Early Life and Education
Marcos Eduardo Galperin was born on October 31, 1971, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, into a wealthy family with business interests. He attended St. Andrew's Scots School in Olivos before studying finance at the Wharton School, graduating in 1994. He earned an MBA from Stanford University in 1999.
Rise to Success
Galperin co-founded MercadoLibre in 1999 while at Stanford University. Inspired by eBay, he aimed to create a similar e-commerce platform for the Latin American market. MercadoLibre quickly grew to become the leading e-commerce site in the region. The company had its IPO in 2007.
Key Business Strategies
MercadoLibre's success is attributed to several key strategies, including expanding into fintech with Mercado Pago, logistics with Mercado Envíos, and advertising with Mercado Ads. The company operates in 18 countries and has a diversified business model to boost e-commerce. As of Q1 2025, MercadoLibre reported $5.9 billion revenue and $494 million net income.
Philanthropy
Galperin supports initiatives focusing on education and entrepreneurship through MercadoLibre, including programs like Certified Tech Developer and Networks for the Future. He also invested in a professional rugby team, the Miami Sharks.