging.