By Irwin Speizer
Photographs by Ed Anderson
|
| Michael Stark: I was really into this process of innovation |
When Michael Stark began hearing glowing reports about First Solar, a company that produces solar cells and technology, he thought it might make a fine private company investment for his venture fund. But by the time he discovered the company’s potential, it was headed for an initial public offering.
So Stark swapped hats, switching from venture capitalist to hedge fund manager. He bought into First Solar around the time of its IPO in November 2006, with the stock trading at about $24. By December 2007, First Solar was trading at $266.
The First Solar bet is vintage Stark, who moves seamlessly between private and public investments. His company, San Francisco investment firm Crosslink Capital, runs an unusual hybrid model that seeks profits across the spectrum of growth companies, from start-ups like First Solar...